Tagged Questions
1
vote
4answers
65 views
How do I clear a drain pipe clogged with dried soap?
I think we have a clog of dried soap in our pipes, past the U-bend and down the pipes from upstairs to the drain at ground level.
How do I clear them?
4
votes
2answers
193 views
How can I replace this unusual kitchen sink drain pipe?
I'm trying to replace a broken 1-1/2 inch L-shaped brass pipe under my kitchen sink, as in this picture:
At one end, it's connected to the sink drain, which if I'm understanding the terminology ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
Is this water heater drain configuration safe?
I've just replaced my water heater and for the first time my house has a water heater drain pan. The washing machine waste line is nearby and I'd like to connect the water heater drain pan to this ...
1
vote
1answer
159 views
Do I need to add a vent when moving a toilet drain across the bathroom?
In working on finishing our basement, I've come to the bathroom. It was originally plumbed with the plan of having the fixtures share a common wall (vanity, toilet, then tub). so there is already a ...
4
votes
2answers
264 views
Do I need a vent on this emergency drain?
Code allows the use of a wet vent for the bathroom group which in my case is a sink, toilet, and shower drain. About 10-15 feet down stream of this group I have a washing machine drain with its own ...
4
votes
2answers
112 views
What could cause poor drainage in the kitchen and baths?
After having my septic system (tank) cleaned about a month ago, I've noticed a foul odor in the bathroom of the master bedroom. I've also noticed the smell outside near the master bedroom. It's not ...
4
votes
2answers
505 views
Is this shower trap better than a P-Trap?
Here in Brazil almost all shower and floor drains are made using a device that translate as "siphoned box" and work as a trap collecting water from the sink, tub and shower.
Is that any better ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Should a kitchen sink S-trap be replaced?
Everything I see mentions P-traps. I seem to have instead an S-trap. What are the downsides of this, and is it something that should be fixed?
5
votes
1answer
567 views
Should second trap under kitchen sink S-trap be there?
My kitchen sink drains through an S-trap immediately below the sink to another trap (a P? a U?) in the basement below. The drain pipe then runs along the wall till it meets the main drain pipe shortly ...
2
votes
1answer
152 views
Why did my tub drain start running slowly after going unused for a little while?
I recently moved into a new apartment and quickly found that the tub drain ran pretty slowly. I wasn't able to fix it myself, so eventually a plumber came in and fixed things up — the drain ran great ...
1
vote
2answers
3k views
When does an under the sink P-Trap assembly need venting?
In the realm of second homeowner woes, I had a P-Trap assembly under the bathroom sink. It was a strait connection to the pipe connected to the main sewer line. (least I think that was the case) ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I replace this cast iron toilet flange?
I have a big old gawd awful cast iron (at least I think it's cast iron, the house was built in 1940) toilet flange that is in sorry shape.
See?
There will never be a better time to replace it - as ...
1
vote
2answers
694 views
What diameter pipe do I need to adjust this basin waste pipe?
I fitted a new tap and waste outlet to a small basin, because the new outlet is shorter than the old, the plastic pipework no longer reaches (see photo) I can force the parts to mate but I don't like ...
10
votes
4answers
3k views
Do I need a vent for extending a drain to a new bathroom addition?
I am building a new full bathroom on what used to be my back porch. I am planning to extend the existing drain at a cleanout and to run it outside the house underneath the floor.
I need to know if I ...
8
votes
3answers
919 views
Why is sewage backing up from this outdoor pipe?
I just recently moved into my first house this morning and when I went outside I noticed this:
What happened? What should I do? I have no idea what that pipe even is. I don't believe there is a ...
2
votes
1answer
178 views
I have two unconnected drain lines in the kitchen. If I start using one, can I just put a stopper on the other?
There is a 3/8" drain line by my refrigerator. I hooked up a reverse osmosis filter to the refrigerator which drains through the 3/8" line. Lo and behold, as soon as it started draining, I discovered ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Do waste water pipes for kitchens and bathrooms require a minimum slope to avoid clogging?
When I had a dishwasher installed, the plumber refused to install the waste water pipe horizontally, saying that this would get it to clog all the time. He left a roughly 1:10 slope on it. I thought ...
2
votes
1answer
17k views
What could cause bubbling toilet when the shower or sink is running?
One of the two toilets in my rental house is bubbling when the shower or sink in that master bath area are on. In the past, about 6 months ago, I have had plumbers and rotoruter out and they could ...
4
votes
1answer
474 views
How can I install a J-Trap for a bathroom sink with limited space?
Well, it was my first difficult handman project and I got this far...
Below is a photo of my installation right now. Every single diagram I've seen has the J-Trap facing down. Is there any way ...
