Assembling a siphon is easy. If there is no instruction at hand, wit or a video clip on the Internet will help out. However, in all cases there are subtleties. They will be discussed.
The siphon is located under the kitchen sink and is connected to its drain hole. The device is needed to push large particles of debris out of the stream, which could cause clogging of the pipe. This method of cleaning will not completely eliminate blockages, but there is a certain benefit. In addition, it prevents the penetration of unpleasant odors and harmful bacteria from the drain pipe. Before we talk about how to assemble a sink siphon in the kitchen, let’s figure out what varieties exist and how it all works.
How it works
The material used is plastic-polyethylene or polypropylene, or metal-chrome steel, copper, brass, and bronze. The material does not rust and does not collapse under the influence of moisture and aggressive environments. Plastic products are the cheapest. They are easy to use and absolutely reliable. If you choose a case made of polymers, it is better to give preference to polypropylene, as it is less flexible and less prone to deformation under the influence of hot water. Metal costs more. The high price is justified by the absence of deformations, the rigidity of the joints, and the long service life. Mass in this case does not play a role.
The variety of forms and technical solutions is a little confusing at first, but the tasks and the principle of operation are the same. The device is a hydraulic seal – a pipe or other container bent to the bottom, in which there is always a certain amount of water that does not allow odors from the sewer to penetrate.
From an engineering point of view, devices can be classified as follows:
- Pipe – a curved tube made of metal. It is combined and solid. In the latter case, there should be an inspection hatch in the lower part of the bend to remove fatty deposits and large particles of debris;
- Corrugated – a kind of pipe. It does not have inspection holes, and it is difficult to clean it, since the corrugated hose has an uneven surface, and deposits easily accumulate in the folds;
- Bottle or flask-shaped is distinguished by the presence of a flask that creates a water seal. The flask (bottle, glass) has an easily unscrewed bottom, which makes cleaning much more convenient compared to the first option. It can be of two types. In the first case, the water seal works thanks to the tube inside the body, in the second – thanks to the partition;
- Flat – instead of a flask, a wide flat sump pipe is installed in it. It is used in cases when it is necessary to save space under the sink, for example, if a washing machine is located there.
Models for double sinks are also available, in which two outlets are attached to one body. There are varieties with one and two additional outlets that provide drainage from the washing machine and dishwasher. The drain-and-overflow system protects the sink from overflowing. All these devices can only work with bottle cases: both plastic and metal. The connection to the sewer pipe and to the outlet where water flows from the bowl is in all cases done in the same way, so all the nuances of the installation can be considered not as an example of a flask-shaped device.
Set of parts and tools
To understand how the siphon is attached to the sink in the kitchen, you should understand the set of parts that make it up. Most often, the following products are supplied with the kit:
- grate covering the drain hole of the sink;
- rubber pads;
- outlet pipe;
- nuts and screws for connecting the sink and the body;
- frame;
- drain pipe;
- nut for connection with a sewer pipe.
Of the tools, you need only a screwdriver. You may have to use a sealant, but such a need does not arise often, since global manufacturers produce plumbing and parts for it according to the standard so that all products fit together.
Installing a siphon under the sink in the kitchen
You should start by checking if all the details are in place. There is a list of them in the instructions, and even if an unscrupulous manufacturer did not complete the kit, the instructions will contain a complete list of all components. In addition, having studied the algorithm of actions in advance, it will be much easier to work.
At this stage, checking the quality of components will not hurt, especially if the kit was inexpensive. Marriage includes sharp edges, and burrs that can damage gaskets. It is better to cut them with a knife. Irregularities cause prefabricated elements do not fit snugly together, allowing water to seep out.
Installation is done from top to bottom in the following order
- A protective grate is attached to the drain hole in the bowl. It usually comes with two gaskets. If their thickness is less than 4 mm, it makes sense to buy more massive ones. White is placed on the front side of the bowl, and black – on the bottom. Through these gaskets, a branch pipe is connected to it. It is attached to the grill with a metal screw located in its center. The screw is tightened with a screwdriver tightly, but so as not to strip the thread. In some models, gaskets are already glued. There are also modifications in which fastening is carried out without screws by means of a plastic nut that is put on from below.
- A flask is inserted into the nozzle – a coupling nut with a diameter of 32 mm is put on the just screwed tube with a thread down, then a conical gasket. The wide side of it should be facing the nut. The height of the housing is regulated within a wide range. If you raise it all the way, draining may be difficult. If lowered too low, there is a risk of the flask falling. When the height is adjusted, the nut is tightened. No tools are needed for this – this operation requires almost no effort.
- A cover is screwed to the bottom of the body, which performs the function of an inspection hatch. When clogged, it is removed and cleaned.
- A pipe nut is put on the drain hole of the flask. Its other side with an elongated black seal at the end is placed in the sewer pipe. The seal is needed to prevent the penetration of odors from the sewer and wastewater when it is clogged.
- Make sure all connections are tight. To do this, water should be supplied under a slight pressure, after substituting a bucket. If there are no leaks, the pressure can be increased.
In the process of assembling the siphon under the sink in the kitchen, it is important not to overtighten the plastic nuts, otherwise, the rubber gaskets will crush them, which will reduce their service life. If they are not held out, the drop in the strength of the joints will gradually increase until after some time the entire structure will fall apart with all the ensuing consequences.
In a normal kit, you should not use a sealant. Firstly, it is not necessary, and secondly, if you have to install another kit, the sealant will have to be cleaned off to give the joints density, and this is not so easy to do.
If you want to put a new pipe on the old sink, you will have to get rid of the old one. For several years of service, it sticks to the surface. When dismantling, it is better to first remove the lower part, then unscrew the screw. It is important not to force things – otherwise, you can bend the sink. The plastic tube must be gradually loosened, and then it will fall off by itself. Before attaching a new one, the surface should be cleaned of plaque.
Non-standard option
In those rare cases when the elements of the system do not fit together well, it is better to try to find a replacement for them. It is not always possible to do this, and then a hacksaw, a set of wrenches, a sealant, and a sealing tape come to the rescue. You can use this technology at all stages, up to connecting the siphon to the sewer.
To make it easier for yourself, it is better to remove the sink. It is advisable to plug the sewer pipe with an unnecessary rag for the duration of the work.
It is worth starting work only after the completion of all measurements. If the tube is too long, you can cut it with a simple hacksaw. It is important not to forget to clean the edges of burrs with sandpaper.
There are situations when the reliability of the connection is in doubt, and then you can not do without a sealant. They cover the thread immediately before installation. If a gasket is used, it is carefully coated with a thick layer with the expectation that all gaps will be closed with a sealing compound. The same method is used if the grate is not quite suitable for the bowl.
Metal joints should in no case be rusty. For sealing threaded connections, it is better to use hemp.
How to install a siphon on a sink with overflow in the kitchen
The installation scheme for a sink system with an overflow is a little more complicated. In this case, a hole with a hydraulic valve is provided at the top of the bowl, into which water flows when it overflows. Such a system is used with all types of systems. Excess water is discharged through a special pipe into the flask body or into a curved pipe or corrugated hose, depending on the design we are dealing with. When buying, it is important to take into account the length of the pipe – it should be enough to reach from the hydraulic valve to the drain hole. If it turns out to be too long, it is not a fact that it will be easy to hide the excess. Sellers will help you choose the right length according to the size of the bowl. Their help is not needed if you buy a prefabricated telescopic tube or corrugated hose.
The valve is fitted with gaskets, but the surface must be thoroughly cleaned and degreased before installation. Fastening is done with a clamping nut.
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