In any apartment there is at least one washbasin - an object without which no bathroom is equipped. However, in order for the object to function properly, it must be equipped properly.
One of the integral components of the structure of the washbasin is the siphon - an object that is entrusted with the function of preventing water overflow, as well as eliminating unpleasant odors. Let us further consider the features of choosing a siphon, as well as the basic rules for its installation.
Device
First of all, it should be noted that the siphon is a fairly simple design, which in its appearance resembles a series of pipes connected by flasks. In some cases, this drain element is presented as one continuous pipe.
Speaking about the design features of the siphon under the sink in the bathroom, it should be noted that it has some standards that are observed for a long time. In accordance with them, the design of the siphon is:
- mesh;
- rubbergaskets;
- connection of pipe or protective grid;
- outlet;
- outlets for sewerage;
- connecting nuts;
- case.
Let's consider further the features of each component separately.
Speaking about the grid (protective grill), it should be noted that it is a certain element that has 5-6 holes with a diameter of 1 cm. It is installed directly in the washbasin. This element is visible to the naked eye - it is located in the place where the water flows. The base of this part can be made of either plastic or metal.
As for the rubber gasket, it is designed to prevent water from seeping from the washbasin to the floor. Practice shows that the color of such gaskets directly depends on the price and quality of the entire siphon: in expensive products they are presented in white, and in cheap ones - in black.
As for the outlet pipe, which is part of the siphon in the sink in the bathroom, it serves to connect other devices to the pipe, connected from other plumbing fixtures installed in the neighborhood. Between the nozzle and the protective grill there is a connection, presented in the form of a screw, the diameter of which is 8 mm. Also, in addition to the branch pipe, other branches can be installed, presented in a rigid or corrugated form. Additional elements of the siphon can also be connecting nuts made of the same material as the base of the structure. Most of the recommendations of experts note that nuts of good constructionmust be made of stainless steel, as in case of damage, the entire structure will have to be replaced with a new one.
In devices of this type, a variety of decorative overlays are also installed, as well as tanks in which waste that gets into the sink accumulates.
As for the base of the siphon, it is the entire body of the product. Let's talk about what they are next.
Types of siphons
When choosing such a drain element for your own apartment, you should pay attention to the abundance of varieties of these designs. Currently, these types of siphons are distinguished:
- corrugated;
- dry;
- flat;
- bottle;
- tubular.
Each of the listed design variations has certain features, which we will discuss later.
Corrugated siphons
Practice shows that corrugated siphons are most often found on the Russian market. Structures of this type are made of plastic having a folded structure. Due to the peculiarities of the structure, the design tends to fold and unfold perfectly, shrinking into a tube of the required length. An additional advantage of this type of construction is that it can be bent in any way. This allows you to place it anywhere. Practice shows that a siphon with a plastic corrugation is best suited for a sink, since it is squeezed into any place without any problems and is quite simpleconnects to the drain.
The design of the corrugated siphon is distinguished by its simplicity: it has a base, as well as a number of connecting nodes. The main advantage of this structure is that there are almost no leaks in this type of pipe.
However, practice shows that the design of the siphon for a sink with plastic corrugation also has some negative features, which manifest themselves primarily in a low degree of resistance to sudden temperature changes. Also, when using such a design, one must also take into account the fact that when fat gets into it, a clogging of the pipe occurs, to eliminate which it will be necessary to dismantle the entire structure, clean it and install it back, or replace it with a new one.
Pipe siphons
Construction specialists often note that a tubular structure, which is presented in a finished version and does not lend itself to any deformation, will be an excellent option for a siphon for a sink in a bathroom.
Pipe siphons are presented in the form of a curved tube, which is made of metal or high quality plastic. It should be noted that in this design there is always a bend in which the water seal is formed, however, as a rule, it has a small size and shallow depth.
Pipe siphons, according to the people who operate them, have a number of disadvantages, which manifest themselves in the form of frequent formation of an unpleasant odor emanating from the structure, as well as constant clogging of the passage, inas a result, you have to constantly disassemble the riser and clean it.
Siphons are not recommended for kitchen sinks, as food residues often get into them, as a result of which they will constantly need to be cleaned. The big disadvantage of such structures is that they are large, due to which, as a rule, nothing is placed under the sink except for the siphon.
Pipe siphons are the perfect design for double sinks. Some of them have double safety nets.
Bottle siphons
Among the popular designs are bottle siphons, which got this name due to the unique appearance - the middle part of the tube has a protrusion presented in the form of a bottle.
Such products are characterized by certain features of installation and operation. So, the installation of these structures is best left to professionals in the field of plumbing, but you can do their subsequent disassembly and cleaning yourself - such processes are not difficult.
