Having decided to replace the plumbing in the house or install a new one, everyone begins to study bathtubs, washbasins, faucets, and no one remembers the detail on which the quality work of all this equipment depends. A mandatory element of most plumbing fixtures are siphons. It is to them that the tenants of the apartments should be grateful for the fact that the unpleasant smell of sewage coming from the sewer pipes does not enter the premises. In addition, the water plug inside these devices is a barrier that isolates the sewer pipes from blockages. However, when choosing a siphon for a sink in a bathroom, it is necessary to take into account not only its technical characteristics, but also its appearance.
Accommodation options
In the usual vision siphon - This is a nondescript item hidden under the sink in the kitchen. It is remembered only if the water that enters the sink from the tap has stopped leaving it or leaves it too slowly. Then they unscrew it, clean it, put it in place and again forget about it for a long time.
It is more difficult to hide the siphon in the bathroom, because the bathrooms of city apartments are so small that there is no place to install extra structures, for example, a cabinet under the sink. But you can find an exquisitely made designer siphon, which not only does not spoil the look of the room, but also decorates it.
The siphon is a detail without which the bathroom cannot exist. But before proceeding with the choice of this miracle, which has come down to us from the time of the Roman Empire, we need to study what it can be.
Design features of different types of siphons
The simplest design of the pipe siphon. This is a curved pipe in the shape of an “S” or “U” symbol, which can be collapsible and non-collapsible. Its advantage is the need for precise alignment with the inlet to the sewer, resulting in a rigid system of the drain device.
A classic of the 20th century is a bottle siphon. It is well known for its simplicity and ease of use and has the following features:
- takes up relatively little space under the sink;
- connection with a sewer pipe can be made as a straight or flexible pipe;
- it is easy to disassemble during cleaning;
- to rinse and remove sediment, it is enough to unscrew the bottom of the tank;
- ideally protects sewer pipes from pollution.
The miracle of the late 90s of the last century - corrugated siphon - came into fashion along with interest in the redevelopment of apartments. This type of construction has its advantages:
- makes it possible to connect non-standardly located sinks to the sewerage system;
- very easy to install;
- by bending the tube, you can form any slope and create a water seal.
Hidden siphons began to be used relatively recently. They entered the apartments along with built-in sewage systems. This is the same bottle device, but hidden behind a partition and ennobled by a stainless steel pipe located on the outside.
A novelty on the domestic market is a dry siphon, which functions not by creating a water plug, but thanks to a special membrane. When water enters, it opens and releases water, and then contracts again, tightly closing the flow hole, and not letting water and odors back.
Separate varieties
In addition to the design features of the structure, siphons differ in type and method of application:
- If there is no place for a conventional drain device under the sink or it needs to be installed under the bathtub, then you can use a flat siphon. It is convenient for installation, takes up little space, perfectly retains odors, but it has one drawback: in case of blockage, you will have to disassemble the entire structure.
- In connection with the increase in the number of household appliances, siphons for the sink began to be produced with two or even three separate side fittings. Thanks to them, you can connect a washing machine and a dishwasher to one drain at the same time.
- For kitchen sinks, complex fixtures are made that combine two or more nozzles for connecting to sinks with several sections.
How to choose a siphon
A siphon is a product that is made from different materials:
- cast iron;
- nickel;
- bronze;
- stainless steel;
- brass;
- plastic and many others.
You can opt for any of them. The main thing in this matter is the design of the room. If the bathroom has been modernly renovated and plumbing fixtures with taps and flush buttons made of chromed metal have been installed, then the unsightly appearance of the plastic product will spoil the whole picture.
Better pick up metal siphon to match the mixer on the sink - with a classic steel sheen, gold or bronze. It will look aesthetically pleasing and retain its appearance for a long time.
At the same time, installing a plastic device under the sink will avoid regular cleaning of lime deposits that will constantly settle on the metal.
When choosing a design, you need to pay attention to the following:
- What type of washbasin will be in the bathroom. If it is with a pedestal or cabinet, then the type of siphon does not play any role. But if the drain device will be under the sink in the open state, then it is better to take care of its design.
- Be sure to make sure that the sink has a neck of the same diameter as the siphon.
- If you plan to put a washing machine in the room, then you need to take care of the pipe for connecting it to the sewer.
- If a pipe siphon is taken for a bathroom sink, then careful measurement and calculation of all distances will be required.
- The diameter of the sewer inlet is usually standard on all products, but there are exceptions in the case of purchasing a foreign-made sample. Therefore, before purchasing, it is better to compare the diameters.
When choosing, you can give preference to any model of the device, since there is nothing complicated in their structure and therefore there is no fundamental difference, except for the price.
Installation of different types of siphons
Installing or replacing a sink siphon is not difficult even for beginners. Of the tools and materials, in addition to the culprit of the work, the following are required:
- Silicone sealant.
- Rubber coupling-adapter.
- Sealing tape.
- Phillips screwdriver.
The surface of the sink and gasket must be degreased with any detergent that is used for dishes so that their surfaces get closer contact and there are no smudges in the future.
Mounting order:
- Put a gasket on the hole in the sink.
- Insert the drain socket.
- From below, under the sink, we put on the second rubber gasket on the socket.
- We connect the entire structure with a plastic nut.
The second mounting option is designed for other designs:
- I put a gasket in the sink.
- Place a metal grill on top.
- Insert the included long screw into it.
- We bring the siphon from below, and connect the structure with a screw.
There are other, more complex designs, but their installation requires some experience and skill.
Before buying a siphon, you need to make sure that its throughput will correspond to the amount of water drained. Therefore, a siphon with a small section is not suitable for every sink.