Hep_VO in the Bathroom

Hep_vO, the sanitary waste valve can be installed in a number of bathroom applications including; Sinks, Bath Tubs, Bidets, and Showers.

As house design becomes more complex, there is greater potential for pressure fluctuations to occur in plumbing systems. This might not sound too serious at first glance; however it can lead to the standard water seal traps fitted under sinks, basins and showers to fail.

Examples of some of the design flaws in bathrooms that can lead to pressure fluctuations include the following (which might be found for example in an adjacent bathroom and ensuite):

• Excessive length of branch pipe from waste
• Combined branch pipes
• Alternative branch runs incorporating vertical drops below WC
• Vertical drops to bath waste
• Shallow seal traps

Water seal traps have been habitually installed by the industry for many years, however they are vulnerable if such pressure fluctuations occur. This will cause the tell-tale gurgling which indicates that siphonage is occurring in the system, and that the water seal has been broken, and foul air allowed in. As Hep_vO is waterless, it prevents foul air from entering a building when siphonage might have otherwise been a factor.

Hep_vO can be installed horizontally by using the 90 degree adapter, which avoids cutting the floor under baths and showers to accommodate the ‘U’ bend of a trap.

Hep_VO for AirBnB’s & Vacation Homes

Because HepvO is a waterless trap system, it is great to use in situations of infrequent use, including holiday homes, guest bathrooms and recreational vehicles (RV’s).

If the fixture is not used for an extended period, evaporation of water in the traditional P-Trap will lead to a loss of the water seal. In hot climates, with a higher risk of rapid water evaporation, this can be a particular problem, leading to odors escaping into the buildings after a relatively short period of time. Deeper P-Traps could be used, but they would require more space close to the fixture, so the HepvO sanitary waste valve with its slimline design is an ideal alternative in this situation.

In cold climates the water in a p-trap is likely to freeze, block with ice and potentially crack. The HepvO is not a water filled device, so does not suffer from these limitations. It does not require winterization by draining down or the addition of anti-freeze. It will continue to provide a barrier to sewer odor ingress, even under extreme low temperature conditions when the fixture is not being used and it will not suffer crack damage.