One of the common kitchen plumbing challenges for the DIY repairman is to create a kitchen sink drainage line. This article will describe how to correctly install a PVC pipe drain for the kitchen sink.
In the past all plumbing pipes were made of brass or copper. Today, having learned that brass piping is susceptible to corrosion, more plumbing pipes are being constructed of PVC (polyvinyl chloral) a form of plastic that is inexpensive and resistant to corrosion.
In this article I will explain how you can replace old corroded sink drain pipes with modern PVC piping.
The kitchen sink drain is a small metal threaded tail, which protrudes from underneath the bottom of the sink. It is generally 1 1/2 inches in diameter. This is the standard size for sink drainage pipes. The tail comes with a metal nut, which must be be fitted over the head of the PVC pipe. When the pipe is sliped over the tail of the sink drain, the nut is tightened creating a strong seal. The pipe also comes with a plastic washer, which sits on its head and cushions the seal. Pipe thread compound can help seal the joint and make it easy to disassemble it if a clog should develop.
Before actually connecting the pipe, the homeowner must create the full drainage assembly. Drainage PVC piping is user friendly because it employs slip joint connections, which allow the pipes to be adjusted for size and then tightened in place.
Contemporary home construction generally makes use of a horizontal drainage line to connect the sink tail piece and its dropping vertical segment to the exit pipe, which passes through the wall. The connection between the vertical and horizontal segments forms a “p” shaped curve called the “p” trap. The trap is always filled with water and prevents noxious gases from reentering the house.
When actually installing sink piping it is essential to check the local building codes. The sink drain must be connected to a “venting pipe,” which prevents the formation of low pressure areas in the drain that might suck water out of the “P” trap and allow sewer odors to return into the kitchen. The building codes describe the permissible length of the horizontal segment, and how close the “vent” must be to the trap. While such regulations create obstacles for the DIY home repair man, improper installation will be flagged by home inspectors and this will lower the value of the house.
If there is more than one sink basin being drained, the two drainage tail pipes can be connected by a “T” junction. The PVC slip joint connections will enable the homeowner to design a piece that exactly spans the distance between the two sink drain tail pieces. Good-luck on your Sink plumbing installation