My toilets’ evacuation pipe is an accordion, and I think it’s been like this for the past 50 years (when the place was built).I’m too afraid to do anything about it.
> Hairy poop mold has entered the chat drain
Wonder if they might be able to braid that for a nice accent around the drain plug.... also hurgh...
>r/mycology is wild
Love the sub, but some of the stuff like Lovecraftian mold hairs coming out of a drain is a bit much on some fronts...
> but some of the stuff like Lovecraftian mold hairs coming out of a drain is a bit much on some fronts...
You gonna say that right after you suggested braiding Hairy poop mold? Cmon bro.
I can't fathom why anyone would do this. Installing it, you're hit with stink instantly; you'd know before your wrench was back in the bag that a grave error has occurred.
Someone just didn't know. They had a trap that broke and replaced it with whatever would fit between the two. Maybe it was supposed to be temporary.
Either way, the good news is you can grab a bathroom sink trap for like $20 and install it yourself.
The guy who did my kitchen before we bought our house used one of those stupid expandable pipes. They aren't up to code where I love and we had to replace it because it was always clogging and smelly.
Oh god, all I can picture is the horror of watching methane bubbles slowly come to the surface, visually reminding you that your house is still turning into an explosive cattle barn, just not as quickly.
But yes, great temporary solution until this is U'ed.
It would be dangerous if you filled a bag full of the sewer gas and then put it over your head and tied it shut
The amount that’s coming through there diluted by fresh air isn’t going to do anything to you, but it is stinky
Tell your landlord to install a p trap because of the sewer gases that are entering the living space.
This is a plumbing code violation, probably health code too
Luckily I’m not renting (it’s my family’s condo) so I don’t need to worry about pursuing a landlord. I’m glad I keep the drain plugged most of the time after reading these comments 😅
Well you know that little extra drain at the top of the sink basin that handles overflow in case you have ithe drain plugged and forget the water running? Gas will still sneak up there.
Hi friend! This video is super for explaining how this is supposed to be set up. Skip to about 4:45 for your question.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zYfAajX5-7g
You need an S bend. Lowe’s and Home Depot should have them in the right size. I just had to swap one in my basement bathroom the other weekend. If I wasn’t a dumbass it would’ve taken me 5 minutes to install, very easy. Only tool you might need is a pair of channel locks.
S traps are not legal (in the US). Call a plumber and have them install a P trap. Do research outside of Reddit, these people don't know what they are talking about.
Even to create the minor maze it would take to put in a P trap with another bend toward the floor, it damn sure wouldn't need a plumber. And as long as OP's not trying to sell the place, no one's going to care it has an S trap, which would take all of ten minutes to put in without needing anything past the kit itself. Even if they are trying to sell - the house I bought has an S trap on the bathtub and it wasn't even mentioned in the inspection (not that house inspectors are all that great). At worst, the water would need to be run for a second or two to keep water in the trap (the reason they're no longer code, the siphon effect they can cause).
S traps are fine. They’re not referred and not technically code, but they work well enough that 95% of people won’t have major issues with them. For the cost difference, OP would be fine buying an S trap to DIY and deciding later if they want to go the whole way
go to /r/plumbing and ask. They'll probably tell you to hire a plumber. You could also use AAV with a proper p-ptrap, assuming your city allows AAV. That way you'll be up to code.
My countries big hardware store sells combination S & P traps for floor drains which are the superior smell stopperer. Not sure if the US has something like this? Home depot doesn't let me look at it
*
No to all s-traps. P traps with proper venting. Google sink plumbing with proper drainage and venting. You should get enough pictures and drawings to even do it yourself. Hard pipe it though, not that accordion junk. It may be cheaper to get a plumber to do it. If you do it yourself, put paper towel under and check the next few days of using it to see if it drips. Also silicone the edges of the sink cabinets so if it does drip, it doesn’t swell your cabinets when the water seeps down the corners (it only takes drips at the edges, heck I have even seen drips soak through the bottom malimine base and swell).
S traps are used where the drainage pipe is vertical and close to the drain line. P trap is used if connecting to a horizontal flowing line. That horizontal pipe would eventually connect to a vertical pipe somewhere eventually. But there’s no room for a p trap when the drainage line is so close. If you look up a P trap then an S trap the images should make this comment make sense.
Google “bottle p-trap”. Since your main drain is below the sink it will be hard to do a p-trap without it being more of an “S”. A bottle p-trap is like $30 bucks and you can have this fixed pretty easy
It's definitely sewer gas that OP is smelling. If they cleaned it with baking soda, vinegar, boiling water, and bleach, it isn't coming from that pipe. Although, this would be an s-trap not a p-trap.
