Oil Filter looking device in Waste line?

[Bruce Ramsey]

Inspected a 1959 single story ranch this morning. In the waste plumbing were some sort of device about the size of a quart coffe can that looked kinda like an oil filter for an engine.

They were oozing gunk and were completely rusted. They are past their serviceable life span but what service did they provide?

Any idea what they might have been?

[Bruce Breedlove]

Probably a grease trap.

[Rick Cantrell]

That's a drum trap.
They are no longer used. But it does not have to be removed. When it has to be replaced, it must be replaced with a P Trap.
You said 1959, I thought the drum traps were much older than that (30's). Does anyone know when they stopped using them?

[Michael Larson]

Yes it's a drum trap.

They are still available for purchase but not code in most jurisdictions.

Drum Trap (http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/52-333-pvc-traps/drum-trap-241364.aspx)

UPC (Uniform Plumbing Code) generally prohibits drum traps.
1004.0 Traps – Prohibited.
No form of trap which depends for its seal upon the action of
movable parts shall be used. No trap which has concealed
interior partitions, except those of plastic, glass-or similar corrosion-
resisting material, shall be used. "S" traps, bell traps,
and crown-vented traps shall be prohibited. No fixture shall
be double trapped. Drum and bottle traps may be installed
only when permitted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction for
special conditions. No trap shall be installed without a vent,
except as otherwise provided in this Code.

[Kevin Barre]

The drum traps I see around here are typically lead construction -- as are the drains into them. The one I saw this morning was in a home built in the late 1940's or very early 1950's. I haven't seen any after that time period.

[Jerry Peck]

Yes it's a drum trap.

They are still available for purchase but not code in most jurisdictions.

From the IRC.

P3201.5 Prohibited trap designs.The following types of traps are prohibited:
- 1. Bell traps.
- 2. Separate fixture traps with interior partitions, except those lavatory traps made of plastic, stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant material.
- 3. “S” traps.
- 4. Drum traps.
- 5. Trap designs with moving parts.

[Rick Cantrell]

OK, before I get riddled with bullets and go down in flames, I'm going to do a sidestep here.
I think that's a drum trap.
But it looks a little different than the drum traps I've seen (not that I've seen that many). The traps I've seen have the inlet and outlet on the sides and a access cover on top. This may be a variation.

[Rick Cantrell]

Jerry
I'm not familiar with a bell trap, can you explain?

[Jerry Peck]

Attached is my drawing of a bell trap.

[Bruce Ramsey]

Thanks for the quick Id.