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What is a bell trap at a plumbing drain?

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

A bell trap is essentially a water reservoir cup with a bell shape over it that dips into the cup to form a seal. Although once acceptable and common for a floor drain, it is now prohibited by the Internation Residential Code (IRC P3201.5). Bell traps are not self-scouring, the seal depth is shallow, drains slowly that clogs easily. Earlier versions of this trap, like the one shown at right, had a curved top seal that more closely resembled a bell.

    For other prohibited trap designs, see our blog post What plumbing traps are illegal by code?

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Here’s links to a collection of some of our other blog posts about PLUMBING DRAINS AND TRAPS:

 Why is it a problem when a trap under a sink is installed backwards? 

What causes a gurgling sound when a bathtub or sink drains? 

What is a "combination waste and vent" in a plumbing system? 

• Why is garbage disposal not allowed at a combination waste and vent (CW&V) under a sink?

What is a building trap?  

• What is a double trap in plumbing? 

• Can two sinks share a trap? 

Why is the European-style bottle trap not approved by the plumbing codes in the U.S.? 

What is an auto vent, air admittance valve, or check vent?

Can I make a trap under the sink from straight pipe and 90º elbows?  

If all the plumbing drains have water in them and you can still smell sewer gas, what's causing the problem?  

What is an "S-Trap" under my sink? Why is it a problem? 

What is a P-trap?

Is a sink required to have a drain stopper? 

• Can a laundry sink drain be installed without a trap under it? 

• What is a drum trap at a plumbing drain?

• Can a dishwasher drain hose be connected after the sink trap (to the trap arm)? 

• What is the minimum and maximum distance a P-trap can be below a sink? 

What is bell trap at a plumbing drain? 

     Visit our PLUMBING DRAINS AND TRAPS page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.

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