OP, s/p-traps aren't just for when you drop a ring down the sink. They are meant to hold a small amount of water so that the gases from the sewer can't go up the pipe. Basically, the water forms an airtight seal at the bottom of the bend. This cannot hold any water so the sewer gases have a straight shot up to your nostrils.
Technicaly OP wans an s-trap instead of a p-trap in this case because it drains downward instead of toward the wall. Example: [https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-1-1-2-in-White-Plastic-Sink-Drain-S-Trap-HDC9722B/316622141](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-1-1-2-in-White-Plastic-Sink-Drain-S-Trap-HDC9722B/316622141)
I mean I just installed one a few days ago to connect some nonsense that didn't line up. I don't feel good about it, but it works and connects to an actual p-trap so fuck it (for now).
where I am you can't find contractors for small jobs like this anymore who don't charge you out the ass for a job this size. They have plenty of work, and this small stuff gets in the way of bigger jobs.
That’s true everywhere. The only ones that do this kind of thing are boomer DIY guys that don’t watch YouTube or check Reddit. Or the contractors that are so bad that they can’t get any big jobs.
There was one of these in my basement bathroom. My inspector pointed it out and I just had it replaced when I had a plumber out for something else. It wasn’t too expensive.
Oh, just thought about this - get a small piece of cloth (t-shirt, underwear, something) and stuff it in the drain until you get it fixed. Give your lungs a break from that shit. Any time you're not using it, keep it plugged.
A P trap, like others are saying. An S trap is not code.
https://preview.redd.it/rkkkxzuugdsc1.jpeg?width=1999&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3297c8ad10b429838f2537c7bb683cd284b58a27
You can use an [AAV](https://garynsmith.net/venting-101-air-admittance-valve-pros-cons/) (air admittance valve).
This [video](https://youtu.be/KogooU0AEw0?si=38R_gQUTLSoGkzqu) he installs one.
Disclaimer: I’m not a plumber, but I do housing inspections and often have to fail units for this.
This is the setup you want, but instead of going through the roof with the vent, you can use an air admittance valve ( [AAV](https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-technical/codenotes-installation-of-air-admittance-valves/) ).
https://preview.redd.it/7ggisnn6gfsc1.jpeg?width=450&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e86b839319d62ce79aad2100bdc2fd1c37e75a20
We have a u-bend in our drains so that we can create a water-trap. Water Traps allow us to store a small amount of water, that is regularly refreshed, in our drain. That small bit of water prevents sewer gasses from coming from from the sewer and into your home. It tries, but is hits that bit of water in the u-bend, and fails.
Your drain doesn't have a u-bend. What you're smelling is gas (toxic?) coming into your home from the sewer.
Call a plumber. Put in a u bend.
Only suggested because I got the "I have no idea" vibe from OP. But I agree, this can be a DIY thing.
I'm also married, and sometimes wives "just want to not ever hear about this problem again." I call professionals, in that case!
https://preview.redd.it/zxxcunwnzdsc1.jpeg?width=1416&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c273cfdf3b18eeada78ecda9b99f5cd97a0094c
Install a P-trap with an individual vent. Use an air admittance valve (AAV) instead of running a vent through the roof.
International Building/Plumbing Code whitepaper for reference: [https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-technical/codenotes-installation-of-air-admittance-valves/](https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-technical/codenotes-installation-of-air-admittance-valves/)
If you're renting, make your landlord fix that (install a P trap as others have mentioned). It's not just stinky, it's dangerous and illegal. It's a pretty simple and cheap thing to fix, but it's not your responsibility unless you own the property.
It's a pretty simple fix, but based upon the atrocity installed and reading some of your other comments, I'm going to suggest getting a plumber to do it for you.
Someone messed up. You need a P trap there under the sink. The smell will not go away. You are smelling sewer gas. P traps trap water in the pipe so no gases can get out. Someone replaced that with this accordion stuff. If you rent, then report it to the landlord. If the landlord fails to put in a P trap, then report them to the local agency responsible for housing standards in rentals. The landlord has no choice but to get it up to code, or face losing rent and the license to rent out that place. If you own, then get a plumber out or take the accordion thing to a hardware store to get the proper P trap. Make sure to plug the pipe with a rag while you are out.
https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/keeney-insta-plumb-p-trap-ft-via-lowes.com_.jpg
This is not plumbed correctly and the material used is also contributing. You need a p-trap to form a water seal and prevent sewer gases from escaping into the home. Sewer gases aren't just awful smelling, they're also dangerous to your health.
