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  1. #1
    Stanley Chow's Avatar
    Stanley Chow Guest

    Default What is this....???

    I found this in a home built in 1950. The "can" is a component of the sanitary sewer. 2" cast-iron inlet from the bathtub drain connected to the bottom of the can; 2" C.I. outlet at top of can ties into 2-1/2" C.I. pipe then 4" C.I. to main sewer. As you can see, it's rusted pretty badly and leaking from the top of the can.

    What is this "can" and what is its purpose?

    Repair is unlikely due to the extensive rust. So replacement is necessary. Is this component still available today? If not, can it be replaced with a standard P-trap...or what?

    Any help is appreciated.

    Stan

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  2. #2
    Stanley Chow's Avatar
    Stanley Chow Guest

    Default Re: What is this....???

    One more thing....the can is 4" diameter and 5-1/2" tall.


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    869

    Default Re: What is this....???

    Looks like a barrel trap. Yes they can be replaced.

    Steven Turetsky, UID #16000002314
    homeinspectionsnewyork.com
    eifsinspectionsnewyork.com

  4. #4
    Stanley Chow's Avatar
    Stanley Chow Guest

    Default Re: What is this....???

    Steven....is a "barrel" trap the same as a "bottle" trap? Wouldn't it be easier to replace it with a standard P-trap than to find a matching device like this? I'm not sure why a specially manufactured device was installed when a simple trap using readily available pipe sections could do the job. Same principles of physics and siphoning applies...what am I missing?

    Thanks for your help Steven.
    Stan


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Orlando, FL
    Posts
    1,592

    Default Re: What is this....???

    Look up "drum trap".

    They were very common, I bet lots of Jersey houses have them. I'm surprised you haven't seen one before, but it won't be the last one you see if you have older housing stock in your area.

    Dom.


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Fletcher, NC
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    28,032

    Default Re: What is this....???

    Quote Originally Posted by Stanley Chow View Post
    is a "barrel" trap the same as a "bottle" trap?
    No, completely different types of animals.

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

  7. #7
    Stanley Chow's Avatar
    Stanley Chow Guest

    Default Re: What is this....???

    Very helpful...Thanks alot Dom and everyone for the education.

    Stan


  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    36

    Default Re: What is this....???

    Possibly a drum trap installed up side down.


  9. #9
    Rod Smith's Avatar
    Rod Smith Guest

    Default Re: What is this....???

    I agree... it is an old Drum trap - and yes, it should be VERY easy to replace, once you get the old one off the line!


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    2,048

    Default Re: What is this....???

    Its an old drum trap. Easy enough to cut out and replace.
    Use a sawzall, don't bother trying with a wrench. It will never turn out. Unless you manage to keep vibration down you'll probably also have to replace the tub shoe. You should also assume replacing the horizontal run off the trap to the stack since the pipe is usually extremely clogged. turn it out of the stack with a wrench carefully after cutting the trap out. 2 hour repair if you get lucky. 4-5 hour repair if you break the horizontal pipe and have to dig muck out of the stack connection threads. Replacing the shoe can also be a PIA. Good luck.

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  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Utah
    Posts
    390

    Default Re: What is this....???

    I have never seen these before either and I am approaching the point where I will someday be considered an old guy.

    Thanks for the education.


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Chicago IL
    Posts
    34

    Default Re: What is this....???

    We had a drum trap in our 1920s Chicago condo for our tub. We see them fairly often here. My old boss always called them out for future replacement. The photo is of the metal cover on the bath floor, as a way to know it is there. The ceiling is finished below ours so it isn't visible there. The plumber replaced ours with a p-trap, we kept the drum trap in place (without the piping to it) because we didn't want to retile the floor.

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  13. #13
    David Stoffer's Avatar
    David Stoffer Guest

    Default Re: What is this....???

    Quote Originally Posted by Stanley Chow View Post
    One more thing....the can is 4" diameter and 5-1/2" tall.

    In my area these are called drum traps

    Pre P Trap

    Recommend replacing with a P Trap


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    548

    Default Re: What is this....???

    Drum trap in need of a new clean out cover. Still common around here.


  15. #15
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    Jul 2008
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    Snowbird (this means I'm retired and migrate between locations), FL/MI
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    Default Re: What is this....???

    If that's really the "sewer" then you're in need of more than a simple repair.

    This home still on private treatment (septic) or connected to city sewer system?

    Ron H, did you notice the description, the elevations, esp. the second picture (size change, etc.) ? (reminder poster is in NJ - that's the (Nat. Stand. Plumb. Code).


  16. #16
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Chicago
    Posts
    548

    Default Re: What is this....???

    Mr Watson, that fitting in the middle of the line is a Durham fitting. Its used as a union for drainage pipe. One side is caulked and leaded where the other side is threaded. So it give the visuale of pipe size changing. Also Most drum traps for bath tubs are 1 1/2" IPS. So I feel the inlet and outlet is 1 1/2" and the Durham fitting is making a transtion to 2" then it would tie into 4" stack down stream.

    Oh for the trap to be leaking out of the cover, the line has a blockage down stream of the trap. But the plug still needs to be replaced.


  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
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    Snowbird (this means I'm retired and migrate between locations), FL/MI
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    Default Re: What is this....???

    Quote Originally Posted by Ron Hasil View Post
    Oh for the trap to be leaking out of the cover, the line has a blockage down stream of the trap.
    Yes, and...


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