Toilet traps are critical to a properly working toilet and plumbing system. In this article, we will define toilet traps. We’ll give you the information needed to understand toilet traps so that you can prevent toilet trap clogs.
Toilet Traps
A toilet trap is simply an S-shaped section of drainpipe located under your toilet bowl that prevents sewer gases from entering your home through the toilet’s drain opening into the soil stack. The “trap” portion of the toilet consists of either a curved or P-shaped pipe that is open at one end and closed on the other end with a water line running across it (see illustration below). When someone flushes their toilet, the standing water in the trap allows for noxious gasses to rise up the drain into the toilet bowl and then exit. The gases are prevented from going further downstream because of an important venting requirement known as “negative air pressure” which must be maintained throughout your toilet plumbing system at all times to ensure protection against these dangerous gasses. In other words, a toilet’s trap has to be open to the atmosphere so that this negative air pressure can be achieved.
In order for your toilet traps to function properly, you must keep water in them at all times. If someone flushes their toilet and doesn’t allow the toilet tank to fill back up before they flush again, there won’t be any standing water left in the toilet trap and sewer gas will flow into your home! Toilets work just like a one-way valve. All toilet traps will allow water to flow in but only toilet traps with standing water in them will be able to block sewer gas from coming into your home.
In most homes, toilet drains that are properly trapped and vented should have a slight downward slope towards the main soil stack in order for the toilet’s siphon jet not to suck air back in when it is refilling after a flush. The toilet trap may have a slightly different slope than the drain line leading to its vent because of this reason. This means that occasionally you might find some water at the lowest part of your toilet’s base where it meets the floor when you know there was never any water left in your toilet bowl. In these cases, if water is being siphoned from the toilet trap into your toilet bowl, it’s a good bet that you have a toilet clog in either the toilet or its drain line.
The best way to prevent toilet traps from clogging is to keep water in them at all times and to be sure that someone doesn’t flush their toilet while you’re taking a shower. If you suspect a toilet trap has become clogged due to misuse, call a licensed plumber for assistance right away. In most cases, simple plunging will fix these types of problems but if not…it can become very serious very fast!
What are toilet traps?
Toilet traps are an important part of a toilet and plumbing system. The main purpose of a toilet trap is to prevent sewer gases from escaping into your home. Toilet traps work by forming a water-tight seal that blocks these gases from entering.
How do toilet traps work?
Toilet traps are filled with water which creates the water-tight seal that blocks the sewer gases from entering your home. When you flush your toilet, the water in the trap is displaced and replaced with air. This allows the gases to escape and prevents them from entering your home.
Why are toilet traps important?
Toilet traps play a critical role in preventing sewer gases from entering your home. If toilet traps were to fail, these gases would enter your home. Since toilet traps are difficult to access and work with, this could be a costly repair if toilet trap failure was to happen. Because of this, it is very important that toilet traps are properly maintained on a regular basis.
