What size PVC do you need for a kitchen drain?
Plumbing codes establish guidelines for the minimum sizes of drain pipes in a plumbing system, such as the size of those connected to the kitchen sink drain. Often times the pipes used under the sink are white PVC, especially with more modern ones. PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, and it is a combination of plastic and vinyl.
Minimum size of kitchen sink drain
The minimum size of the kitchen sink pipe can be 1 1/2 inches in diameter (3.7 cm). This minimum size is set by most local plumbing codes so that plumbing can adequately handle sink drain loads. They carry the water used to wash and rinse dishes, and sometimes handle other items, such as small amounts of food. To better carry the load without clogging, many drain pipes that are installed are larger than the minimum measurement, 2 inches in diameter (5 cm).
Advantages of PVC
Kitchen sink pipes are not always PVC, especially older plumbing, which often used made of copper, cast iron, or steel. In addition to having a tight seal and light weight, PVC pipes have other advantages over other materials. It is easier to install and remove, and it is also less expensive than other types of tubes. Although metal pipes are subject to oxidation over time, PVC pipes are durable, and basically resistant to corrosion.
Different parts of the pipe
The tailpiece of the sink drain is the part of the tubing that connects directly to the bottom of the filter basket. This tube connects to a curved one, which is known as a trap. If the other end of this curved tube is attached to a horizontal pipe that leads to a pipe mounting on the wall below and behind the sink, it is called a P-trap. If the curved tube is connected to a tube that goes down in the floor under the sink is called the S-trap.
Kitchen sink tube clogs
Even if you install the correct size PVC pipe under your kitchen sink, annoying clogs can still occur. A common remedy to avoid them is to use a plunger in the drain from above, or remove the trap from below, and empty it of any obstructions. Inserting and using an auger in the pipe, without the trap, is also effective. Common causes of kitchen sink clogs are due to food, grease, and foreign objects that fell into the drain by mistake.