Results 1 to 20 of 20
  1. #1
    Daniel Leung's Avatar
    Daniel Leung Guest

    Default Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    These photos are taken from a 3-millions new house.
    1. No high loop for the dishwasher drainpipe (the white plastic flexible hose).
    2. No visible P-trap under this kitchen sink, but a cleanout is there. Is a P-trap underneath the board?

    Similar Threads:
    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images
    Crawl Space Creeper

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    112

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    P-Trap is not visible from this angle, however it may be visible by use of a camera from behind the rear partition. Or maybe there is an access door in the basement. If there is no access door below, simply note that a P-Trap is not visible. You also could remove the clean-out plug, and use a flashlight and or short snake to probe for a trap. Again, if you cannot verify a trap is there, note it and refer for plumber inspection.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    2,048

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    - Can't see a trap, then there is no trap. Let them prove otherwise.
    - Check local ordinance on the dishwasher drain into the garbage disposal, not allowed here.

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  4. #4
    Widdershins Saunders's Avatar
    Widdershins Saunders Guest

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Quote Originally Posted by Daniel Leung View Post
    These photos are taken from a 3-millions new house.
    1. No high loop for the dishwasher drainpipe (the white plastic flexible hose).
    2. No visible P-trap under this kitchen sink, but a cleanout is there. Is a P-trap underneath the board?
    Kitchen sinks traps are allowed to be below the floor in Canada.

    Canada marches to a very different drum -- Notice the yellow ABS glue? That would be considered contraband in the lower 48; And the absence of a high loop and discharge into a disposal? Perfectly allowable under the Red Seal Code.

    It's a very different world up there.


  5. #5
    Gary Winfield's Avatar
    Gary Winfield Guest

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Hey, are these two kitchen sink traps acceptable?

    ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images ***IMPORTANT*** You Need To Register To View Images

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Columbus GA
    Posts
    3,747

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    The first Pic is OK
    The 2nd is an S trap, not good

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Quote Originally Posted by Widdershins Saunders View Post
    Kitchen sinks traps are allowed to be below the floor in Canada.

    Canada marches to a very different drum -- Notice the yellow ABS glue? That would be considered contraband in the lower 48; And the absence of a high loop and discharge into a disposal? Perfectly allowable under the Red Seal Code.

    It's a very different world up there.
    Correct, ABS glue has always been yellow in Canada.
    Many but not all dishwashers have a high loop incorporated in their design, where the loop is clamped to the side of the unit.

    Daniel, if there is no access to the trap, I would call it out. Should be accessible.

    Quote Originally Posted by Gary Winfield View Post
    Hey, are these two kitchen sink traps acceptable?
    #1 seems to be OK, #2 is wrong, an "S" trap.

    I see Rick beat me to it. Gary, didn't you take 'S" trap training at some point?

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  8. #8
    Gary Winfield's Avatar
    Gary Winfield Guest

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    I threw these pics out for feedback. I did a ride along and the inspector did NOT write up the S trap. Are P traps primarily used almost ALL the time? He said as long as it drains and no leaks, he never writes it up.


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Quote Originally Posted by Gary Winfield View Post
    I threw these pics out for feedback. I did a ride along and the inspector did NOT write up the S trap. Are P traps primarily used almost ALL the time? He said as long as it drains and no leaks, he never writes it up.
    S traps don't leak as a rule, and Yes the sink will drain. The problem can be siphoning of the water out of the trap. With no air getting back into the trap arm (drain end), the suction of drain water can draw all the water down the drain. Sewer gas (methane) will then leak up the pipe into the kitchen.
    Always call out the S trap, or be prepared to hear something like "my friend says you should have seen that and now we want it fixed."

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,096

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    S traps were commonly used in older houses right? If you see one in an older house, do you call it out?


  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Snowbird (this means I'm retired and migrate between locations), FL/MI
    Posts
    4,086

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Yes John. Those really older homes also may have had and may still have a house sewer trap - an expensive correction and prone to clog/catch all sorts of collections.Without a house trap an S trap has the potential to back up with public sewer or private sewer or sanitary system gasses, both toxic and flamable/explosive.


  12. #12
    Widdershins Saunders's Avatar
    Widdershins Saunders Guest

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    The first Pic is OK
    The 2nd is an S trap, not good
    Technically, the 2nd is a running trap.

    An S trap would be a vertical to vertical installation.

