Features of the choice of corrugation for a siphon

Plumbing siphons are a device for draining waste liquid into the sewer system. Any types of these devices are connected to the sewage system by means of pipes and hoses. Corrugated joints are the most common. Siphons and their connecting elements are made of various materials and are functionally intended both for direct drainage and for protection against the penetration of unpleasant sewage odors into the home.

The widespread use of corrugated connecting structures is due to the fact that they are much stronger than pipes with a smooth surface and are easy to use. Due to the possibility of stretching and compressing, there is no need to use additional fasteners. Corrugation in essence is a flexible finned tube, which is available in single-layer and multi-layer types. It is ribbed on the outside and smooth on the inside.

According to their intended purpose, these structures perform connecting functions for transporting waste fluids into the sewer system. When used in sewer drains, these structures actually play the role of water locks, which, on the basis of physical laws, provide, along with the drain, the creation of an air gap in the pipe bent in the form of the letters U or S and, accordingly, protect the room from unpleasant odors.

The corrugation is used in two types of siphons.

• Corrugated siphon - This is a one-piece structure, which is a folded hose made of rubber, metal or polymers, used to connect the drain hole of the sanitary unit (kitchen sink, sink or bathroom) and the entrance to the sewer system. It consists of the hose itself and connecting elements located at the ends of the structure and providing a hermetic fastening of all elements.
• Bottle siphon - a plumbing device, in which a corrugated hose connects the siphon itself to a sewer drain.

Nowadays, bottle-type siphons are more commonly used, which have waste traps that protect against clogging and facilitate cleaning of the unit. These structures are connected to the sewer drain, as a rule, using corrugated hoses. They are used for concealed installation of plumbing equipment. The corrugation for siphons is chrome-plated metal and plastic.

• Metallic made of stainless steel, as well as chrome-plated steel. They are mainly used for open installation based on the overall design of the room. In such connections, short flexible pipes are used. These pipes are also used in hard-to-reach places where ordinary plastic is easily damaged. Steel flexible joints are strong, environmentally friendly and durable, resistant to temperature and humidity extremes, but much more expensive than plastic products of this type.
• Plastic corrugated joints are used for concealed installation both for kitchen sinks and for toilet accessories: bathtubs, washbasins and bidets.

Standard dimensions of corrugated joints:

• diameter - 32 and 40 mm;
• the length of the branch pipe varies from 365 to 1500 mm.

Overflow holes are used for showers, bathtubs and sinks to protect against overfilling of tanks. These devices use conventional corrugated thin-walled plastic pipes, usually with a diameter of 20 mm. They are not exposed to high loads, so this solution is quite acceptable.

Plastic connections are the most versatile: easy to install, inexpensive, mobile and durable. Corrugated pipes give mobility to installation, thanks to the possibility of stretching and compressing. They are able to withstand strong water pressure.

When choosing such hoses, the length and diameter of the connection must be considered. The hose must not be tightly mounted or bend at right angles. If an angled pipe configuration is used for a sewer drain, the drain hole should be located as close as possible to the corner pipe joints.

In cases where the corrugated hose does not reach the drain hole, it is necessary to lengthen the corrugation with a pipe of the appropriate diameter. Also, short flexible pipes made of PVC and various polymers are often used for lengthening.

It should be borne in mind that if there are no problems with installing the corrugation for the bathroom and washbasin, then there are certain features for the installation of kitchen sinks. Since the used liquid in the kitchen has greasy deposits, the folded surface of the corrugated outlets is quickly contaminated with fat deposits and small food waste.

In kitchen sinks, it is recommended to use only bottle siphons with a combined pipe-corrugated drain element. It is desirable that the corrugation is almost straight and, if necessary, can be easily dismantled for frequent cleaning. The role of the water seal should be performed by a short flexible pipe, through which the siphon and the corrugation are connected. In such cases, flexible metal, sintered and polymer pipes are often used, which have a higher strength compared to a conventional plastic corrugation for a siphon.

Cleaning of corrugated plastic joints must be carried out only by dismantling them completely, since due to the small thickness of the walls in the process of compression or mechanical cleaning, irreversible damage to the branch pipe is possible.

When choosing a corrugation, you should carefully inspect the surface for damage, and also check the rigidity of the product for fracture. The most preferred for connection are plastic corrugated pipes with reinforcement elements. They are stronger and more durable, and their cost is slightly higher than simple plastic ones.

When choosing a corrugation, the following factors must be taken into account.

• Length: minimum in a compressed state and maximum in a stretched state. The structure should not be fully compressed or stretched. The product should easily fit under the plumbing equipment.
• Diameter drain hole of the siphon and the inlet to the sewer drain.

It's a different matter with connecting the drain of washing machines. Higher strength requirements are imposed on these hoses, since due to the smaller diameter, the pressure, especially when draining the washing machine, is increased.For these purposes, thick-walled elbows made of the most durable and elastic materials are often used, resistant to fracture effects and designed for increased pressure.

Connecting the drain of washing machines is done in the following ways.

• Direct connection to the sewer. A special tie-in into the sewer system is provided, but a water seal is used based on a standard hose included in the equipment set (a standard holder is used to give the drain hose a U-shape).
• Connection to the sewerage system by means of an autonomous siphon for the car. Also, a special tie-in into the general drain is carried out, where a siphon is installed, to which, in turn, the drain hose of the washing machine is connected.
• To connect the drain hose of the washing machine to the sewer inlet, The most acceptable solution is to attach the drain to the siphon under the sink. For this, a bottle-type device with an additional connecting nipple of the corresponding diameter, the so-called universal siphon of the combined configuration, must be installed.

Such devices are the most functional and save time and money. They are designed to simultaneously discharge used water from washing machines and sinks. Currently, similar devices with several fittings are produced, which are equipped with back-closing valves. This provides double protection and allows powerful units such as a washing machine and dishwasher to be connected synchronously.

You can learn how to repair the corrugation and siphon from the following video.