Comparison: S trap vs P trap
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| Installation | Moderate | Easy | Placement | Best downstairs | Best upstairs | Design | Tried and tested | Modern | Backflow prevention | Major | Minor | Likelihood to dry out | Minor | None | Cost | $8 | $7 |
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S Trap vs P Trap: Pros, Cons & Costs
Plumbing is a world of mystery to many. And while some aspects of plumbing can be done by enthusiastic do-it-yourselfers, there are many tasks that should be left to the professionals.
Look under your toilet, and you’ll see a fairly simple setup. In there you’ll see either an S trap or a P trap. These are used for drainage in all homes in Australia and are vital for an efficient system. Often it’s a case of a like-for-like replacement, but there are times when you might want to swap one out.
Which is the right pipe for you? Find out which comes out on top in the S trap vs P trap debate by discovering:
- S trap vs P trap: what’s the difference?
- Advantages of an S trap
- Disadvantages of an S trap
- How much does an S trap cost?
- Advantages of a P trap
- Disadvantages of a P trap
- How much does a P trap cost?
- Comparison: S trap vs P trap
S trap vs P trap: what's the difference?
S traps and P traps are both common pipes used in plumbing. Look at any drain in your home and you’ll see one of the two in there, whether it’s a sink, a bath, a toilet or something else.
The two pipes get their names from their shapes: both look like a letter of the alphabet (although a P trap is often upside down). Both have similar jobs, one of which is to reduce the smell in your bathroom.
Both have similar designs, with the curved shape of each trap keeping a bit of water in the bend. It’s this pool that reduces odours from sewage coming into your home, whether that’s methane or something else. P traps have the added benefit of a longer piece of pipe separating this water reservoir from the outflow.
The traps also collect physical objects. This is useful if you drop a ring down the sink, but it can also be a collecting point for gunk (for example, food scraps or trimmed beard) which over time can build up and slow down water flow.
S traps have been around longer than P traps, so may be more familiar to you. That’s not to say they’re necessarily better or worse, but they’re certainly more common in older Australian homes. The trend in newer homes has been to move to the P trap.
However, with both traps having their benefits, how do you choose which one you should use.
Advantages of an S trap
S traps are generally found in toilets (and for some other plumbing needs, like sinks and baths) when the pipe needs to go through the floor — generally on the lower level of a house.
They’re older than P traps, so if you live in an older home, it’s likely that you have S traps installed.
Disadvantages of an S trap
Many people feel that although an S trap is effective, it’s not as effective as a more modern P trap. If you have the choice for either option, most plumbers would recommend going for a P trap.
One of the main disadvantages the S trap has over a P trap is that it is more likely to dry out. When this happens, you may notice that your bathroom is a bit smellier than normal. Left over a long time, this can become very unpleasant and sometimes even dangerous. Luckily, the fix is simple: just pour a bit of water down the drain.
While S traps are legal in Australia, they can no longer be used in new constructions in America. P traps have become universal over there, which may be a sign of things to come in Australia.
Given that P traps are now becoming more popular, it can be difficult to find S traps in hardware stores. Another option in the debate is a combined S and P trap. This option is more expensive, with few advantages over a standard P trap other than fitting into a space designed for an S trap.
How much does an S trap cost?
As the market shifts to the new design, S traps are harder to find than P traps in Australian hardware stores. If you find one, they’re likely to start from $8.
Keep in mind that if you want to hire a plumber, you’ll have labour costs on top of this. However, they’ll be able to source the parts for you and generally will make things a lot easier for you.
Advantages of a P trap
A P trap is a more recent design than the S trap, which many consider to be an improvement on the standard plumbing option. As a result, you’ll find P traps used more commonly in new builds and on the shelves of hardware stores.
For people unfamiliar with pipe installation, the P trap is generally considered easier to install. They also tend to be more efficient as they’re less likely to dry out. In fact, if installed properly, this should never be a problem. While you may feel comfortable doing this for a sink, for trickier installations, it’s worth calling a qualified plumber.
P traps are much, much less likely to become dry than S traps, meaning you’re less likely to experience foul odours.
A P trap is much more efficient than an S trap when used in the upper levels of a building.
Disadvantages of a P trap
If not installed properly, a P trap might not seal properly and you may experience foul-smelling and potentially dangerous gases coming into your home.
How much does a P trap cost?
A standard PVC P trap costs as little as $7 from a hardware store.
If you want professional help to install the P trap, you’ll likely have to pay a call out fee (generally from $60 to $100) and an hourly rate from $100 to $150.
Get quotes from local plumbers now
FAQs
What is the difference between s trap and p trap?
S Trap and P trap have similar roles and designs, except the more modern P trap has a longer pipe meaning it’s less likely to dry out and therefore it’s less likely harmful and odorous gases will enter your home.
Which is better s trap or p trap?
Although the S trap has been around longer, the P trap is generally considered to be the more advanced of the two designs.
Why is S trap illegal?
The S trap is legal in Australia. In America, it has been made illegal for new builds as the P trap is more efficient.
Can you convert a S trap to a P trap?
To do this, you’d have to remove the S trap and replace it with a P trap. If you’re unsure of the procedure, you may be best off calling a plumber.
How do you tell if your toilet is a P trap?
To tell what kind of pipe you have, you just need to perform a visual check. The P trap gets its name from its resemblance to the letter P.
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