Dry drains?

Question

I plan to move a lavatory into a small closet that is above a closet in my rental unit. So I figured I'd give the floor a lead pan and drain. The drain should always be dry. Reading an article in Consumer Reports I see they recommend a trap primer to divert a dribble of water from the supply line to the drain to keep the trap full. That seems like a waste of water. I had been thinking that some sort of check value would be available that I could use to keep the sewer gases from getting out. Is a trap primer the only option?

Don (e-mail link at home page bottom).

Speedy Jim · Accepted Answer

It doesn't have to "dribble" day and night. some ideas.

Don Wiss · Answer

What controls the dribble?Don  (e-mail link at home page bottom).

Speedy Jim · Answer

They have an electronic one.Or, make one using a solenoid valve and timer.Or it can be triggered by, say, a faucet opening.One could even use the toilet tank refill (caution here;improper connection could create a health hazard.)

Grandpa · Answer

Its not just sewer gases that you need to keep out, but sewer vermin as well. Get a gallon of RV winterizer and pour a cupful or so down the drain every few weeks/months. It won't evaporate and unless you have a siphon, it won't get pulled out of the trap either.

Don Wiss · Answer

What about something like this?   (e-mail link at home page bottom).

digitalmaster · Answer

looks like it will work..but it takes a while for a trap to dry out....if you start to smell sewer gas just pour a cup of water down the drain.A trap primer lets out a little "very very little" dribble of water every time a valve is opened and closed on the same supply line that the primer is attached to.It is not like a leaking faucet that runs all the time.

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Dry drains?

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