Phoenix wastes and traps guide
This collection holds the Phoenix wastes and traps: dome and flat pop up wastes for basins and baths, 40mm bottle traps for wall hung basins, and V channel drains for floors. They are made to match Phoenix tapware, so the finish matters as much as the size. The sections below cover each product, fit, and what to check before ordering, so the part suits the basin, the pipe and the tap. The taps these finishes are made to match sit on the Phoenix collection.
Dome and flat pop up wastes
The Phoenix universal pop up waste comes in two tops. The dome top has a convex cap that sits above the surface when the waste is open, designed to reduce splash. The flat top has a flat cap for a slim, low profile. Both are push-to-operate: press the top of the button to open and close the waste. Because the cap sits proud when open, The Blue Space calls these pop up wastes. A pop down waste sits flush when open instead.
Both tops share the practical features. Each has a pull out plug for easy cleaning, a universal fit for standard and overflow basins and baths specifying a 32mm waste, and a connection to 40mm pipework to Australian standards. The brushed bronze versions have an adjustable installation range between 10mm and 60mm, a required hole size of 40mm, an overall length of 63mm on the dome and 37mm on the flat, and Watermark certification for all Phoenix wastes, traps and grates. The box holds the waste, an installation kit and the installation instructions.
Phoenix wastes are Watermark certified, and the dome and flat tops differ in profile rather than in fit. Choose the dome for splash reduction and the flat for a low profile.
Fit: basin, bath and pipe
The Phoenix sizing is specific, and it is worth reading closely. The waste suits basins and baths that specify a 32mm waste, and it connects to 40mm pipework. In plain terms, the opening in the basin is the 32mm size and the waste then steps up to the 40mm pipe below. The flat version suits overflow and non-overflow basins, and the dome version suits standard and overflow basins and baths.
Basins usually take 32mm and baths 40mm. Vanity basins usually take 32mm and larger fixtures take 40mm, and adaptors such as 32mm to 40mm bridge a mismatch. Most Australian basins take 32 or 40mm, measured at the part inside the basin. So measure the opening in the bowl, not the cap, and compare it to the waste. For the full sizing guide, including slotted and unslotted wastes, see basin wastes.
Overflow and the installation range
The overflow is a small hole near the top of the bowl. An unslotted waste is completely watertight when closed, while a slotted waste carries overflow water away whether the waste is open or closed. A basin with an overflow needs a slotted waste, and one without needs an unslotted waste. The Phoenix universal wastes suit both, so one product covers either type of basin.
The adjustable installation range of 10 to 60mm is the other number to check. It tells you how thick the basin or bath can be at the opening. Check the permitted installation thickness before you order. A waste that is too short may not secure properly, and one that is too long can cut into the space under the basin. A thick stone or solid-surface bowl is the case to measure before ordering.
Finishes
The Phoenix pop up wastes come in chrome, matte black, brushed nickel, brushed gold, gunmetal and brushed carbon, and the brushed bronze version is in this collection. The bottle traps come in chrome, matte black, brushed nickel, gunmetal, brushed gold and brushed bronze. Brushed carbon is its own finish and is not gunmetal, so read the name in the title.
The dome and flat wastes have an electroplated finish to ensure the colour lasts, and the bottle trap has a quality electroplated finish, while the brushed bronze versions are PVD. Electroplating is the older method used for chrome, and PVD, physical vapour deposition, bonds colour to the metal in a vacuum chamber. PVD is harder than traditional plating. Check the finish process for the product you choose, and match it to the tapware in the same finish name.
Phoenix bottle traps
A bottle trap replaces the plastic trap under a wall hung basin, and because the pipe is on show, it is finished to match the room. The Phoenix 40mm bottle trap is used under a wall hung basin to hide the plumbing pipes. It is vertically and horizontally adjustable, has a removable cap for easy cleaning, and suits 40mm pipework. One version has an adjustable length of 90 to 300mm. The finish is a quality electroplated finish.