1
vote
1answer
406 views
How do I find out if Air Admittance Valves (AAVs) are allowed in my municipality? [closed]
I saw Richard Trethewey of Ask This Old House install an AAV as part of a kitchen island sink system. I thought I might be able to use one for the water line for my washing machine. I'd like to ...
4
votes
3answers
217 views
How do I connect to a dishwasher bushing?
I just bought a new dishwasher for a newly renovated house that I just bought.
I am trying to install it myself.
My sink drain pipe has one of these sticking out the side above the U pipe thingy like ...
4
votes
1answer
285 views
How far can I move my bath tub trap from the vent?
I am remodeling the master bath and I need to relocate the bath tub. I will be extending the trap about 3-4' from where it is now. I'm wondering if I need to relocate the vent pipe as well. How far ...
6
votes
2answers
662 views
What could cause my sink to drain slowly?
Sometimes our bathroom sink will drain so slowly (with the water running) that the water will fill it faster than it can drain.
However, after shutting the water off and letting it completely ...
5
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I lengthen my vent stack and are there any negative effects in doing so?
I have observed that when we receive a lot of snow here in Ontario, at least one of the drain vents on my roof is covered by snow. While after one winter in the house I have not yet observed any ...
5
votes
1answer
4k views
How can I properly vent a basement toilet & shower using an AAV?
When we bought our house the plumbing drains for a basement bathroom were roughed in but they did not install any vent lines for them.
We have the first floor plumbing draining into the main stack ...
4
votes
1answer
593 views
Is there a shower drain pipe in this picture?
I'm certain the 3" pipe on the left is the toilet drain (it is about 12" form the wall and has a rounded cap on it). I'm guessing the shorter 2" capped pipe on the right, up against the wall, is the ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
Why does my kitchen sink smell when the washing machine is running, and what can I do about it?
I live in a flat, on the second floor. When we run the washing machine (which is connected to the kitchen sink's plumbing) it gurgles a lot and often produces a nasty smell. Why is this, and how can I ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I prevent or remedy “bio slime” accumulation in a sink drain?
The drain in the sink which we use for mouthwash consistently gets clogged by a very repugnant slime. I've tried all the common drain unclogging products (Drano, Liquid Plumber) as well as some ...
5
votes
2answers
7k views
Maximum run on drain?
I'm planning a reconfiguration of my basement and want to move both the powder room and w/d to new locations.
The powder room would be close enough to the stack not to worry me, but I'm looking at ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
Connecting a P-trap to a female drain connector in the wall
I am replacing a bathroom vanity and while I'm doing that, I'm also replacing the p-trap for the sink (mostly because I want one with a drain, but also because I have to raise the height a couple ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
New Vanity: Sink Won't Drain Completely
My wife and I just replaced the vanity in our bathroom. To fit the new sink, we had to cut some new PVC. Here's a picture.
All the plumbing works, without leaks, except that it will not drain ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Can a plumbing vent go “up” and then back “down” to the connection with the vent stack?
I am changing the location of all the fixtures in my bathroom. This move will put the toilet and sink on the opposite wall from the stack. I was originally planning on running a vent up the wall ...
6
votes
1answer
537 views
How do I replace a section of a 4" cast iron pipe with PVC?
I am working on our upstairs bathroom and plan on moving some of the fixtures around to a different side of the room. This means I need to make changes to where the drain comes into the stack (I want ...
3
votes
3answers
7k views
Why are there bubbles in my bathroom toilet and sink?
I have had a lot of really odd things happen in my bathroom this weekend and I want to make sure it is nothing too serious.
Ok so when I was taking a shower I heard the toilet bubble up. A few ...
3
votes
3answers
997 views
6
votes
6answers
5k views
What can I do about my drains constantly getting blocked?
The one thing I have tried to do about this is use those foaming and non-foaming drain unblockers regularly. That has just been money down the drain, pardon the pun.
I suspect that unblockers only ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
Do I need a separate vent stack for my kitchen sink?
The drain line from my kitchen sink drops down through the basement, into the basement floor (Concrete), and I assume under the floor to the main sewer line. The sink tends to drain slowly. Should I ...
5
votes
3answers
4k views
Can I use a PVC cleanout plug in a Cast Iron Cleanout?
There's a cleanout plug on this pipe that I simply can't get loose. I've tried liquid wrench, PB blaster, heating up the area with a torch, everything I can think of. All that's really left is to go ...
3
votes
1answer
430 views
Can I use a 1 1/2 vent for a toilet (3" drain) in CA (not a went vent, no other fixtures on it)?
Most of the info I have on code implies this would be OK, but one item I have says that a 1 1/2 vent can only serve 8 "non-WC" fixture units.
8
votes
2answers
3k views
How do I install a sink in a room that doesn't have a drain vent?
I want to install a sink in my attached garage where there is no existing plumbing. I will be running new water supply and drain pipes to mains behind a nearby wall. I'm concerned I will need a ...
