What are Bottle Traps and How Do They Work?
Most people don't think about what happens after water goes down their bathroom drain. But the parts hidden under your basin matter just as much as the ones you can see.
Bottle traps are small fixtures that stop smells and blockages and keep your sink working. Understanding how they work helps you make better choices for your bathroom and avoid potential problems down the track.
What is a bottle trap?
A bottle trap is a plumbing fixture that connects your basin to your drainage pipes. You’ll see it underneath your sink, either exposed or hidden in your vanity.
The trap collects a small amount of water every time you use your sink to block bad smells and insects from coming up through your pipes. It gets its name from its bottle-like shape.
How does a bottle trap work?
Bottle traps use water to create a seal in your plumbing system. Here’s how that works:
- Water flows down from your sink into the vertical part of your trap
- This part fills and then flows into the horizontal part of your trap
- Some water always stays in the bottom of the trap
- This water creates a seal that blocks sewer gases and insects from coming up the pipes
- When you next use your sink, that water pushes the old water through
- The seal constantly renews itself
Bottle traps also catch anything that slips past your basin waste to prevent blockages in your main pipes.
5 benefits of bottle traps
Bottle traps are progressive by modern plumbing standards. Here are some of the best bottle trap features:
Keeps your bathroom fresh
Bottle traps stop sewer gases from stinking up your bathroom. The water seal keeps the potentially harmful gases in the sewer system where they belong.
Controls pests
The seal also stops insects from crawling up through your pipes. This is especially important in ground-floor bathrooms or pest-prone areas.
Stops pipe blockages
Bottle traps are a secondary filter for your plumbing system. The trap design makes it possible to recover anything valuable that falls down the drain.
The trap cleans itself
Every time you use your sink, fresh water flushes through the trap, carrying away any residue. That being said, if your sink is draining slowly or there are bad smells coming out of it, you’ll need to properly clean the part.
Lasts for years
Good bottle traps are made from corrosion-resistant solid brass that lasts for years. Quality fittings also mean fewer replacements and better long-term value.
Bottle traps vs other waste traps
Basin waste traps come in a few shapes. Here’s how two common options — P-traps and S-traps — compare to bottle traps:
- P-traps: P-traps are common in older bathrooms but are still used today where old setups are already in place. They curve into a P shape, and the waste pipe goes horizontally into the wall.
- S-traps: S-traps form an S shape that directs water down through your floor instead of into the wall. They need more space in a vanity but are a good option for floor plumbing connections.
- Bottle traps: Bottle traps are a modern type of waste trap. They don’t take up much space in your vanity and even look great on display with wall-mounted basins.
Choosing the right bottle trap
Every bathroom needs proper plumbing to keep up hygiene and functionality. Bottle traps are one small but important part of this system.
Yabby's bottle traps are a step up from your usual white PVC or clay traps — they come in a range of metal finishes, from antique brass to chrome, to match your other bathroom fixtures. Shop online today for bottle traps and other bathroom hardware, tapware and bathware.
Layla Sawyer
Layla is a creative at heart, with an Advanced Diploma in Interior Design and being the Senior Marketing and Ecommerce Coordinator here at Yabby she has a passion for staying up to date with the latest trends within the industry. Known for going down a rabbit hole on Pinterest and being a sucker for a good mood board to kick off any project.