Siphon for shower tray: design, purpose, installation features

Choose siphon for shower cabin, it turns out, is not so simple.A number of questions arise: what is its function, what varieties are on sale, how do their designs differ, and what parameters should you pay attention to when purchasing?

We will try to help you deal with all these issues - in our article you will find information on the types of siphons, their design features, the pros and cons of each type. As well as recommendations for choosing the appropriate option for your shower and detailed step-by-step installation instructions.

What is a siphon used for?

Not only the shower tray, but also all other plumbing fixtures must be connected to the drain through a siphon. The task of this element of drainage fittings is to ensure unhindered drainage of water from the shower stall into the sewer.

Manufacturers are developing new, improved models that not only drain water, but facilitate its rapid removal in a matter of seconds.

The smell from the sewer is not just unpleasant. Gases can be toxic and hazardous to health if inhaled

This creates a water plug that prevents sewer odors from passing from the pipe into the room. More detailed information about water seal for sewerage reviewed here.

A water seal is a special siphon design. If you do not use the shower stall for a long time, the water plug may dry out. If this happens, the bathroom will fill with an unpleasant odor.

To correct the situation is very simple - turn on the water. A new hydraulic seal is formed, and the problem disappears.

Classification of siphons by design

Based on their design features, there are several types of siphons:

• bottle type;
• pipe;
• corrugated;
• dry.

Separately, the presence or absence of an overflow in the design should be highlighted. All of them can be used when connecting a shower tray. When choosing a specific type, you need to take into account the presence of an overflow hole in the pan design.

If the tray for the cabin is equipped with an overflow, you definitely need an appropriate siphon, because when the tray overflows, water will simply flow through the hole onto the floor.

Such fittings can be any of the above varieties. A distinctive feature is the presence of an additional pipe connecting the siphon structure and the overflow.

The presence of such a feature as an overflow makes the use of a shower tray more practical. With sufficient depth, you can bathe a small child in it, like in a bath, or even do laundry

As a rule, the upper hole has a smaller diameter - about 4 cm. The connecting hose is made flexible - from a corrugated pipe, since the location of the overflow can vary depending on the type of shower stall, and the siphon should fit most models.

Now let's take a closer look at the main types of siphons. To understand how they work, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of each type, as well as their disadvantages and advantages.

Type #1 - bottle siphon

The first type of siphons is the bottle type. In its design it resembles a flask. A drain from a pan with a filter grid (outlet) is connected at one end, and a sewer pipe is connected at the other end.

The hydraulic seal is formed due to the fact that the outlet from the siphon is located above the edge of the inlet pipe.

There are two construction options: with a tube immersed in water, or with two communicating chambers with a partition. Both varieties are equally effective

The device is made of plastic. Sediment collects at the bottom and must be removed periodically.

To clean a bottle model, the drainage fittings must be accessible from below, and the design of standard shower trays rarely requires a comfortable height. For this reason, the classic bottle shape cannot be used for low trays.

Type #2 - pipe version with a water seal

An equally common option is a pipe siphon. It is a curved tube made of hard plastic. A bend is required.

Most often, pipe models are made in the shape of the letter “S” or the letter “U”. This configuration ensures the natural formation of a water plug in the bends.

In addition to the height of the siphon itself, it is necessary to take into account the necessary angle of deflection for normal outflow of water. The reference point is the place of insertion into the sewer pipe

Pipe siphons are compact and easily fit under the shower stall. There are modifications for pallets of any height, even the lowest ones. Thanks to the smooth inner surface of the plastic from which the device is made, contaminants do not accumulate on the walls, but are sent straight to the drain.

The main advantages of this type of drainage fittings are durability and the absence of the need for frequent cleaning.

Type #3 - corrugated siphon

The most popular siphons for low pallets are made from corrugated pipe. According to the principle of operation, they are identical to conventional pipe models, but their main feature is contained in a flexible and elastic corrugation: the siphon can be manually set to any suitable shape.

This versatility makes corrugated models suitable for all shower enclosures.

The main condition is that the bend of the siphon must be made so that the water in this place completely blocks the pipe opening. Only in this case will the hydraulic valve function correctly

The main disadvantage of this design is caused by the structure of the corrugated hose. Since its entire inner surface consists of small folds, dirt accumulates in them.

In addition, to ensure the necessary flexibility, the thickness of the hose walls is quite low, which also affects the durability of the device. The siphon quickly breaks down and requires cleaning.

Type #4 - dry siphon version

In order to ensure the minimum possible height of the siphon, manufacturers abandoned the conventional water seal in favor of a new technology for protection against sewer “odors” - a silicone membrane.

