Siphon for a sink: types and sizes of device

Installing a siphon for a sink, which serves to drain into the sewer, is a fairly simple task. For its implementation it is not at all necessary to resort to the help of professional plumbers. All that is required is a minimal set of tools and knowledge about the principle of operation and the arrangement of this device. It is much more difficult to choose a model that is suitable for all parameters. Consider the pros and cons of various modifications and useful additions to them.

Structure

The siphon is a metal or plastic structure, which includes a reservoir and several nozzles. One connects to the drain hole of the sink, the other to the sewer. It is in them that water enters when we wash or wash the dishes. Initially, the liquid from the sink enters the siphon, and from it - through a curved pipe into a common sewer riser. A metal mesh located at the base of the device, at the hole of the sink, acts as a fine-mesh filter, protecting the system from blockages.

The curvature of the siphon provides a delay in a certain volume of liquid, forming a water trap that prevents sewer odors from entering the house.

The purchased siphon kit usually includes a case, inlet and outlet pipes, metal mesh, pads and other consumables. Experts recommend purchasing models equipped with overflow, which helps to avoid flooding.

What are siphons?

There are several types of sink drains, which differ in structural, external parameters, as well as the material of manufacture. We offer to understand them.

Pipe siphon

Pipe - a popular option for a ceramic sink in the bathroom. You should not install it in the kitchen, since it is more difficult to clean it than other devices. These models are compact in size and attractive in design. A water seal is formed due to the curvature of the pipe. The lower knee of the device is usually removable. To clean it will have to be dismantled.

The disadvantages of this siphon include the following points:

• A shallow water lock, due to which the liquid evaporates quickly enough, and if the sink is rarely used, an unpleasant odor may appear in the room.
• Rigid construction requires careful selection of size: the siphon tap must be located so so that it can be connected to the sewage system, installation is permissible only on standard drainage pipes.

Bottle

Bottle siphon is the most popular type. Its design evokes associations with a flask or a bottle, hence the name. The exhaust pipe can be either rigid or flexible corrugated.

Benefits of Bottle Accessories:

1. The siphon device allows you to easily dismantle its most clogged part.
2. This model is easy to maintain.
3. Bottle drain does not need to be replaced for an extended period of time.
4. There is always water in the hydraulic lock, therefore the apartment is reliably protected from the sewer smell.
5. If small things get into the drain, they can be removed without problems by unscrewing the flask.

It has a bottle version and some disadvantages: it accumulates pollution in the drain tank (hair, thread, fat), as well as more than other varieties, is prone to leakage due to the greater number of compounds.

Corrugated

Such a device is easy to install, consists of an outlet and a curved corrugated pipe.

Benefits of using corrugated basin siphon:

1. It can be connected to a sink and sewer risers even with their non-standard location.
2. Easy to install and affordable.
3. The bend for the hydraulic lock is formed by the installer independently.
4. Due to the lack of connections, the likelihood of leakage is virtually eliminated.
5. Regardless of the distance separating the sink and the floor, a good drainage will be provided.

Like bottled, corrugated stock has its drawbacks:

• due to roughness of the inner surface, deposits of debris and dirt are quickly formed on it;
• hot water adversely affects the strength of the corrugated pipe.

Flat siphon

A kind of bottle device. The main difference is the compact size and flat bulb. It is used in cases when there is simply no place for a standard product, for example, when installing a sink above a washing machine.

Benefits flat siphon:

• Due to its compactness it can be installed in the most inaccessible places.
• It is washed as easily as a regular bottle model.
• Allows you to rationally use the space under the washbasin, for example, for installing a household appliance or cabinet.

Additional functional elements

Siphons installed under the sink may have the following accessories:

• Overflow overflow. If the washbasin is equipped with a second upper drain, a siphon is installed under it, equipped with an additional pipe (overflow). This will prevent accidental flooding.
• Bottom valve. The mechanism is installed in the drain hole instead of the grate and performs the function of a cork.

• Additional side fitting for connecting household appliances (washing machine or dishwasher).
• Duplicate tap. It has a special siphon designed for sinks with two bowls. We choose a drain for them with the required number of taps. Such a device is shown in the photo below.

Possible manufacturing materials

Materials used to create siphons:

• Metal. Products are distinguished by decorative attractiveness and increased strength, but over time they can corrode and oxidize. They are made, as a rule, of brass, less often - of bronze, copper, stainless steel. Most common chrome plated models. The main drawback is the difficulty in choosing the size, because it will not be easy to shorten the metal pipe.

Chrome products are chosen for hanging and overhead sinks mounted on the countertop. Being in sight, they not only do not spoil the design of the washbasin, but also complement it favorably.

• Plastic. Due to its affordable price and good performance, plastic products are in great demand and popularity. They are light in weight, simple in design, resistant to household chemicals. In the connection nodes, the plastic siphon is equipped with rubber seals, which increases the product's service life and tightness. In the assortment line of many manufacturers there are models with a special antibacterial coating of the internal cavity, which prevents the sedimentation of fat and dirt and reduces the rate of clogging.

Basic selection options

When choosing a sink siphon model, a number of parameters need to be considered:

• Standard sink. If a standard washbasin is installed, the selection of a suitable siphon is not a problem. But in the case of mounting a model of a sink made to order or installed in a non-standard way, you may have to suffer with a choice. In such cases, the most suitable option is a corrugated device. Most likely, it will turn out to connect a bottle siphon, but a hard pipe is suitable only for typical cases.
• The appeal of execution. The choice presented by modern manufacturers is so wide that you can choose the optimal design even for such an unremarkable device as a siphon.

Be sure to check the completeness, the number of washers and gaskets of the model you like, otherwise connecting can cause certain difficulties and inconveniences.

• Throughput. This indicator is extremely important, because large volumes of discharged water require large-diameter pipes.

If you plan to connect additional devices to the device under the sink, you should buy a bottle siphon equipped with a tee in advance, as well as with large diameter pipes.

• The system "drain-overflow". The presence of two branches (for the main flow and overflow) serves as additional insurance against flooding.

• The distance between the outlet sewer hole and the neck of the sink. If this indicator is non-standard, you will have to buy additional adapters.
• Price level. The difference in cost between plastic and metal products can be very impressive, when choosing, you need to focus on your own financial capabilities. But do not forget that the avaricious pays twice. Choosing the simplest and cheapest polyethylene siphons, you need to be prepared for the fact that they will soon need to be replaced.

Having understood the design features and differences of the main types of siphons for sinks, you can easily choose the suitable option. If the product is standard, then it will not be difficult to install it, to get the necessary knowledge, just watch a few training videos from experienced masters.