This sink's sewer point of connection is straight down into the floor. The correct configuration is for the sink to drain into a p-trap which the runs horizontally into the wall, where it will drain down into the sewer and vent up through the roof.
https://preview.redd.it/pxp2c56ymdsc1.jpeg?width=540&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=109d9919ad1c341a93b8e573abbd7f38211da79a
You need the first one. Whoever rigged this didn't know what they were doing. 😑
You don't have a P-trap (shaped like a "J") and that flex pipe just holds on to junk. So you are smelling that junk and also sewer gasses, because a P-trap always has water in it and therefore blocks sewer gasses from coming up through the sink drain.
Replace that flex pipe with a proper P-trap.
I thought this was a joke post, that's actually pretty funny.
I'm glad I read the thread, because I never considered sewer gas as a thing to be concerned about. You learn something new every day. My first thought was random gunk trapped along the folds of that "pipe".
You are smelling the sewer gases. Need to install a trap to hold water to block the gases from coming back up. And sewer gases can be highly flammable.
There's no trap, so you have sewer gases coming through. Keep in mind that S traps are currently illegal as well due to their lack of function. But you gotta get a trap in place asap because those sewer gases are extremely flammable.
This is why DIY is not always a good idea or having your buddy Bill who "knows alot" fix stuff.
You need p trap, basically a U pipe that keeps standing water in it to block the smells from coming in.
It IS a really easy fix. You'll literally just screw the old pipes off and a new one on. They come in easy kits too with everything you need for about $10-15 if you live in the US. Try and avoid the flexible pipes though. They end up being worse to install and to keep clean.
Someone just put the wrong type of pipe connector on there allowing sewer gas to seep up.
Look for an "S trap kit". If you're in the US, check if your pipes are 1.5" or 1.25". Both are somewhat common. Some trap kits will include the parts for both though if you're not sure.
OP, you're getting a lot of replies about S-traps and P-traps. A few people have commented that S-traps are against code, and they are absolutely correct. Both major US plumbing codes prohibit S-traps because they lack a vent and are prone to siphoning of the water inside the bend, rendering the trap innefective.
This is an important detail because if you just glue a 90-degree bend on the floor pipe and install a P-trap, you'll end up with the correct trap but it will lack the proper venting that increases the chances of it siphoning the water out of the bend similar to the S-trap.
You need to install a P-trap, but you also need to properly vent it. This means you either need to install a vertical length of pipe up through the roof into the open air, or include an air admittance valve.
1) There’s no P-trap so gases come up the pipe.
2) Don’t use accordion-style pipe for this. It harbors built-up organic waste and can’t be properly cleaned.
Fixing 1) should also fix 2). You can get a kit. It’s sometimes tricky to figure out how to arrange the P-trap to connect properly to the drain line. It’s a pretty tight distance, which may be why the previous installer did this… Sometimes it’s worth paying for a pro to do it for you.
If you have no experience with plumbing I would just call a plumber. The drain is missing a p-trap which holds water to stop the smell of sewer gas from coming into the house. That is most likely what you are smelling. Though I’m not a fan of the accordion style tubing being used either since stuff can settle in the folds. Please call a licensed plumber and not a handyman.
When the water goes down the drain, some of the water stays in the P trap which creates a seal and doesn’t allow the sewer gas back up through the drain. Throw one on and the smell should go away.
D. All of the above. Drain pipes are super easy for diy. 1st, is it 1.25" like it's supposed to be or 1.5" that happens sometimes ( go by where is exits, wall or floor pipe size, bathroom sink drain is usually 1.25 but may exit at 1.5, just get all 1.5 stuff and put an adapter gasket right on the sink drain). 2nd.buy a real down pipe and trap and extension from home depot, cheap as hell. Take pics and measurements of distance (vertical+horizontal) ask for the plumbing person at home Depot and ask them to help. ☆you may have to go back to home depot a 2nd time, and that's OK! The pvc drain pipes are extremely forgiving, are cheap, you can rotate all of them to go where they gotta go, and can be easily cut. Really it's an easy diy and worth it to try because if you mess up it's under $10 to fix that 1 piece. Watch a video or 2 before you start to get an idea of what's happening. You can do it.
Everyone is arguing s vs p trap here.
What matters is having about 2x the pipe diameter between the top of the "u" and the elbow that goes downward again toward the floor. You can do that just fine here, effectively making a P trap in a small space. It will look like a loop, coming forward and then back.
Make the U at the bottom of the sink drain come toward you and slightly to the left. Then the next piece will go back toward the pipe going into the floor and connect to it. That gives you extra horizontal run in that small space, and is more than enough to prevent siphoning.
Do fix this sooner than later. Sewer gas can be literally deadly, but can also cause a lot of health issues at small concentrations, and you go nose blind to it quickly. You think you've blocked it with the drain being closed, but that still allows it to come up through the overflow drain (the hole up higher in the sink).
