Siphon for urinal: types and subtleties of choice

A siphon for a urinal belongs to the category of sanitary equipment that provides an effective drainage of water from the system, and creates conditions for its overflow into the sewer. The carefully designed shape of the part allows to exclude the flow of air masses from the sewer system, reliably "locking the unpleasant odors with a lock." Thus, in addition to its basic function, the siphon also serves as an obstacle to the appearance of specific aromas in the bathroom space.

The choice of a urinal for a home interior or public space is quite justified. Modern models of plumbing equipment eliminate water overruns, take up a minimum of space, look aesthetically pleasing, and allow you to significantly diversify the design of the space. In a guest toilet or in a private bathroom, a urinal with a hidden or open siphon type will be more than appropriate. But how to choose and install this part correctly in your home plumbing fixture system?

A siphon for a urinal is an S-shaped, U-shaped or bottle-shaped mounting element, in the design of which a curved part filled with water is necessarily present. The resulting odor trap allows for the formation of an obstacle in the path of various odors. In addition, being installed on the connecting pipe of the urinal, and fixing on the sewer outlet, it allows you to drain the incoming liquids into the main or autonomous system.

The siphon installed in the structure of sanitary equipment can have a horizontal or vertical outlet. If there are possibilities for concealed installation, it is recommended to use this option, since it takes up little space in the space of the room. For wall systems, there are special installations that hide behind all the installation elements of the structure.

Another important purpose that a urinal siphon has is to screen out debris that enters the drain. This function is especially important in public washrooms, where the use of drainage equipment is often accompanied by inaccuracy of visitors. Debris particles that have settled in the body of the hydraulic seal element are easy to reach and remove.

All urinal siphons produced today, according to the peculiarities of water drainage, are subdivided into several groups:

• one-piece classic;
• separate (mounted and selected additionally);
• ceramic and polyethylene siphons designed for plumbing with an elongated body (also available with a one-piece connection option).

It is important to consider that most of the massive floor models of plumbing fixtures for the men's restroom initially have a built-in drainage system. It does not require additional installation of a siphon, it discharges incoming drains by directly connecting to the sewer. The direction of release also matters. The horizontal one is brought out into the wall, it is used mainly in models with a pendant mount. The vertical outlet connects directly to the floor drain pipe or is diverted into the wall using additional fittings.

The types of urinal siphons also take into account the design of the system.Polyethylene flexible options are installed where the distance between the drain and the inlet is too great. The tubular plastic version has rigid, fixed dimensions, differs in S or U-shape, can be installed in an open format. In addition, products of this type are also made of metal - cast iron or steel, a chrome-plated version can be used on the outside.

The built-in element is usually ceramic, made of a special plumbing compound. It is located in the body of the urinal, which guarantees high functionality and throughput. But in case of problems with clogging, the entire set of equipment will have to be dismantled.

The bottle siphon can be made of metal (usually chrome is used as a coating) or plastic. It has a bottom outlet, most often it is mounted openly due to the bulky design of the water seal and pipeline elements

Vacuum siphons for urinals are considered separately. They have a built-in snail valve system. Typically, such devices are produced for flush-mounted installation. The structure includes a drain pipe, a sealing collar and a water seal. The outlet is vertical or horizontal, depending on the features of the selected version, models are available for draining up to 4 liters of water, for various pipe diameters.

The airless environment created inside the vacuum siphon provides effective protection against the penetration of unpleasant or foreign odors, gases accumulating in the sewer system.

The features of the siphon installation are also of great importance. It can be of two types.

• Hidden. In this case, part of the siphon and piping is installed in the wall or hidden behind the structural elements of the urinal itself. In some cases, a special installation is used, a kind of decorative cladding that hides not too aesthetic details of the liner and drain fittings.
• Open. Here the siphon is brought out, remains visible, it is convenient to dismantle or service it when a blockage is detected. Most often, bottle types of hydraulic locks are mounted in an open form.

The nuances of choosing a siphon for a urinal are closely related to the features and purpose of this component of the plumbing system.

• It is imperative to take into account the characteristics of the drain system. The diameter of the mounting holes must completely coincide with its indicators, fit snugly, preventing leaks. If a specific brand of plumbing is used, it is worth considering the manufacturer's recommendations for the selection of components. Standard dimensions: 50, 40, 32 mm.
• An important parameter is the height of the water seal. In siphon models, where the drain is performed constantly, the volumes of water are quite large. A high odor trap will help to avoid problems with the penetration of odors from the sewer into the premises.
• Color matters too. If all the plumbing is made in the same range, then the open and rather bulky floor drain element can also be maintained in a similar color solution. The pretentious design interior excludes the possibility of installing budget solutions.

When choosing, you should also take into account the material, because it affects the service life and strength characteristics of the product. Plastic varieties are made from polypropylene or PVC. Among the advantages of this solution are:

• high level of corrosion resistance;
• hygiene, the ability to withstand prolonged contact with a humid environment;
• excellent flow capacity - the interior is smooth, does not trap debris.

It is important to understand that polymeric materials are not well suited for open installation. This is especially true for siphons on flexible liners, with a corrugated section.

Metal, steel or cast iron siphons are characterized by increased strength; for greater aesthetics, they are plated with chrome on the outside. This does not affect the performance of the product, but it allows you to achieve a more modern appearance of the plumbing equipment.

It is possible to mount the vertical siphon to a wall urinal only if such an outlet is provided in the plumbing fixture. For external systems, it is better to opt for aesthetic premium chrome elements. But budget plastic is usually hidden behind decorative panels, hidden in drywall niches.

The installation process, which allows you to connect a siphon, involves the following procedure.

1. Dismantling the old system. The procedure should be carried out in a free room, it is better to cover the floor with plastic wrap.
2. Preparing the drain pipe for the installation of new equipment. The sealant and other assembly means are removed, traces of dirt accumulated over a long time are eliminated.
3. Siphon mount. Depending on the installation, it can first be connected to a drain or attached to a urinal. The diagram must be attached to the product itself.
4. All couplings and gaskets sealing the system, are checked for integrity, and the final assembly of the system is performed.
5. Tests are carried out, the system is connected to the water supply, water is fed into the drain mechanically, automatically or by gravity.

The correct choice and connection of the siphon allows avoiding disturbances in the operation of the urinal, ensures the preservation of the integrity of the system during operation, and prevents the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

An overview of the Viega 112 271 bottle siphon for a urinal in the video below.