Specialists often note that bottle siphons have one simple feature - you can easily connect the drain of any other device, such as a washing machine or dishwasher, to them. It should be noted that in this situation the connection is made directly, without the use of extra sewer outlets.
Among the positive qualities of the considered design, it is also worth mentioning that it has a special element - a branch in whichcollects all debris that enters the pipe. It should be noted that the existing blockages can be easily removed by removing only the lower part of the structure, without dismantling the riser completely.
Due to all the features and advantages of the design, it is quite often used to equip double plumbing fixtures, as well as to equip sinks with overflow.
Dry siphons
One of the latest innovations in the field of plumbing is a dry siphon. This type of construction gained great popularity immediately after its appearance, due to its ability to prevent water from stagnation in the tube, so that there is no unpleasant odor.
Dry siphons are quite often used in summer cottages, as well as in such premises where the water supply is strictly limited and there are certain problems with heating.
The peculiarity of the siphon of this type is that when water enters it, the membrane made of rubber begins to open due to the movement of the flow. When the water supply stops, it shrinks, as a result of which the flow hole simply closes.
Hidden and flat siphons
Considering the varieties of siphons, you should definitely pay attention to such a variety of designs as flat. A sink siphon of this type is used in a situation where, for some reason, a corrugated or bottle siphon cannot be installed due to their size. Such structures are mainly made of plastic. Due to the small dimensions of flat sink siphonsthey are most often used in small bathrooms.
The main advantage of hidden siphons is that such structures are not visible to others. As practice shows, most often they are placed inside special boxes, niches and walls. As a rule, such niches and boxes are mounted next to the sinks.
What siphons are made of
Plumbing experts strongly recommend paying attention to the material from which the structure is made - this is the primary indicator of its quality. Consider further the main features of each material.
Modern plumbing stores are ready to offer siphons from the following materials:
- chrome;
- brass;
- copper;
- bronze;
- plastic.
Practice shows that chrome siphons are the most popular - they are the most durable and retain their qualities for a long period. Moreover, many people are captivated by the beauty of the appearance of such products. In the interior, this element is amazingly combined with towel dryers, pipes and other integral elements of the kitchen and bathroom made of metal. When choosing a chrome, copper or brass construction, it is worth remembering that it needs proper care, otherwise the siphon will quickly lose the beauty of its appearance.
As for plastic sink siphons, they are less durable than metal structures, but despite this, theyare in rather high demand due to the presence of a mass of positive qualities characteristic of them.
It is worth noting that plastic siphons are lightweight and also low cost. In addition, such structures are quite easy to disassemble and clean, and they can also be easily installed independently. The advantage of siphons made from such a material is that limescale does not form on their inside, which now and then appears on metal products.
A significant disadvantage of plastic siphons is that they are subject to mechanical stress from the outside. That is why they need to be covered with ceramic elements or special boxes.
About the size of the sink siphons
Speaking about the sizes of the structures under consideration, it is worth noting that they differ in their diversity. In the event that it is not possible to calculate the exact length of the tube, then it is worth giving preference to those structures that can be deformed based on personal preferences - corrugated.
Speaking about the sizes of siphons for dry-type sinks, it should be noted that at present their list is very limited - manufacturers produce two types of such designs: 32 and 40 mm. When choosing other types of structures, it is necessary to make the most accurate measurements. So, for example, in fact, you need to clearly determine the size of the chrome-plated siphon for the sink. After all, such a material is not deformable.
How to choose a siphon forshell size? In this case, attention should be paid to what capacity of the structure is necessary for a particular situation. It is also necessary to take into account the total number of sources connected to it, as well as the degree of water pressure supplied. In the event that during the operation of the siphon a powerful flow of water from several sources passes through it, it is worth giving preference to those structures that have a large cross section.
Otherwise, if the size of the siphon for the sink in the bathroom or in the kitchen is small, then you may encounter an unpleasant phenomenon in the form of flooding. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that when planning an increased load on the device, it is better to give preference not to plastic or flat elements, but to metal ones. A small siphon for a sink can only be suitable if a single and rather weak stream of water enters it.
Recommendations for choosing a siphon
Professionals in the field of installation and maintenance of plumbing often give a lot of advice on the correct choice of siphons for sinks. What should you pay attention to when choosing a device? Let's take a look at some of the highlights below.
First of all, the buyer should decide on what type of sink he chooses. So, if there is an empty and visible space under it, then you should give preference to products made of metal that look beautiful and quite aesthetically pleasing. As for plastic structures, they lookunattractive, so it's better to use them with something to cover them.