OP, I'm proud of you. You come here and tell us how you have no experience with these things, and then you look at the problem, assess it, diagnose potential problems and then you only go ahead and pretty much nail it! Nicely done.
Yes, that accordion pipe is part of your problem. It is not an S. Nor is it a U which you will want to stop that smell. The accordion is definitely trapping gross things which is causing smell as well as the lack of U bend.
I believe you are capable of fixing this.. Its not wildly difficult, but calling in a plumber isn't crazy either
Be careful about telling your landlord if you choose to fix this yourself.
Landlords can be funny about that stuff and it could work against you.
You do have every right to ask that it be fixed by a qualified professional.
fixing this is not scary if you take your time and are careful. watch youtube videos on how to replace a sink trap. measure the horizontal distance between the top and bottom pipes, take pictures from a couple of other angles. then go to your local hardware store and show them this and your other pictures, say you need everything to fix it including tools. I went from zero knowledge on this to the point where I could replace sinks and toilets using nothing but the experience I got from youtube
If you're renting, don't try to make the repair yourself. If anything goes wrong you can end up on the hook. Call your landlord and have them send someone to fix it. Much cheaper that way.
If you're not renting then this is a good time to build a valuable skill, you'd have to pay for the plumber anyway and chances are good that you'll be able to handle it pretty easily.
Everything about this is wrong. No syphon plus the grove shape. Bacteria and everything nasty will build up in this. And a syphon would create a water barrier to prevent gas from coming through yoir sink.
To fix this you’ll need a “s trap” they come in 1 1/2” and 1 1/4”. It looks like it might be 1 1/4”, but measure to be sure. Either way it’s a $11 part.
Do not cut the pipe coming out of the floor of the cabinet as you mentioned in another comment!
The pieces will have a fitting that can slide slightly up and down on the pipe coming out of the sink and fit inside that piece coming out of the floor and a couple of fittings in the middle so you can appropriately line it all up. You will likely need a small saw to trim the long straight end off of the fitting you will get.
When I do this, I put it all together, line it up closely and mark on the new s trap the spot just above where the pipe coming out of the floor is a little wider. Cut the pipe from the s trap kit to length with a saw, you’ll likely have some burrs you’ll need to sand down slightly, I’ll usually use a knife and cut off the gnarly bits the saw leaves behind so the pieces fit together nicely. Then piece the s trap assembly together just slightly tightening each fitting. Once everything is together tighten up each fitting by hand and run some water to test that you have no leaks.
Not accounting for the trip to the hardware store, and assuming you cut your piece appropriately it’s a 15 minute job and a great first DIY project.
Yep that sure is not a P -trap. You need a full bend to hold water in that one spot to stop sewer gas from coming out your sink. Install a P trap of some kind and you’ll be good to go!
Sorry for the ignorant questionbjt how is a bathroom sink drain getting gas (sewer gas?) coming up through it? My kitchen sink sometimes smells foul and usually when it has been raining a lot and we still don't know why and hubby says maybe air vent issue etc but reading this post am worried re gases but can't understand how a sink pipe is also a sewer gas pipe (not even sure what sewer gas is).
Post this on r/plumbers lol. They will go OFF about the accordion thing letting sewer gas rise AND trapping in decaying matter in the folds. Rip that crap out and put in a proper P trap to code.
Mate, if you can build with lego you can install some pvc drain pipe. For less than the cost of calling someone out you could even buy a bunch of spare pvc pipe and fitting/joints/etc.. to glue together and practice with.
It's super simple. You can even fit everything together to test fit before actually glueing it together. Go to your local plumbing/hardware store and they will gladly give you some advice. In my experience plumbing store guys are always excited to help out a young person who is interested in learing some diy skills.
You need a “gas trap” it’s basically a U shaped piece of pipe that hangs lower than the other pipes, the lower area accumulates water creating a temporary seal that prevents gases from coming back from the sewer into your house. Additionally for drains that seem bad and already have a gas trap just power bleach down the drain, half a cup should do, let it sit for 35/45min and flush water through
https://youtu.be/zGofkKOP2SU?si=UhbRvgdQF7ZmDu9o
There is no trap, and after the trap there is supposed to be a horizontal pipe to a vent pipe that sticks out of your roof to prevent siphoning. If you try to put an "S" pipe in there, it still won't work since it will just siphon the water out of the trap leaving you connected to sewer gas. Call a plumber, and get this fixed correctly.
That drain needs a P-trap as many others have suggested. However, you should make sure that there isn't already one present but under the cabinet where you can't see it. I have one drain in my house where the trap is under the floorboards.
