WARNING
Sewer gas not only smells bad, it can also cause illnesses and, even worse, is highly flammable.
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P-TRAP MATERIAL, AS REQUIRED BY CODE
In some installation the p-trap is not hidden from view and many home owners choose the nice chromed metal p-traps instead of the unattractive and much less expensive plastic ones. The chromed traps are readily available in all major home renovation centres. Plastic plumbing pipe material, which include p-traps, is regulated by plumbing codes. In Canada, black ABS is the standard while in the USA white plastic PVC is commonly used.
MY PERSONAL CHOICE OF MATERIAL?
Go for white/grey PVC or black ABS and stay away from the chromed metal p-traps. During my 28 years of inspecting homes I have seen many many metal traps that were rusted and needed to be replaced. The ABS p-traps in my own home have NEVER been replaced since they were installed some 40+ years ago. |
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| Bad Odors (sewer gas!) and P-Traps |
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WHAT IS A P-TRAP, WHY DO I NEED ONE?
A p-trap is a curved section of pipe in the plumbing waste system. The p, s or u shaped piece of pipe is located underneath all fixtures that have an open drain line that is connected to the drain/waste/vent system.
P-trap is the most common name used for this trap. By code, it is required below sinks, bathtubs, showers, hot tubs and washing machines. You need a trap in your air conditioner's condensate drain if it is hooked up to the main soil stack. By far the majority of homes I have inspected over a period of 28 years did not have a p-trap installed as required. Surface run AC drains to the floor drain do not need a p-trap.
The lower part of the trap is always filled with water which acts as a barrier and prevents noxious sewer gas from entering the house.
Sewer gas not only smells bad, it can also cause illnesses and, even worse, is highly flammable. Also, any valuables, such as rings, dropped in the drain may get caught in the p-trap before they are flushed down the system.
Not only do we need p-traps for reasons as explained, they are also required by code.
P-TRAPS ARE USELESS WITHOUT PROPER VENTING
A p-trap is useless and defeating its purpose if the drain pipe past the trap is not properly vented. A vent pipe allows air to enter the plumbing system to assist with draining waste and waste water to the main or soil stack. A properly installed vent pipe will prevent the water in the p-trap from being siphoned out and sewer gas from seeping into the house. Click here to find out how to prevent or fix a slow drain.
P-trap in drain for vanity sink |
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