Bottle trap, P-trap or S-trap
Each trap shape has its place. A bottle trap suits exposed pipework, such as under a wall hung basin. A P-trap suits concealed plumbing, and an S-trap is the shape for floor outlets. Most bottle traps take a 32mm or 40mm inlet, with 32mm the more common on basins, and the height adjusts by roughly 50 to 80mm. S-traps are prone to siphoning and are treated as non-compliant, and flexible corrugated traps are non-compliant too. Fast-draining water can pull a seal out of a trap, which is why vents balance the pressure.
The Phoenix trap's vertical and horizontal adjustment answers a common renovation problem, where the wall pipe and the new basin do not line up. Adjustable traps help a renovation, so check the thread and diameter or choose a universal fit. Check the 40mm figure on the Phoenix trap against the pipe, and ask the plumber about the bush if the waste above is 32mm.
V channel drains
The Phoenix V channel drain is the floor product in this collection, in two forms. The HG, or heelguard, drain has a fine linear heelguard design meant to prevent heel catching in the grate, and it suits outdoor use or a striking indoor feature. The TI, or tile insert, drain fits any floor tile so the drain blends into the floor. Both have a V design channel base 30mm deep, suited to heavy water flow, a variable outlet position and premium marine grade 316 stainless steel construction, suitable for outdoor and indoor applications.
There are two widths and four lengths across the range. The HG drain in Matte Black comes with a 65mm outlet, with a 45mm outlet also available. The TI drains in this collection are 100 x 750mm and 100 x 900mm with a 90mm outlet and a depth of 30mm. One planning note applies to every drain: the installer must allow for the height, width, depth and outlet position as early as the concrete pour stage in a new house. A channel is set into the slab, so it has to be planned before the floor is poured.
A channel suits a larger tiled area where the floor falls in one direction, and the 316 grade matters in damp and outdoor places. Grade 316 adds about 2 to 3 per cent molybdenum, which strongly improves resistance to pitting in chloride conditions such as salt air and pools, where 304 can pit. For channels from every maker, see channel wastes and grates.
How the tile insert drain works
A tile insert drain takes a cut piece of the floor tile in a recessed tray, so the metal shows only as a slim border. The gap around the cut tile is usually 5 to 10mm, the tray lifts out for access to the base and the trap, and outlets are typically 50, 80 or 90mm, with the plumber specifying the outlet from the existing pipe. Have a licensed professional install it so the waterproofing membrane is not compromised. The Phoenix TI 90mm outlet sits in that usual range, and its variable outlet position lets the installer line it up with the pipe.
The heelguard version works differently. It keeps a visible grate with fine linear bars, so it suits a floor where the drain is meant to be seen or where heels need protecting, such as an outdoor area. Choose the TI for a floor where the tile should run across the drain and the HG where a visible grate is part of the look. Whichever you choose, order the channel with its outlet size and length confirmed against the plan, because the position of both is fixed once the slab is poured.
Care and cleaning
Pull out the plug or cartridge, rinse off hair and soap, and wipe the seat before pressing it back. Use a soft cloth and a mild detergent on the metal, and avoid abrasive pads and strong chemicals. Avoid vinegar on PVD in particular, because vinegar and abrasive cleaners can damage it. Rinse and dry afterwards to prevent water marks on dark finishes.
Lift the bottle trap's cap to clear debris from the base. If a smell appears in a bathroom with no blockage, a dried-out trap is the most common cause, and topping it up with water restores the seal. If the smell returns quickly, a plumber should check for siphoning and venting.
Cleaning the Phoenix V channel
Clean all surfaces of the Phoenix V Channel Drain with mild liquid detergent or soap and water. Do not use cream cleaners or citrus based cleaning products, because they are abrasive, and unsuitable cleaning agents may damage the surface.
How to choose
Work from the fixture. For a basin or bath, confirm that it specifies a 32mm waste, check the thickness against the 10 to 60mm range, and decide on a dome or a flat cap. For a wall hung basin, add a bottle trap and check the adjustment range against the wall and floor pipe. For a floor, choose the heelguard or tile insert V channel, plan it before the pour and match the outlet to the pipe. Then match the finish to the Phoenix tap, keeping the waste, trap and grate in one finish name. The parent page for every maker's wastes, traps and grates is wastes, traps and grates.
