How does the automatic waste-overflow system for a bath work?

Such a responsible matter as the choice of a bath must be treated with careful preparation, and take into account all the nuances of the upcoming installation. In addition to the bath itself, legs and other parts are purchased for it. Special attention should be paid to the drain-overflow system, which will be discussed in this article.

Few of domestic consumers are unfamiliar with the good old siphon along with a cork on a chain. This, in fact, is the basic design of the drain-overflow system. Now these systems are more and more automated, and now it is possible to drain the water without pulling out the plug with your own hands.

Many types of similar structures are sold in plumbing stores these days. Most often, they are included immediately in the kit with the bath, but it is best to purchase it separately yourself.

The bathtub drain-overflow system is divided into two types according to the type of design: automatic and semiautomatic.

The siphon machine is quite easy to use. It has another name - "click-gag" and is launched by simply pressing the cork located at the bottom. After that, the drain opens, with a subsequent push it closes. The main part of such a mechanism is a spring attached to the plug. The whole structure is located so that it is very convenient to drain the water while lying down only by pressing the foot after the bath procedure.

The semiautomatic drain-overflow is also started manually. A special swivel head closes the opening on the wall of the bath, and it is also connected to the drain mechanism. They are connected with a cable mechanism, which allows opening the drain mechanism when the head is unscrewed on the bath wall. The main disadvantage of these designs is the jamming of the mechanism.

The main difference between the two is the price. Which option suits you best is just a matter of taste and comfort.

Let's analyze the device of each design in more detail. As noted earlier, the good old black cork in the bathroom can be replaced either by an automatic siphon, or by a semi-automatic drain-overflow or, as it is also called, a tubing strap.

If the principle of operation of the siphon of the machine is quite clear, then the design of the semiautomatic device is somewhat more complicated. A plug (swivel head) with a plastic or chrome-plated plastic cover closes the opening on the wall of the bath. Another plug with the same chrome cap is located on the drain hole. These two plugs are connected by a cable drive. 0

The bottom plug is a pin with a hat, which is closed by its weight. The bottom plug opens by turning the top one half a turn. The whole structure works thanks to a cable drive that transmits impulse.

The semi-automatic drain-overflow system has significant drawbacks, which most often consist in breakdowns of various parts of the mechanism. Over time, the cable with the drive begins to jam, the plug can sink too deep into the drain hole, it also happens that the pin is shortened and its length becomes unsuitable for its further use.

All these small faults are easily repaired, it will be enough to disassemble the structure and adjust it yourself. Therefore, it is logical to assume that the cable on the outside will be easier to repair than the cable on the inside.

The electronically controlled siphon, in addition to being more expensive than a semi-automatic, will also be difficult to repair. Most often, if it breaks down, it will need to be replaced.

Another important point is that designs with a water seal are always preferable to models without it. A water seal is a special curved pipe section that accumulates water in itself. The water changes every time the bathroom is used. Thanks to this, unpleasant odors from the sewage system do not pass through the pipe into the bathroom of the living room. As a rule, today almost all models are equipped with a water seal with a liquid outlet in the form of a strangely curved pipe.

These systems can be made from a variety of materials. As a result, models can have different costs and have different characteristics. Most often, manufacturers choose those materials, the processing of which has been debugged for centuries, for the most part avoiding the use of new technologies. A striking example of this is the manufacture of this plumbing from various metal alloys.

Several traditional siphon materials are often used.

• Brass, bronze. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, and bronze is copper and tin. Such models always have a high price, but they are also of good quality. A brass or copper siphon is used in the design of a bathroom in a special antique style.

Such systems are very resistant, they are unpretentious in operation, durable, capable of withstanding high temperatures. If at the same time chrome is used for spraying, then the structure acquires a pleasant metallic color, and its service life is even longer.

• The most common option is cast iron (an alloy of iron with carbon). This alloy has traditionally been used for several centuries for the manufacture of various plumbing equipment. One of the striking advantages of cast iron is its strength, but its disadvantage is its extreme tendency to corrosion.

Despite the fact that various plumbing fixtures are most often made of cast iron, the installation of such a siphon for a bath is a rarity. Such a siphon is usually installed only to a cast iron bath.

Such cast iron structures quickly become overgrown with various deposits, are difficult to clean and cannot be repaired. If such problems arise, they must be replaced. The bulky dimensions of the structure and the small space under the bathroom can complicate this process.

• Plastic. Has gained wide popularity in the modern market. These models are not too expensive to manufacture and therefore never overpriced. They are distinguished by resistance to corrosion and to aggressive chemical compositions in the form of powders, detergents, chlorine bleaches.

Of the obvious shortcomings, there is one significant one - it must be regularly replaced, since it becomes thinner over time, thereby becoming unusable.

Each type of "drain-overflow" system has its own subtleties of the mount. Here are only general guidelines and tips for installing the tub trim yourself.

A small installation guide looks like this:

• choose a siphon of such a design so that during installation the distance between its base and the floor is 15 cm;
• you need to connect the hole of the tee with the grate blocking the drain;
• when connecting, you need to fix the gasket;
• using a nut, the siphon itself is installed to the outlet from the tee;
• a side pipe is attached to one of the branches of the tee;
• the end of the siphon is immersed in the sewer;
• each part of the structure is sealed.

At the final stage, you need to close the drain hole, fill the bath with water. Then, when water flows through the drain pipe, carefully inspect the entire structure for holes. You can place a dry cloth or paper on the surface under the system. The drops on it will immediately show the result.

The copper-brass automatic drain-overflow machine from Kaiser (Germany) has received wide popularity and a high rating. Usually its price does not exceed 3000 rubles for one system, and upon purchase, a free installation is also offered.

Waste and overflow systems from Viega and Geberit have proven themselves as a product of average quality and average price category. Their systems are made of copper, brass or chrome. According to buyers, Viega systems are slightly better in quality than Geberit.

The luxury product is the Abelone drain and overflow machine. Manufacturing material - copper with various coatings. This system can withstand up to 50,000 opening and closing cycles. This pleasure costs a little more than a semiautomatic device 3200-3500 rubles. The model received high marks, but not as popular as the semi-automatic.

The Frap company specializes in the production of semi-automatic systems. The range includes both budget versions and luxury models. Suitable for those who do not want to spend money on bath drain and overflow. Prices range from 1,000 to 3,000 rubles.

A distinctive feature of Equation systems, as noted by consumers, is easy installation. In addition to the systems for bathtubs, the range of the company also includes systems for sinks. Basically, the material for making models is plastic.

But the reviews about McAlpine are mostly negative. Users note an unpleasant odor, that is, the absence of a water seal and a short service life.

In the video below, you will see the installation of a bath drain set.