Does Your Shower Waste Need a Trap in the Plumbing?

by Maria
0 comment

Round floor waste and plumbing traps, which happen to be the curving section of the pipe located right under the sink at home, play a significant role in plumbing fixtures within a building. Shower drain pipes should always have a P-trap. Without which, the health, as well as the safety of every individual in the building, shall be compromised by different sewer gasses that penetrate into the building.

Trap Failure

The P-trap is going to fall in its responsibility of blocking the sewer gases from penetrating the tub in the shower drainage system if the trap is deprived of water.

Leaks within the trap of the drainage systems or rather connections on the opposite side of the trap can channel out enough water from the drainage trap that does not block sewer gasses effectively.

In case the leaks are out of use often, water will evaporate from the trap. So how quickly or soon the water evaporates is going to be dependent on the humidity levels found in your area.

 Sewer gases

In many cases, sewer gases do not just smell bad, particularly if they have invaded your home. They also harm the health of every individual who inhales them for a significant period.  

Other than the health risks appended to inhaling sewer gases, these gases may contain methane, which is a gas that shall combust when exposed to the open flame.

Vent pipes

The drainage vent pipes at home play a crucial role in keeping the sewer gases out.  

Sewer gases which cannot escape via the P-trap will travel into the vent pipe, which happens to be at the roof of your house.

For houses with a septic tank, the venting shall prevent a build-up of gasses in the tank. This can put the occupants of that house at risk since an explosion can occur.

Installing a Bathtub Trap in the Bathroom

P-traps in the bathrooms are components responsible for barring toxic chemicals from escaping into your home. These devices are essential to every home with a drainage system in the bathroom and kitchen. Toilets come with in-built traps.

Sink-traps, on the other hand, are accessible immediately after installation. They are designed to be taken apart quickly.

The tubs and shower traps are not accessible. But they are appropriately designed to be permanent.

The trap starts at the end of the drain assembly, where it will be mounted and then glued into a horizontal pipe. It also ties to the waste stack, which empties straight into the sewer.

Wrap plumbing tape around the outlet that is threaded into the drain and then screw about 11 inches of PVC threaded adapter.

Go ahead and tighten the material using a bathtub drain as you screw the adapter. Tighten it further with adjustable pliers.

This fitting comes with a slip connection too. So you can go ahead and cut the 4-inch nipple straight from the PVC pipe using a hacksaw.

Do not glue pipes until when you’ve completed the assembling of the trap.

Final Thoughts

Lastly, it is essential that you do not make use of a traditional sink P-trap for your bathtub. In case it becomes loose at some point, you will not know until the water in the drainage system causes precarious damage to the frames of the tub.

You may also like

Leave a Comment