    The last 90 degree change in direction makes this a running trap.

    Still illegal, but definitely not an S trap.


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Quote Originally Posted by Widdershins Saunders View Post
    Technically, the 2nd is a running trap.

    An S trap would be a vertical to vertical installation.

    The last 90 degree change in direction makes this a running trap.

    Still illegal, but definitely not an S trap.
    Technically it is not a running trap.

    It is more of an S trap, albeit a modified S trap.

    A running trap has the inlet and the outlet of the trap at the same level, the trap in the second photo does not have the inlet and the outlet at the same level.

    I used 'modified S trap' as an S trap does indeed go down (as that photo does, but the S trap continues to go down whereas the trap in that photo turns back horizontal toward (the vent?), thus modifying the S trap configuration.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  14. #14
    Gary Winfield's Avatar
    Gary Winfield Guest

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Thanks for all the input. I WILL make certain that I write up ALL S traps.

    Gary


  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Chicago, IL
    Posts
    2,797

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Quote Originally Posted by Gary Winfield View Post
    I did a ride along and the inspector did NOT write up the S trap... He said as long as it drains and no leaks, he never writes it up.
    IMO: Find another inspector to mentor you, or just research, research, research for yourself, otherwise you are likely going to have to unlearn other incorrect "information" as well.

    Last edited by Michael Thomas; 02-12-2011 at 03:40 PM.
    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Knoxville, TN
    Posts
    2,560

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Back to the OP.
    Was the plumbing visible below the floor level (crawlspace or basement)? The trap may very well be under the floor level.


  17. #17
    Widdershins Saunders's Avatar
    Widdershins Saunders Guest

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Quote Originally Posted by John Kogel View Post
    Daniel, if there is no access to the trap, I would call it out. Should be accessible
    No, it does not need to be accessible.

    Look at it this way; Are the traps for showers or bath tubs required to be accessible?

    As long as the trap is not a union or a slip joint trap, then concealment without access is perfectly permissible.


  18. #18
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    1,096

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    This quote is not me. It is from a well respected inspector of many years.

    Real s-traps don't siphon themselves dry; they never did and they never will. The men who designed them knew full well about the dangers of siphoning and they designed the s-trap so that an air break developed before the water could all siphon out. If you don't believe me, try it. You can't get a *real* s-trap to siphon dry. Siphoning is a phenomenon reserved for ersatz s-traps made from spare parts.

    The real reason we did away with s-traps is subtler. If you've got a large slug of water moving through the drain system, it pushes a wave of high-pressure air in front of it. When this wave moves by an s-trap, the pressure is enough to cause the trap seal to "burp" and admit a small amount of sewer gas past the trap and into the room. (It takes remarkably little pressure to burp past 2" of water. You can try it yourself by taking a brand new p-trap, filling it with water and blowing through the waste end. The slightest breath will do it.)

    The solution to this problem - the vented p-trap - allows the high-pressure air to dissipate out the roof instead of through the trap seal. Note that an AAV will not solve this problem. These valves only admit air; they don't vent it.

    Proper old s-traps barely merit a mention in my reports. They're certainly not worth fixing.


  19. #19
    Bill Brooks's Avatar
    Bill Brooks Guest

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    I read one post about being allowed to put the traps under the floor in Canada, I just wanted to say you not allowed to put them under the floor in Canada it is against the code. Also the first picture is ok and the second one is an s trap and not allowed in Canada either. It is impossible to use proper venting practices with an s trap.


  20. #20
    Widdershins Saunders's Avatar
    Widdershins Saunders Guest

    Default Re: Where is the P-trap for kitchen sink

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Brooks View Post
    I read one post about being allowed to put the traps under the floor in Canada, I just wanted to say you not allowed to put them under the floor in Canada it is against the code. Also the first picture is ok and the second one is an s trap and not allowed in Canada either. It is impossible to use proper venting practices with an s trap.
    Canada is a big country, and much like the US, codes can and do vary from province to province.

    I'm not sure which province you're in, but the BCBC, which is the prevailing code in the OP's province does allow a kitchen sink to be trapped below the floor.

    Kitchen traps below the floor are also acceptable under the OBC in Ontario as well.

    Realistically, since all of the provincial codes are based primarily on the National Plumbing Code of Canada, you'd be hard put to find a province that doesn't allow trapping below the floor for kitchen sinks.


Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •