Homeowners need to replace damaged P-traps
33 posts across 2 communities in the last 30 days; 97% from r/Plumbing.
“Took me 3hrs but I got it done. Switched it all to plastic now. We'll just uo tk the p trap haha [re: UPDATE: Found the Problem… and That Cast Iron Was COOKED]”
“He cant afford to fix it if it breaks [re: Help me Frankenstein a P-trap properly]”
“I totally looked it up. The more you know! Seems like this thing would be easier than the p trap too [re: Why is this basin smelly so soon after fitting?]”
Multiple users are dealing with broken or leaking P-traps in their homes, seeking advice on how to fix them. Suggestions include replacing the trap with a plastic one and obtaining necessary hardware from a local store.
SOURCES (60)
“P trap into AAV into wall drain submitted by /u/Elephantexploror [link] [comments]”
“Is there any way to repair this, or does the entire trap need to be replaced? submitted by /u/BoxSlingingSlasher [link] [comments]”
“Ok, I’m stumped. I have a p-trap leaking. I’ve taken it apart a couple months ago in order to remove the garbage disposal and recover a dropped item. The leak is at the right union, but every which way I’ve tried so still leaks. It’s this exact Charlotte Pipe part available at Home Depot. I assumed a washer was needed, but it sounds like these plastic fittings create their own seal. I’m left scratching my head here. submitted by /u/Life-Anywhere-9987 [link] [comments]”
“Took me 3hrs but I got it done. Switched it all to plastic now. We'll just uo tk the p trap haha [re: UPDATE: Found the Problem… and That Cast Iron Was COOKED]”
“Bro don’t touch that trap before you buy a replacement trap, 50/50 that thing shatters in your hand. [re: Is this a normal amount of, I guess, draining speed for this kind setup?]”
“He cant afford to fix it if it breaks [re: Help me Frankenstein a P-trap properly]”
“Take a flash photo of the pipes. Your drawings are dope but you'll get better responses if people can visualize your setup. [re: Help me Frankenstein a P-trap properly]”
“I totally looked it up. The more you know! Seems like this thing would be easier than the p trap too [re: Why is this basin smelly so soon after fitting?]”
“You don’t typically snake a tubular p trap either you would unthread the nuts and remove to service it [re: Why is this basin smelly so soon after fitting?]”
“This is what it joins into. https://preview.redd.it/qrlukwagw3uh1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d1704aa64ab59a0a04a720201f9be1bd401736f7”
“I am not positive, Yes there was a tub there in the past. The home was built in the 60s.”
“I would convert from a glued trap to a slip joint trap. Because you have a glued trap, you cannot center the tailpiece into the trap to use a reducing washer.”
“i have to say i'm super excited. almost there last piece to close the 4" short gap to drain? what do i need to buy? diy first time and successfully did the easier one, but this one i dont know what to do teach me!!! submitted by /u/Apprehensive_Two1528 [link] [comments]”
“Not an expert, but this is what I've got https://preview.redd.it/8tczpouu2tth1.png?width=445&format=png&auto=webp&s=09d04409e049b382c6d4129520c7bf4d14437ef0”
“For one thing, it is not an S trap. It has a vent. Number two yes it’s against code but on a shower it will work 365 till the end of time on 2 inch PVC plastic. S traps are common in farm houses and you hear them gurgle when somebody uses other fixtures because there’s no vent”
“Any help appreciated never worked with PVC before. I will cut small rectangle for the copper supply though. Thank you! submitted by /u/ChipmunkGeneral [link] [comments]”
“Longer pipe coming out of trap for suds to dissipate and not spill out . 24” minimum length bc plumbing code. And make sure that 2” trap arm is a minimum of 4” long. Besides that it’ll do long as no inspection happens. Anytime doing this plumbing work lookup the codebook online. Easy to navigate the index. It’ll answer questions better than any peanut gallery internet plumbers have.”
“Looks pretty good. Maybe stick a hunk of wood under that p trap. Dont screwing down or anything just in case you need to do something in there. Just kinda shove it in there when you're done gluing it”
“Pretty sure you need a vent after the trap. Gravity will pull the puddle down with it, if not vented..”
