A sewer drain is a pipe that transports wastewater away from your home or commercial building to a treatment plant (or another nearby building that has its own dedicated sewer system). The type of sewer drains that are installed in your house depends on the location and condition of your sewer system. If your home has a private sewer system, the drains will lead sewage to a nearby treatment plant. If your home is in a condo or apartment complex with a shared sewer system, the drains will lead sewage into a common sewer pipe leading to the treatment plant. There are two main types of sewer drains: the P-trap and the s-trap. The difference between the two is their end location: P-trap drains end at the house while s-trap drains end at the main sewer line. The following explanation provides more detail on the function of each type of sewer drain as well as recommendations for selecting the best type of sewer drain for your home:
A P-trap is a vertical trap attached to the end of the house sewer pipe that prevents sewer gases and smells from entering the home. It also traps water and other waste materials (such as food scraps) that are flushed down the toilet or sinks and are carried down the sewer pipe by the water pressure.The P-trap consists of a U-shaped section of pipe that is connected to the end of the house sewer pipe. The U-shaped section has a wide opening at the top where water and waste materials can enter the trap and is also equipped with a trap door. The trap door is usually a piece of cloth or a small plastic or metal flap that allows sewer gases, water, and other waste materials to escape while keeping them from entering the home. The U-shaped section is connected to the house sewer pipe at the bottom, which means sewage must flow uphill from the house to the trap. This means that sewer gas will rise to the top of the trap, where it will be released outside the house.
An S-trap is a vertical trap attached to the end of the house sewer pipe that prevents sewer gases and smells from entering the home. It also traps water and other waste materials (such as food scraps) that are flushed down the toilet or sinks and are carried down the sewer pipe by the water pressure.The S-trap consists of a U-shaped section of pipe that is connected to the end of the house sewer pipe. The U-shaped section has a wide opening at the top where water and waste materials can enter the trap and is also equipped with a trap door. The trap door is usually a piece of cloth or a small plastic or metal flap that allows sewer gases, water, and other waste materials to escape while keeping them from entering the home. The U-shaped section is connected to the house sewer pipe at the bottom, which means sewage must flow uphill from the house to the trap. This means that sewer gas will rise to the top of the trap, where it will be released outside the house.
The P-trap and S-trap differ in their ability to prevent sewer gases and smells from entering the home. The P-trap is generally better at preventing sewer smells from entering the home. This is because the S-trap is more complex in design and is more expensive to install.The P-trap consists of a U-shaped section of pipe that's connected to the end of the house sewer pipe. The U-shaped section has a wide opening at the top where water and waste materials can enter the trap and is also equipped with a trap door. The trap door is usually a piece of cloth or a small plastic or metal flap that allows sewer gases, water, and other waste materials to escape while keeping them from entering the home. The U-shaped section is connected to the house sewer pipe at the bottom, which means sewage must flow uphill from the house to the trap. This means that sewer gas will rise to the top of the trap, where it will be released outside the house.
The S-trap is generally better at preventing sewer smells from entering the home than the P-trap. The S-trap is also less expensive to install than the P-trap because it doesn't require a large bend in the pipe as does the P-trap.The S-trap consists of a U-shaped section of pipe that's connected to the end of the house sewer pipe. The U-shaped section has a wide opening at the top where water and waste materials can enter the trap and is also equipped with a trap door. The trap door is usually a piece of cloth or a small plastic or metal flap that allows sewer gases, water, and other waste materials to escape while keeping them from entering the home. The U-shaped section is connected to the house sewer pipe at the bottom, which means sewage must flow uphill from the house to the trap. This means that sewer gas will rise to the top of the trap, where it will be released outside the house.
- The P-trap is better for preventing smells from entering the home.- The S-trap is more complex in design and is more expensive to install.- The S-trap is best in locations where there are high volumes of sewage or where there are sewer smells present in the home. The P-trap is best in locations where there are low volumes of sewage or where there are no sewer smells in the home.