Despite the fact that the siphon is a relatively small detail, it is still worth choosing it so that it blends perfectly with the overall picture of the interior. If an overhead sink (on the countertop) is installed in the bathroom, as well as a product made of stone, ceramic or glass, then in this case it is worth giving preference to a structure made of metal - the elements will look very harmonious with each other. As for the type of product, it is advisable to give preference to bottle or pipe - in this situation they look quite expensive, and they are also characterized by ease of use. When choosing a design, it is advisable to remember that modern manufacturers offer a large selection of product colors, this allows you to select them for a specific interior picture.
When choosing a siphon for a sink, the size of the bathroom or kitchen must be taken into account. In the event that the space is small, then a corrugated type design is perfect for it - they can take any shape, as well as be located in any area. Practice shows that when using this type of siphon next to the sink, you can easily place other objects that need to drain the water.
When choosing a siphon for a summer house or a house that has problems with heating, you need to pay attention to dry-type structures.
When choosing an object, one should pay attention not only to the type of product, but also to its throughput. Practiceshows that a standard-sized sink siphon will not work if there is a high-pressure flow of water from various objects through it. In such a situation, it is worth choosing a design with a non-standard section diameter.
Modern siphons on the market can be divided into smooth-walled and ribbed. Manufacturers are increasingly recommending smooth-walled products, citing the fact that they form fewer blockages.
Some siphons have a non-return valve in their design. Its main action is aimed at preventing the reverse flow of liquid, as a result of which an unpleasant sewer odor can be avoided. Installing this type of siphon is appropriate if the pipes are located at a slight slope.
In the process of buying, you should also pay attention to the cost of the product - it determines its quality and, as a result, the duration of its service life. Practice shows that metal products are much more expensive than plastic ones, but their service life is longer, which is primarily due to resistance to mechanical stress from the outside, as well as the strength of the material.
When choosing a siphon, you need to pay attention to those configurations that have a special purpose. So, modern manufacturers supply the plumbing market with special siphons for sinks in the kitchen, the size of which fully corresponds to the standard throughput, and the pipes themselves often have protection against sticking of grease and excessive clogging.
What should I turn myattention, having fully decided on the choice of product? When buying a design, you need to check whether all the details are in place. In the event that a branded product is purchased, then a quality certificate must be included with it. It must certainly reflect the characteristics of the product and the material from which it is created. Also, any good siphon must certainly be accompanied by a warranty card. By the warranty period stated in the document, you can determine the quality of the design: the longer it is, the more confident the manufacturer is that the product provided by him will last for a long time.
During the purchase process, it is also recommended to personally measure the length of the pipe and its diameter.
Siphon installation rules
In order for the purchased siphon to function properly, it must be assembled in accordance with the requirements specified in the instructions.
The assembly sequence of the structure is as follows:
- A large flat gasket should be placed on the large hole of the main tube and the existing cap screwed on the side.
- It is necessary to screw a union nut onto the branch pipe, and a cone gasket on top of it. Then the assembled structure must be inserted into the upper hole and screwed tightly without pinching it.
- In the event that a siphon with an overflow is being assembled, this part must be connected to the outlet of the pipe. To do this, you first need to put a nut on the outlet, and on top of it - an annular gasket. Next, the assembled structure must be connected to the overflow, placing it with a bluntend and tighten with a nut. In the event that the siphon design does not provide for overflow, this assembly step should be skipped.
- At the final stage of assembly, you should take a corrugated pipe and carefully put a union nut on it, and on top of it - a cone-type gasket. After that, the pipe must be screwed to the siphon, thereby completing the assembly process.
In order to install the assembled siphon directly into the sink, you must follow the following recommendations:
- First of all, put the O-ring on the pipe, placing it with the strips up. The second ring included in the kit should be pulled over a metal mesh, which then needs to be placed above the sink.
- Next, you need to adjust the siphon to the drain hole in the sink.
- The screw should be screwed into the grate.
- Using a rigid tube that comes with the siphon, you need to connect the assembled structure to the sewer. It should be noted that at this stage the process is much faster in relation to the corrugated pipe.
- At the final stage, it is necessary to put water through the siphon, checking the tightness and correct installation.
Best siphon manufacturers
If you want to purchase a design of the type in question of good quality, you should give preference to those released on the market by trusted manufacturers. To date, among the most popular brands are the following:
- McAlpine (Scotland);
- Hansgrohe (Germany);
- Akvater (Russia);
- Grohe (Germany);
- Viega (Germany);
- Alcaplast (Czech Republic).
Practice shows that the designs presented by the listed manufacturers are in an expensive price category, however, according to statistics, they last much longer than their cheaper counterparts.
