Think of it as the bouncer at a club for your drain hose. Its only job is to say, “Whoa there, partner. Slow your roll.” It’s a small plastic insert—often shaped like a little star or a disc—that literally restricts the flow of water.
Why would you want to slow down water? Great question, future plumbing expert. It prevents your machine from draining faster than your home’s pipes can handle. You know, like trying to pour a gallon of milk into a shot glass. It’s not pretty.
If you’ve ever heard a weird glug-glug-glug sound or seen your sink gurgle when the washer is draining, congratulations. You’ve met your enemy, and his name is “siphoning” or “backflow.”
