If you’re like most people, you probably take your household drains for granted. But did you know that there’s a lot of science and engineering that goes into making sure they work properly? In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how household drains work, and we’ll also discuss some of the common problems that can occur. We’ll also provide some tips for preventing these problems from happening. So if you’re curious about what happens behind the scenes in your home drain system, keep reading!
How do household drains work?
Most household drains are built around a similar concept: water is allowed to flow down through several different piping components and openings, and as the water flows downwards, any solid objects in the water get pushed or dragged downwards as well. Since gravity pulls the heavier objects downwards with more force than the lighter objects, they typically move towards the bottom of the drainage system and eventually end up in a drain trap. From there, the solid objects can flow through straight pipes that lead into the main sewer line or septic tank.
The two most common components that are used to channel water from your household drains are called “p-traps” and “s-traps”. A p-trap is a U-shaped pipe that typically sits underneath your sink or bathtub, while an s-trap consists of two pipes that are curved in the shape of an “s” – one pipe connects to the drain opening on your sink, while the other stays higher up above the floor. The basic idea with both types of traps is that they help to prevent sewer gases from entering your home. If you ever notice that sewer gas isn’t flowing away from your house as quickly as it should be, the problem may lie with your s-trap or p-trap.
Neighborhoods and individual homes often have slightly different piping setups, but most standard household drains will include a combination of p-traps and s-traps. In homes that have a dishwasher or clothes washer, you will sometimes see a utility sink as well – this is basically just another p-trap setup that allows for your used water to be channeled into the main drain instead of onto your floor.
What are the components of your household drain?
In addition to p-traps and s-traps, there are a few other common components that you will find throughout your household drain system. Some of these components can help to prevent odor from entering your home, while others can help to maintain an even water flow:
- Pop-up drains – this term refers to any drain that sits underneath your sink or bathtub and can be raised and lowered using a handle. Pop-up drains are often found in sinks, since they allow you to easily plug and unplug the drain with a stopper.
- Utility sinks – another term for a utility sink is “slop sink”. This refers to the fact that this type of sink typically gets used for draining dishes, disposing of cleaning water, or catching stray drips from your faucets.
- Sluice/trap arm – these are the drains that are usually attached to your clothes washer (but they may also be attached to your dishwasher or bathtub). They help to carry away the water that flows out into the machine.
- Water regulator – this is a simple valve that can be used to reduce or increase the amount of water flow from your main house drain. This usually helps to prevent drainage problems if you have an especially high-volume water source.
- Sewer cleanout – this is an opening that sits at the very end of your drain system, and it allows you to remove any solid waste in your sewer lines. If you suspect that your main sewer line has clogged up with debris, a sewer clean out can be extremely useful for removing large objects.
- Toilet trap – this is a little curved pipe that sits underneath your toilet, and it helps to prevent any solid waste from backing up into your toilet bowl.
- Main drain – this is the main water channel that runs through most homes. The main drain usually starts inside of a utility sink, and then it travels downwards to a sewer line connection or septic tank opening.
You can see that there are many different types of components that can be used to help channel water throughout your home. Most household drains will include a mixture of p-traps and s-traps, along with any combination of pop-up drains, sluice/trap arms, water regulators, sewer cleanouts, toilet traps, and main drains.
How does a plumber install household drains?
If you’re wondering about how household drains are installed, it’s fairly straightforward. First, the plumber will typically run a trench through your yard in order to install the drain system under your lawn. This is where all of your piping components are connected together. Then, they’ll backfill the ground above the pipe with soil and sod to make your yard look nice and clean again. Most plumbers will schedule a follow-up visit to repair any damaged areas of your lawn, so it’s usually not necessary for the homeowner to get involved unless you have specific instructions from the plumber.
What problems can occur with household drains?
The p-trap and s-trap combination is generally very effective at preventing sewer gas from entering your home. However, there are several common problems that can occur with this type of setup:
- Clogged Traps – Most household drains eventually develop some sort of clog or obstruction near the bottom opening, which blocks solid objects from flowing down into the sewers. This can cause a backup of water and solid objects, which will smell very bad and may even flood your home’s floors.
- Overflowing Sinks & Tubs – If the water level in your tub or sink rises too high, it might end up overflowing. This can damage a variety of objects and surfaces, including the flooring and walls near your tub or sink.
- Incomplete Traps – Insufficient s-trap angles won’t allow for enough water to enter the drain, which can lead to water overflowing onto your floor.
- Clogged Pipes or Drains – The solid objects that enter your home’s drains will eventually end up somewhere in the piping system. If they get stuck halfway down a pipe, they could potentially cause other nearby pipes to become clogged as well.
How deep are household drains?
Typically, most household drains are only about six inches deep – this is often deep enough to prevent wastewater from overflowing onto your floor. However, the p-trap and s-trap components of your drains could potentially be deeper than six inches.
What household item unclogs drains?
Most household drains can be unclogged using a plunger, which is a type of plumbing tool that’s designed to help push large objects through the pipes. You can also try chemicals like drain cleaners, which often include enzymes that help to break up clogs.
Who is responsible for maintaining drains?
The individual who owns the home typically has the responsibility of properly maintaining and unclogging household drains. If you’re having trouble with a clogged drain, contact your local plumber to help fix the problem.