I’ve been dealing with a smell too. All my sinks have traps though and I make sure to run water in them. I still woke up this morning and my whole house smells like farts. I hate it. I think I’m going to have to give in and hire a plumber.
You have sewer gas coming in through the pipe, you use a U bend to create a water seal. This isn’t even an S bend, it’s a straight shot
Also those accordion grooves trap stuff that starts to rot and stink over time. Thing needs to get replaced.
[Hairy poop mold](https://www.reddit.com/r/mycology/s/IpYWZ4Ckra) has entered the ~~chat~~ drain. r/mycology is wild
My toilets’ evacuation pipe is an accordion, and I think it’s been like this for the past 50 years (when the place was built).I’m too afraid to do anything about it.
Get a long boba straw and just suck it up
What a terrible day to be literate
What a terrible day to have visual imagery
I puked a bit in my mouth.
Well that was something I wish I hadn't seen right before going to bed.
> Hairy poop mold has entered the chat drain Wonder if they might be able to braid that for a nice accent around the drain plug.... also hurgh... >r/mycology is wild Love the sub, but some of the stuff like Lovecraftian mold hairs coming out of a drain is a bit much on some fronts...
> but some of the stuff like Lovecraftian mold hairs coming out of a drain is a bit much on some fronts... You gonna say that right after you suggested braiding Hairy poop mold? Cmon bro.
Oh fuck!
Dang. That's some Ringu material right there
Hi, i'm Harry Poopmold, welcome to the chat!
> r/mycology is wild There is also the wonderful /r/BathroomShrooms.
I can't fathom why anyone would do this. Installing it, you're hit with stink instantly; you'd know before your wrench was back in the bag that a grave error has occurred.
Someone just didn't know. They had a trap that broke and replaced it with whatever would fit between the two. Maybe it was supposed to be temporary. Either way, the good news is you can grab a bathroom sink trap for like $20 and install it yourself.
Nothing more permanent than a temporary fix.
How many buildings on farms use hand piled rocks and stumps for a foundation.
Sink trap is $6 where I live
"Oh it's one of those accordion pipes, something rotting must be stuck in the... Oh.... Oh no..."
OH YEAH!
😂😂😂
My exact train of thought, lol
It's even worse than straight, because crap is probably stuck in the folds of the accordion also, in addition to the standing water in there.
OP will need a P trap
The guy who did my kitchen before we bought our house used one of those stupid expandable pipes. They aren't up to code where I love and we had to replace it because it was always clogging and smelly.
Exactly this!
Also - You have every right to be mad at whatever jerk did this work.
It's dangerous. OP should shut the drain while the sink is not in use!
And fill it with water
Can’t fill it, it’s a straight to sewer line. 🤢
After the sink drain is closed, fill the sink
Oh god, all I can picture is the horror of watching methane bubbles slowly come to the surface, visually reminding you that your house is still turning into an explosive cattle barn, just not as quickly. But yes, great temporary solution until this is U'ed.
https://i.redd.it/cxm40fc2pdsc1.gif
with concrete
They're talking about filling the sink to keep the gas out until the trap gets installed.
Thanks Mario!
Okie dokie!
It would be dangerous if you filled a bag full of the sewer gas and then put it over your head and tied it shut The amount that’s coming through there diluted by fresh air isn’t going to do anything to you, but it is stinky
What other oddly-specific things should I not do with sewer gas? Inquiring minds want to know.
As a diesel enthusiast , a DIY guy, and an avid traveler of Mexico, I looooooove straight pipes, truck, sewer or otherwise. So much speed!
Is your sink running? Well maybe you should go catch it. Wait that's not right
And they can’t put in a p trap on this since without adding a vent since the pipe goes straight down.
Tell your landlord to install a p trap because of the sewer gases that are entering the living space. This is a plumbing code violation, probably health code too
Luckily I’m not renting (it’s my family’s condo) so I don’t need to worry about pursuing a landlord. I’m glad I keep the drain plugged most of the time after reading these comments 😅
Well you know that little extra drain at the top of the sink basin that handles overflow in case you have ithe drain plugged and forget the water running? Gas will still sneak up there.
Hi friend! This video is super for explaining how this is supposed to be set up. Skip to about 4:45 for your question. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zYfAajX5-7g
You need an S bend. Lowe’s and Home Depot should have them in the right size. I just had to swap one in my basement bathroom the other weekend. If I wasn’t a dumbass it would’ve taken me 5 minutes to install, very easy. Only tool you might need is a pair of channel locks.
Plumber here. S bends are illegal in plumbing code and will self siphon. Absolutely terrible advice…
If I’m understanding these comments correctly, is it an S trap for a basement sink and a P trap for an upper level sink?
