Automatic “squirters” installed in floor drains to keep the trap from drying out from lack of use, are often specified by plumbing designers.
Never have I met a plumber who did not say “p’shaw! Those things don’t work! They break within three years and then either leak, causing a huge water bill, or they stop working and the trap dried out anyway”
So, I have always deleted them. However, sitting at a preconstruction conference for bank, recently, I suggested deleting the trap primers, and the Team of Architects and Engineers looked at me in horror, and said “of course they work! That’s why we spec’d them. These plumbers who badmouth them are too lazy to install them! The building will fill up with dangerous sewer gases without them!”
So what’s the scoop? Anybody have any real life experiences with these things?
Obviously, their intended purpose is important. But if the moving parts in the units which are concealed behind walls or under concrete fail in a couple of years anyway, should they not be deleted?
Replies
we have not had great luck with them. I do not like them and don't like to install them. a few alternatives, 1) someone makes a one way rubber sleeve that helps prevent evaporation and sewer gas from backing into the restroom. very simple, cheap and easy to install. 2) plumb the floor drain as you normally would and top off the water in the p-trap with some vegitable oil once a year.
we deal with this all the time, good luck
Dave
Yes, they work.
Yes, they fail and need servicing.
If the plans don't allow for access, send a letter to the designers and keep a copy in your files.
Here is the site for the rubber valve mentioned by boulderbuilder:
http://www.trapguard.com/
I showed them to my inspector and he was satisfied.
we have plumbed a condensate drain to a floor drain for that very reason... i don't know if it was code then or now... just seemed like a good idea at the time
p
Thanks for the input guys.
It helps to know I'm not alone when arguing the case with the designers.