In order for the sewerage in the house to work efficiently and not create unnecessary problems, it is necessary to take into account many nuances. One of these moments is blocking the entry of unpleasant odors from pipes into the room.
To do this, all plumbing fixtures are equipped, and the central riser is equipped with a fan (ventilation) pipe. If the fan pipe does not cope with its duties or it is absent at all, a sewer aerator can be installed.
Installation of this device is optional, and is done both on an already working system and on a new one.
What is a sewer aerator and why is it needed
The sewer air valve is a small plastic device with a hole in the housing for air supply. Inside it there is a channel for the passage of air and a damper, which is triggered by the action of a membrane or rod.
The duties of a sewer aerator include:
- blocking unpleasant odors in pipes;
- stabilization of internal and external pressure in the pipeline.
Principle of operation
As mentioned above, the operation of this device is to block sewer gases and compensate for pressure in the pipes. The lock for an unpleasant smell is usually a siphon, but not always successfully.
Video: What is a sewer vacuum valve for?
The thing is, when a large amount of drained liquid enters, the so-called volley discharge, a lot of pressure is formed in the system. When the water reaches the central riser and rushes in, a vacuum is formed in the pipes, which leads to the breakdown of the hydraulic seals. After that, the smell freely penetrates the room. To prevent this from happening, the riser is equipped with a ventilation pipe and is displayed on the roof.
However, this method has several drawbacks. Firstly, it can simply clog up, and secondly, during its installation, the integrity of the roof may be violated. Or, as it often happens, especially in old houses with existing sewerage systems, it is completely absent.
As soon as a vacuum is created in the pipe, the membrane is activated in the aerator and the hole opens. Through this hole, the missing air enters the system and the pressure stabilizes. After the water has left, and the sewer has filled with air and the pressure has equalized, the valve closes and odors cannot enter the room.
Installation of a sewer aerator
To properly install a sewer air valve, you must follow a few rules.
- The aerator must be located in a warm room, the temperature in which is not below zero;
- The place must be accessible for maintenance and replacement of the valve;
- The aerator is mounted in a socket of a pipe and to settle down strictly vertically.
On a note! The air valve is installed at least 10 cm above the maximum discharge point. If the system is equipped with a floor drain grate, the minimum mounting height is 35 cm above the floor.
The device of modern sewer valves allows you to install them in almost any room: bathroom, toilet, kitchen, attic, etc. It is not necessary to call a specialist to install an aerator, you can do everything yourself.
Stages of work:
- Shutdown of water, in order to avoid unauthorized discharge and the formation of a flood.
- If the installation is carried out on a horizontal pipe, part of the pipe is dismantled. If the aerator is installed on the riser, nothing needs to be removed.
- After that, the valve is assembled and installed according to the instructions included in the kit.
On a note! If the aerator is installed in a horizontal plane, then the pointer in the form of an arrow applied to the body coincided with the direction of the flow of sewage.
Choosing an aerator
When choosing this equipment, you should pay attention to such aspects as:
- device type;
- diameter;
- company is a manufacturer.
Types of aerators
Today, manufacturers offer a choice of three types:
- kinetic - the task of this device is to prevent the accumulation of excess air in the pipeline;
- automatic - serves to remove air under high pressure;
- combined - combines the functions of the two previous valves.
For efficient and trouble-free operation, it is better to buy the latter option.
Valve diameter
The correct choice of the diameter of the vacuum sewer valve is the second most important factor to consider when choosing a device. Let's dwell on this in more detail.
Such a valve can handle only a small amount of water and is installed on the drain pipe from a bathtub, sink, etc. There are several rules for its installation:
- it can only be connected to a pipe with the smallest diameter;
- mounted after the last plumbing fixture;
- installed at the highest point of the pipeline.
These valves are able to handle large amounts of fluid and are connected to a riser or to the end of a downpipe. Produced with both internal and external mounting element. Advantages:
- no need to bring the pipe through the ceiling and roof;
- automatic pressure control;
- affordable price and easy installation.
Manufacturer's choice and price
In order for the sewage system to work smoothly and not cause unnecessary trouble, it is better to choose an air valve from trusted and well-known manufacturers. The most popular and purchased aerators are manufactured by the following companies:
- Ostendorf - Germany;
- McAlpine - Scotland;
- Politek - Russia.
The table below shows the average prices for vacuum sewer valves from these manufacturers:
The prices indicated in the table are average for Moscow and the Moscow region. The exact cost can be found on the manufacturer's website.
When choosing a sewer aerator, carefully select the place of its installation and decide in advance on the required type and diameter of the device. If you install it yourself, follow the instructions and installation rules recommended by the valve manufacturer.
Video: Causes of sewer smell in the bathroom and kitchen + how to make a vacuum valve