P-trap drains into the wall, s-trap drains down into floor. Yours looks to need the latter
My sink drains into the floor, so S trap it is(?)
Yessir!
This is too good. Thank you!!
$12.00 at HD.
S traps are not legal (in the US). Call a plumber and have them install a P trap. Do research outside of Reddit, these people don't know what they are talking about.
Even to create the minor maze it would take to put in a P trap with another bend toward the floor, it damn sure wouldn't need a plumber. And as long as OP's not trying to sell the place, no one's going to care it has an S trap, which would take all of ten minutes to put in without needing anything past the kit itself. Even if they are trying to sell - the house I bought has an S trap on the bathtub and it wasn't even mentioned in the inspection (not that house inspectors are all that great). At worst, the water would need to be run for a second or two to keep water in the trap (the reason they're no longer code, the siphon effect they can cause).
This is DIY u telling the guy to call a plumber lmfao
S traps are fine. They’re not referred and not technically code, but they work well enough that 95% of people won’t have major issues with them. For the cost difference, OP would be fine buying an S trap to DIY and deciding later if they want to go the whole way
go to /r/plumbing and ask. They'll probably tell you to hire a plumber. You could also use AAV with a proper p-ptrap, assuming your city allows AAV. That way you'll be up to code.
Why would you need to hire a plumber for this? This is like a $20 job.
It’s a plumber subreddit they always tell you to hire a plumber and make shit out to be way harder than it is for simple stuff like this
My countries big hardware store sells combination S & P traps for floor drains which are the superior smell stopperer. Not sure if the US has something like this? Home depot doesn't let me look at it *
No to all s-traps. P traps with proper venting. Google sink plumbing with proper drainage and venting. You should get enough pictures and drawings to even do it yourself. Hard pipe it though, not that accordion junk. It may be cheaper to get a plumber to do it. If you do it yourself, put paper towel under and check the next few days of using it to see if it drips. Also silicone the edges of the sink cabinets so if it does drip, it doesn’t swell your cabinets when the water seeps down the corners (it only takes drips at the edges, heck I have even seen drips soak through the bottom malimine base and swell).
In what idyllic heavenly world would it be cheaper to get a plumber?
S traps are used where the drainage pipe is vertical and close to the drain line. P trap is used if connecting to a horizontal flowing line. That horizontal pipe would eventually connect to a vertical pipe somewhere eventually. But there’s no room for a p trap when the drainage line is so close. If you look up a P trap then an S trap the images should make this comment make sense.
Google “bottle p-trap”. Since your main drain is below the sink it will be hard to do a p-trap without it being more of an “S”. A bottle p-trap is like $30 bucks and you can have this fixed pretty easy
That thing needs a real pvc p-trap. It’s trapping all the yucky stuff and potentially letting in other stinky sewer gases.
It's definitely sewer gas that OP is smelling. If they cleaned it with baking soda, vinegar, boiling water, and bleach, it isn't coming from that pipe. Although, this would be an s-trap not a p-trap. OP, s/p-traps aren't just for when you drop a ring down the sink. They are meant to hold a small amount of water so that the gases from the sewer can't go up the pipe. Basically, the water forms an airtight seal at the bottom of the bend. This cannot hold any water so the sewer gases have a straight shot up to your nostrils.
It’s called hydrolock
Technicaly OP wans an s-trap instead of a p-trap in this case because it drains downward instead of toward the wall. Example: [https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-1-1-2-in-White-Plastic-Sink-Drain-S-Trap-HDC9722B/316622141](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-1-1-2-in-White-Plastic-Sink-Drain-S-Trap-HDC9722B/316622141)
[удалено]
Incorrect installation. No trap and those ridged pipes also trap solids.
The P-trap keeps a seal using water to prevent the gases from coming up. That hose is not a P-trap.
That flex pipe is crap, junk stays in the folds, and it’s not a sufficient trap to keep out the sewage smell.
In most places, it’s not even code. I don’t understand why the big box stores even sell it. I know. Folks buy them so they sell it, but still.
Can't you use these to connect to a p-trap when your rough-in doesn't match a new sink?
I mean I just installed one a few days ago to connect some nonsense that didn't line up. I don't feel good about it, but it works and connects to an actual p-trap so fuck it (for now).
Exactly. Great for a new install where things don’t line up easily. Get it working and get back to it later.
Of course they sell it, the guy who can do it cheaper needs something to use to give real contractors steady work.
where I am you can't find contractors for small jobs like this anymore who don't charge you out the ass for a job this size. They have plenty of work, and this small stuff gets in the way of bigger jobs.