“Nope don't know what the hell is this setup?? What is the yellow pipe, and the duct taped trap”
“Without getting into details make your tailpiece as short as PRACTICAL. AAV as high as POSSIBLE, and if the trap arm is too short it would still be considered an illegal S Trap even though it will work fine having the AAV (until it fails, so make it easy to replace it).”
“That white plastic stem looks like the old Moen posi-temp, and those collars can be a real pain if they've calcified on. Before you torque on it too hard, make sure you've pulled the retaining clip out, it's a little brass U-shaped pin that slides in right at the front of the cartridge. If it's still in there, no amount of spinning will get that collar off.”
“What disposal????? I see the tie into the what looks like the drain from the dishwasher.”
“Fernco, PVC male trap adapter and a plastic trap. Cut close to the wall, slap it together and you're good.”
“Hey guys, I hope all is well. I’m a bit thrown off here… an HVAC company replaced the unit at my parents’ place in Florida. According to the manual for this unit, it states there should be a p-trap since the pressure is negative, but you can see there isn’t one. Usually this furnace trips out on the float switch in the condensate pan which fills up after some time, and not the main float switch by the primary drain which seems odd to me. You can see my brother-in-law’s contraption with the trash”
“Every p-trap in my house looks like this and I cannot find a replacement anywhere and none of the universal ones fit. Can someone help and send me a link where I can find one? Or are these some homemade kind of thing? submitted by /u/TallDarkCancer1 [link] [comments]”
“Ii just dealt with this a week or two ago. A lot of modern tubs have those clickable drain plugs. Ours was absolutely gummed up with hair and grossness. Check that before messing with the trap. If it is a trap problem, just snake it. Easy.”
“I mean as long as your trap is level and it doesn’t interfere with the vanity and sink I don’t see anything that would ruin it”
Yes, was copied from the old trap pulled out of the now removed wall
Is that a regular 1/4 bend 90 on the outlet of the trap?
“Looks right to me. Some places have different numbers that their inspectors follow but it’s minimal changes. Trap height can vary but I think you are now a plumber!!”
“Nah he'd need at least a 22½°. 45° is playing it safe. From OP's pic the swing of the trap will not get him into the straight-piped stub-out.”
“Not sure now to remedy this, some pieces broke in the removal and needed to be replaced. What should I do? submitted by /u/DarkMatter_Myth [link] [comments]”
“I love that i had pretty much thr same train of thought as everyone else. If it doesnt leak and it goes back together... maybe wait til more things are happening to justify potentially opening the wall. Like a new faucet or disposal, then maybe play with it. But i hate that im saying this but i wouldnt mess with it”
“You'll need to remove the basket strainer. I'd suggest you replace the tailpiece with a plastic one, which won't rot. Cut to fit. Don't forget new tailpiece and slip washers.”
“Cut it off and fernco it. Even if it has to be over the cplg. Plumb in a new solid tailpiece and p-trap. And for gods sake, don't let the cat drink that nasty water.”
“If done right you don't need any tape at all to install a p trap. Throw those parts out and get new ones. Line everything up then hand tighten as hard as you can.”
“I agree that the first order of business is to inspect the mating surfaces of the trap connection. I've seen overpour of the mold that wasn't cut off leave a tiny flap of plastic that overlapped the bevel cause a leak that was very hard to see. Instead of pipe dope tho. What I use is a single wrap of dense thread tape that creates a thin but soft gasket between the two surfaces.”
“The cheat mode for installing a trap is to assemble the trap nut so it's just about tight but you can still move the trap around and then you put the trap on. You do not put half the trap on and then put the other half the trap one and then tighten the nut because then you get leaked like three times more often. By pre-assembling the trap and getting it a little bit tight you've gotten the two mating surfaces nice and flush with each other right from the start, instead of putting each ha”
Should they be 2” above the trap? Will have a plumber out to fix.
“How do I fix this without removing the old p-trap? submitted by /u/GoldUnderstanding739 [link] [comments]”
“Cut the bottom of this piece so that the narrower piece has 2 inches, and put it in the p-trap. Cut the chrome piece a little as necissary so the 3 pieces fit together. It will be a tight fit. Dont push the p trap so far down that you lose slope. https://preview.redd.it/3pgr3eel3sph1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f7f6f005d9988da23c054c81b75f47ff0c865da7”
“Buy a 40mm coupling and extend the waste pipe up to raise the trap to the desired height”