Models with such a system are called dry siphons, because water does not linger in them, but goes directly into the drain. The silicone membrane acts as a valve, allowing water to flow in the desired direction, but retaining gases from the drain.

It looks like a tightly rolled polymer tube, which straightens out and allows the flow of water to pass through, and as soon as it stops, it returns to its original position.

Another advantage of this design is that it does not freeze or dry out. Even in the presence of a heated floor - a frequent culprit of evaporation of the water seal and the appearance of unpleasant odors in the bathroom - the silicone membrane will not be damaged in any way

This feature plays an important role in rooms that are heated intermittently, for example, in a free-standing bathhouse or sauna in the country. In this situation, the presence of a siphon, which does not need to be “preserved” every time so that it does not crack due to frost due to the water remaining in it, is a significant advantage.

This type of siphon is the most expensive, but its efficiency justifies the high price. Fittings with a dry seal are installed even under the lowest shower trays, where it is impossible to install other models.

In addition to the high cost of the device itself, if the membrane becomes dirty or damaged, repairs will also be expensive.

We reviewed more detailed information on the types of shower drains In this article.

Types of siphons according to the method of drainage control

The siphon for the tray is part of the drain design. There is often a need to leave some water in the pan. To do this, close the outlet of the siphon.

There are several options on how to do this:

• using a cork;
• using a lever;
• by pressing the button.

Let's look at all drain control methods to understand how they work.

Cork as a control mechanism

The most primitive elementary option is a design with a plug. This outlet is not equipped with any valves; the water simply leaves the pan through the hole and goes straight into the siphon. To collect water, the drain hole is closed manually using a plug.

This design does not present any complexity. This technique is familiar to everyone, because it is used in ordinary bathtubs and sinks. In modern shower stalls, ordinary drains are used less and less.

Tray siphons, in which the drain hole is closed with a plug if necessary, are in little demand. They are being replaced by more convenient models with a button

The concept of a “drain plug” will soon completely disappear from everyday life; it will be replaced by new automatic devices.

Drain control using a lever

An outlet with an automatic bottom valve is much more convenient than a conventional “plug” system. There is no need to constantly look for this same plug; the hole closes automatically when you turn the lever.

The design is quite simple; the lever is usually located in the mixer area.The valve and mixer are sold and installed together, which is not very convenient.

Turning the valve leads to partial or complete blocking of the drain hole. This system is convenient because there is no need to bend over, look for a plug or immerse your hand in water.

Click-clack button for water release

Separately from the mixer, you can purchase an automatic drain valve of the Click-clack system, also known as Push&Open. The valve is a large button that can be pressed with your foot.

The push-button flush system is easy to use, looks stylish and doesn't require you to dip your fingers into dirty water to release the water, as is the case with a plug.

When pressed once, the drain closes, when pressed again, it opens. Using such a device is as easy as shelling pears, and its installation is much easier and faster than an automatic lever valve.

Features of choosing drainage fittings for showers

Choosing the right siphon for a shower tray is not as simple a task as it seems at first glance.

Decisive factors to consider when choosing:

• geometric dimensions - hole diameter and height;
• quality of material;
• technical characteristics - throughput and performance;
• complexity of installation;
• operating features.

Having comprehensively assessed the model you like based on all indicators, you can finally make your choice.

Geometry and appearance of the device

The installation height is selected depending on the design of the pallet and the method of its installation. If the shower stall is installed on an elevated surface, the range of sizes increases significantly.

Most often there are siphons with a height of 8 to 20 cm.The most difficult thing is to choose the right option for low pallets installed directly on the floor. We recommend that you read the information on how to choose the right one siphon for low tray.

Low pallets, as a rule, are installed without any foundation, directly on the floor, and even glued tightly with polyurethane foam, without thinking about the consequences. The siphon for such a booth must be chosen with all responsibility, because replacing it will require considerable effort

According to standards, the diameter of the drain hole can be:

• 52 mm;
• 62 mm;
• 90 mm.

Here the choice is obvious - the diameter of the inlet grid of the drain fittings must coincide with the hole in the pan. When purchasing, evaluate the quality of the build and the parts themselves.

The plastic case should not have visible damage: cracks, scratches, chips, dents. Any traces of deformation of the product will undoubtedly affect the tightness of the fittings and will make themselves known by an early leak.

Technical parameters and operating features

The throughput of the siphon shows how many liters of water per second go into the sewer. This indicator is important for shower stalls, because the depth of the tray is usually not high, and a lot of water is consumed.

To ensure that the pan does not flood and the water has time to drain away, the drainage fittings must be selected in conjunction with the mixer and its performance.