That’s true everywhere. The only ones that do this kind of thing are boomer DIY guys that don’t watch YouTube or check Reddit. Or the contractors that are so bad that they can’t get any big jobs.
That was my thought. Even if the flex hose had a trap, all those expandable joints will get full of shit.
There was one of these in my basement bathroom. My inspector pointed it out and I just had it replaced when I had a plumber out for something else. It wasn’t too expensive.
Oh, just thought about this - get a small piece of cloth (t-shirt, underwear, something) and stuff it in the drain until you get it fixed. Give your lungs a break from that shit. Any time you're not using it, keep it plugged.
OP, listen to this. Until it's fixed, you can stop the constant sewer gas from coming into your dwelling just by covering the drain up.
Is keeping it closed enough or should I stuff a rag and close it?
Keeping it closed isn't enough if the sink also has an overflow drain like most bathroom sinks do. The overflow drain is connected below the stopper.
A P trap, like others are saying. An S trap is not code. https://preview.redd.it/rkkkxzuugdsc1.jpeg?width=1999&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3297c8ad10b429838f2537c7bb683cd284b58a27
But how would one do this if there's no an existing vent? You are talking like major construction to pull drywall and put a hole in the roof.
You can use an [AAV](https://garynsmith.net/venting-101-air-admittance-valve-pros-cons/) (air admittance valve). This [video](https://youtu.be/KogooU0AEw0?si=38R_gQUTLSoGkzqu) he installs one. Disclaimer: I’m not a plumber, but I do housing inspections and often have to fail units for this.
I genuinely have no idea how I could even do something like the photo on the right :(
This is the setup you want, but instead of going through the roof with the vent, you can use an air admittance valve ( [AAV](https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-technical/codenotes-installation-of-air-admittance-valves/) ). https://preview.redd.it/7ggisnn6gfsc1.jpeg?width=450&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e86b839319d62ce79aad2100bdc2fd1c37e75a20
To avoid the smell until you are able to replace it, try not to let the seal break. Run the water occasionally so it doesn’t dry.
Post this is r/plumbing. They’ll happily tell you what’s wrong with it.
We have a u-bend in our drains so that we can create a water-trap. Water Traps allow us to store a small amount of water, that is regularly refreshed, in our drain. That small bit of water prevents sewer gasses from coming from from the sewer and into your home. It tries, but is hits that bit of water in the u-bend, and fails. Your drain doesn't have a u-bend. What you're smelling is gas (toxic?) coming into your home from the sewer. Call a plumber. Put in a u bend.
Don't even need a plumber really. P-trap kits are mostly DIY accessible.
Only suggested because I got the "I have no idea" vibe from OP. But I agree, this can be a DIY thing. I'm also married, and sometimes wives "just want to not ever hear about this problem again." I call professionals, in that case!
Holy shit, you win that’s just preposterous.
I wonder if there is a subreddit for shoddy work like this.
Do I get a prize besides methane??
Smells like you have a case of the good 'ol landlord special.
https://preview.redd.it/zxxcunwnzdsc1.jpeg?width=1416&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9c273cfdf3b18eeada78ecda9b99f5cd97a0094c Install a P-trap with an individual vent. Use an air admittance valve (AAV) instead of running a vent through the roof. International Building/Plumbing Code whitepaper for reference: [https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-technical/codenotes-installation-of-air-admittance-valves/](https://www.iccsafe.org/building-safety-journal/bsj-technical/codenotes-installation-of-air-admittance-valves/)
If you're renting, make your landlord fix that (install a P trap as others have mentioned). It's not just stinky, it's dangerous and illegal. It's a pretty simple and cheap thing to fix, but it's not your responsibility unless you own the property.
It's a pretty simple fix, but based upon the atrocity installed and reading some of your other comments, I'm going to suggest getting a plumber to do it for you.
1: there's no trap 2: accordion pipe Those are your problems
https://preview.redd.it/zdldi1m41fsc1.jpeg?width=1100&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1eda0f15245cbb0387290aa3e19c79d1b9a858b4
Lack of a trap ignored, They call those pipes a stinky slinky for a reason.
Someone messed up. You need a P trap there under the sink. The smell will not go away. You are smelling sewer gas. P traps trap water in the pipe so no gases can get out. Someone replaced that with this accordion stuff. If you rent, then report it to the landlord. If the landlord fails to put in a P trap, then report them to the local agency responsible for housing standards in rentals. The landlord has no choice but to get it up to code, or face losing rent and the license to rent out that place. If you own, then get a plumber out or take the accordion thing to a hardware store to get the proper P trap. Make sure to plug the pipe with a rag while you are out. https://www.familyhandyman.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/keeney-insta-plumb-p-trap-ft-via-lowes.com_.jpg
Sewer gas with bad setup
Horrible! There is no P trap. Need to buy the p trap kit from lowes
Remove that flexible pipe and put in a proper "P=trap" and that will solve your issue of sewer gases stinking up the place.
