Low-flow fixtures and drainline blockages

摘要

Do low-flow plumbing fixtures contribute to drain-line blockages? They can, depending on the flush volume. But, the results of a recent study show that other issues, including toilet paper tensile strength and drainline slope, can also cause blockages in drain-lines. In the last few years, many discussions have surfaced about the role that low-flow plumbing fixtures, particularly water closets, play in drainline blockages. In a properly designed and installed plumbing system, solids stay suspended in the fluid when water flows through horizontal waste piping. However, blockages can occur when solids do not stay suspended, and the concern with low-flow fixtures is the reduced amount of water in the pipe to push through solids. Can plumbing engineers design plumbing systems that reduce this risk of drainline blockage?