The minimum throughput is standardized by GOST 23289-94. For low shower trays with outlet it should be at least 15 l/min, and for deep trays and siphons with overflow - at least 21 l/min

The throughput is calculated in accordance with the height of the pallet itself and the diameter of the siphon outlet hole.The outlet diameter of 5.2 and 6.2 cm makes it possible to collect up to 12 cm of water in the pan, the diameter of 9 cm – up to 15 cm.

Performance characteristics and installation complexity

Installation of plastic siphon models is carried out using a minimum of tools. The main thing is to maintain the tightness of all connections.

According to regulatory documentation, drain fittings must be easily disassembled by hand, which is very important in emergency situations when the drain is clogged or broken.

A good addition is catchers for hair and large debris. Such meshes make siphon maintenance simple and quick.

The main difficulty in operating tray siphons is cleaning. When choosing a siphon, analyze how easy it is to get to it and whether this is possible without dismantling the entire cabin.

Some fittings with an outlet diameter of 90 mm can be cleaned directly through the drain hole. Its size allows you to disassemble and remove all the necessary elements, and then install them in the reverse order. There are also self-cleaning models.

Siphon installation instructions

Installation of a siphon for a shower stall with a tray can be carried out without the involvement of a professional plumber. You can do this yourself, since no special tools or special skills are required.

The tools you will need are an adjustable wrench and a sealant gun in a tube. When choosing a sealant, pay attention to its composition - for a shower stall it is better to take silicone

The installation process can be described as follows:

1. Place the pallet on the base. We recommend watching the step-by-step instructions for pallet installation.
2. Measurements are taken.The height of the drain hole of the shower stall should be several centimeters greater than the height of the inlet to the sewer pipe. It is necessary to maintain a slope of 2-3 degrees.
3. If the pan is installed correctly, proceed to installing the siphon. To begin with, it should be disassembled in accordance with the instructions.
4. All connections should be covered with sealant to prevent leaks.
5. A grate and gasket are installed in the drain hole.
6. If there is an overflow, install a cone-shaped gasket and nut on the corrugated tube. Connect one end of the corrugation to the overflow hole, and the other to the siphon.
7. Screw the assembled siphon to the outlet and overflow. A rubber gasket and a union nut are put on the flexible pipe. Twist tightly.
8. An element with a pipe is cut into the sewer pipe. We looked at the process of connecting the shower room to communications in more detail. in another article.
9. Connect the fittings to the sewer.

After installation, carry out a test run. If there is an automatic bottom valve, check its operation. Fill the pan full and drain the water. As a rule, if depressurization occurs, when a large amount of water is drained (under the pressure of its own weight), the leak can be easily identified.

Drops may appear at the junction - this is a bad sign. In this case, you will have to start all over again and devote more time to isolation.

Another important tip: don't over-tighten the nuts. An overtightened connection can cause gasket deformation. In this state, it is not able to fully perform its function, which becomes a common cause of a wet floor under the siphon.

The following selection of photos will briefly demonstrate the process of installing and connecting a siphon for a shower:

Care and operation after installation

Operation of the siphon comes down to monitoring and cleaning if necessary.

To ensure that the fittings fail as rarely as possible, it is recommended to do preventive flushing once every six months. This is done using special chemicals that are suitable for plastic pipes.

If a blockage occurs, it is better not to pick the drain with a metal brush or other sharp object, as this can further aggravate the situation. It is very easy to punch a hole in a fragile corrugated pipe. In this case, complete dismantling and disassembly of the entire structure is inevitable.

Another unacceptable cleaning method is blowing with compressed air under high pressure. A siphon for a shower tray consists of several components. Its weak point is connections.

High pressure will almost certainly cause depressurization and failure of the entire system.

Timely care of plumbing fixtures, fittings and sewer pipes will help you avoid many troubles in the future. Otherwise, you may end up with a clogged drain.

We have a number of useful articles on our website on choosing the best product and methods for removing blockages. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with them:

• How to choose a sewer pipe cleaner: a comparative review of all types of products
• How to clear a clogged sewer pipe at home: solutions + tips for prevention
• Cleaning sewer pipes: analysis of all cleaning methods with step-by-step instructions

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

To avoid any questions about the structure and installation sequence of siphons of various modifications, watch the proposed video reviews and instructions.

The structure of the click-clack siphon:

Assembling the bottle model:

Step-by-step guide to dismantling the old siphon and installing a new one:

The drain siphon for the tray is an essential part of the shower stall. Having familiarized yourself with its purpose, varieties and design features, you can easily make the right choice when purchasing and carry out installation yourself.

Have you installed a siphon in your shower tray yourself? Tell us what type of siphon you chose and did you encounter any difficulties during installation?

Are you satisfied with your siphon or maybe you want to replace it with a new one with a different type of design - share your experience in the comments under our article.