Basin Traps

Bottle Traps vs P-Traps: What's the Difference?

A basin trap creates a water seal in the waste pipe to block sewer gases from entering the bathroom. For basins, two types are common. A bottle trap has a cylindrical body that hangs below the waste outlet, with the waste pipe exiting horizontally from the side — it is the standard choice for wall-mounted and counter-top basins where the trap is visible, as the shaped body looks considerably neater than exposed plastic U-bend pipework. A P-trap is the U-shaped plastic version typically hidden inside a vanity unit cabinet; it offers more flexible pipe routing but is less suited to installations where the trap is on show. Both must match the basin waste outlet size: 32 mm for most UK basins, 40 mm for larger models.

Finishes and What to Check Before Ordering

Bottle traps in this range come in chrome, matt black and brushed gold — match the finish to your tap and waste for a coordinated result. Before ordering, confirm the outlet direction; the horizontal exit pipe must align with your wall waste connection. Note that if a trap's water seal dries out through infrequent use, sewer odour can enter the room — run the tap briefly after any extended period of non-use. For the matching waste, browse Basin Wastes. For coordinating overflow caps, see Basin Overflows. To buy tap and waste as a pair, visit Basin Tap & Waste Sets. Return to Basin Fittings for the full range.