One of the important rules when designing a sewerage system is the absence of an unpleasant odor indoors. To do this, special measures are taken to block the reverse flow of air from the riser. Siphons that have water locks are installed on plumbing fixtures. However, this is not always enough. One of the effective means is an aerator.
Operating principle of the aerator
Before you begin to understand the purpose and design features, you should ask what are the reasons for the flow of air into the apartment from the central riser. The main source of this is waste collection points, or, to be more precise, plumbing fixtures. Air masses move through their outlet pipe. This phenomenon suggests pressure in the riser pipe.
To identify the cause, it is recommended to consider an example of the functioning of a toilet in a house or apartment. Quite often it is this that becomes the cause of unwanted air exchange. If there is a volley discharge of liquid in a large volume from the tank, this will cause the pressure in the riser to increase as a result of such movement. The entire volume of water will end up in a vertical pipe, and then it will rush down. There will be an insufficient amount of air, some of which will escape through the pipes under pressure. The pressure distribution will be uneven; gas leakage will lead to uneven pressure distribution under the liquid layer.
In siphons, water locks will not be able to contain the pressure and gas, the last of which will enter the room. This leak must be compensated, for which the pipe should be taken to the roof - the lack of air will come from there. But if this technique does not work, then the fence will be carried out from pipes connected to the riser. The outlet pipes of the devices will be able to compensate for the discharged pressure. Some of the smell from the sewer will penetrate inside. In order to eliminate this phenomenon, a sewer aerator is used.
What else you need to know about the features of the aerator
The above-mentioned device is installed in order to prevent gases from entering the premises during the occurrence of excess pressure. If you install such devices at the design points of the pipeline and at the end ends of the risers, then the internal low pressure will be maintained until stabilization. If a vacuum occurs, the aerator will begin its work; a special valve will be activated in it, providing air flow to balance the external and internal pressure.
Thus, the sewer aerator performs two main functions. But for proper operation of the device, it is important to know how to install it and at what point in the highway a certain model is required. When the systems began to be installed, the need arose to install aerators. For stable operation, it is necessary to ensure air exchange between the line and the environment. This role is played by a riser that extends above the roof. If you follow the standards, then it should be located at a height of at least 500 mm. But the distance to the nearest window structures can be 5 m.
Job protection
The sewer aerator is protected from debris by installing a deflector at its end. In winter, there is a possibility of ice formation. This can happen due to temperature differences, because the air is heated by sewage, and the temperature difference causes condensation to form. If the temperature outside is below freezing, the condensation will turn into ice. The sewer aerator will be reduced in diameter, and a drop in internal pressure will occur, which will result from a lack of air supply.
In order to eliminate the problems described above, the riser is placed in the attic, while it will not be in contact with the street, but an unpleasant odor will spread throughout the room. An aerator will eliminate this problem, because gases will be retained in the pipe, which will become protection. In addition, the function of an air valve will begin to function, which serves to stabilize the pressure.
About the operating principle from a constructive point of view
Why you need an aerator in the sewer system was described above. But in order to understand how this device copes with the tasks assigned to it, it is necessary to become more familiar with the principle of operation from a design point of view. When a large volume of water is released, a vacuum occurs in the system. At this time, the aerator lifts the rod with the membrane, it opens the holes located on the side. Through them, the required volume of air enters the sewerage system, during which the pressure is equalized.
As soon as the column of water goes inside the riser, the membrane rod moves down. The holes on the sides are blocked, air stops flowing inside, and the aerator device equalizes the pressure and does not allow the smell to enter the premises. Installation of an aerator on a sewer should be carried out taking into account certain recommendations.
When choosing a device, you should pay attention to the installation method. On sale you can find units designed for vertical and horizontal risers. It is also important to inquire about the power of the device, because it is this parameter that will determine the volume of air that can pass through the system at a time. At the same time, it is better not to skimp, but to prefer a higher quality model.
Aerator diameters
The 110 mm sewer aerator is one of the modifications of such devices. Devices may differ not only in their internal structure, but also in appearance; in addition, they are combined according to the principle of operation. The most common aerators are 110 and 50 mm.
The first option can be installed on a common sewer system that goes into the attic. An aerator can be installed on an auxiliary riser in the bathroom of an apartment or private house, and one of the units must be located in the attic. 50 mm should be located near plumbing fixtures. This format is intended to serve one or two pieces of equipment.
The device must be installed if the length of the horizontal pipe is quite impressive. This recommendation also applies to the case when pipes of different diameters are being transferred. In order to ensure proper operation of the device, the pipe must be given a horizontal slope.
Professionals do not advise exposing the vacuum aerator for sewage to excessive load. This would be true if the device needed to be installed on the drain pipe of a dishwasher or washing machine. That is why the unit should be located on top of the sewer riser.
Installation Features
An aerator for sewage, the principle of operation of which was described above, must be installed in rooms that will be operated at an air temperature of at least 0 °C. If the temperature is lower, the device may fail due to freezing. It is important to ensure light ventilation of the room where the device is intended to be installed.
If the ventilation in the toilet or bathroom is not so intense, then additional installation of the device will be required. It is important to guarantee free access to the aerator installation site. This requirement is due to the need for maintenance or replacement. The aerator should be installed at the highest point, 10 cm above the plumbing fixtures, to the left. If there are drains on the floor, then the minimum height of the valve will be 35 cm.