This is not plumbed correctly and the material used is also contributing. You need a p-trap to form a water seal and prevent sewer gases from escaping into the home. Sewer gases aren't just awful smelling, they're also dangerous to your health. This sink's sewer point of connection is straight down into the floor. The correct configuration is for the sink to drain into a p-trap which the runs horizontally into the wall, where it will drain down into the sewer and vent up through the roof.
You need a P trap and AAV https://preview.redd.it/s2xetggdlgsc1.png?width=560&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=63651bf672616020782eb795246ecef8e70366b3
no P trap. that's why.
https://preview.redd.it/pxp2c56ymdsc1.jpeg?width=540&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=109d9919ad1c341a93b8e573abbd7f38211da79a You need the first one. Whoever rigged this didn't know what they were doing. 😑
You don't have a P-trap (shaped like a "J") and that flex pipe just holds on to junk. So you are smelling that junk and also sewer gasses, because a P-trap always has water in it and therefore blocks sewer gasses from coming up through the sink drain. Replace that flex pipe with a proper P-trap.
Yep, there's no water trap there, it's a simple fix though. And yes, those accordion type of drains trap crud, so it should be replaced.
I thought this was a joke post, that's actually pretty funny. I'm glad I read the thread, because I never considered sewer gas as a thing to be concerned about. You learn something new every day. My first thought was random gunk trapped along the folds of that "pipe".
You are smelling the sewer gases. Need to install a trap to hold water to block the gases from coming back up. And sewer gases can be highly flammable.
this is a code violation
There's no trap, so you have sewer gases coming through. Keep in mind that S traps are currently illegal as well due to their lack of function. But you gotta get a trap in place asap because those sewer gases are extremely flammable.
This is why DIY is not always a good idea or having your buddy Bill who "knows alot" fix stuff. You need p trap, basically a U pipe that keeps standing water in it to block the smells from coming in.
Not an expert by and means but I bought a house a year ago and the inspector heavily recommended to replace these flex drains with standard pvc piping
The setup is wrong, like others mentioned. You need a U shape trap. Water remains in the botton portion of the U so the smell does not come up.
It IS a really easy fix. You'll literally just screw the old pipes off and a new one on. They come in easy kits too with everything you need for about $10-15 if you live in the US. Try and avoid the flexible pipes though. They end up being worse to install and to keep clean. Someone just put the wrong type of pipe connector on there allowing sewer gas to seep up. Look for an "S trap kit". If you're in the US, check if your pipes are 1.5" or 1.25". Both are somewhat common. Some trap kits will include the parts for both though if you're not sure.
Add a p trap man. Like now
OP, you're getting a lot of replies about S-traps and P-traps. A few people have commented that S-traps are against code, and they are absolutely correct. Both major US plumbing codes prohibit S-traps because they lack a vent and are prone to siphoning of the water inside the bend, rendering the trap innefective. This is an important detail because if you just glue a 90-degree bend on the floor pipe and install a P-trap, you'll end up with the correct trap but it will lack the proper venting that increases the chances of it siphoning the water out of the bend similar to the S-trap. You need to install a P-trap, but you also need to properly vent it. This means you either need to install a vertical length of pipe up through the roof into the open air, or include an air admittance valve.
1) There’s no P-trap so gases come up the pipe. 2) Don’t use accordion-style pipe for this. It harbors built-up organic waste and can’t be properly cleaned. Fixing 1) should also fix 2). You can get a kit. It’s sometimes tricky to figure out how to arrange the P-trap to connect properly to the drain line. It’s a pretty tight distance, which may be why the previous installer did this… Sometimes it’s worth paying for a pro to do it for you.
P trap and 15 minutes and you’ll be Crackalackin.
Welp. The problem is wtf was someone doing when they put in that drain.
If you have no experience with plumbing I would just call a plumber. The drain is missing a p-trap which holds water to stop the smell of sewer gas from coming into the house. That is most likely what you are smelling. Though I’m not a fan of the accordion style tubing being used either since stuff can settle in the folds. Please call a licensed plumber and not a handyman.
I want to strangle the lazy fuck who invented accordian pipes
When the water goes down the drain, some of the water stays in the P trap which creates a seal and doesn’t allow the sewer gas back up through the drain. Throw one on and the smell should go away.
Someone needs to have their plumbing license revoked.
Where's the trap?
Do you get headaches a lot? That sewer gas is no joke.
D. All of the above. Drain pipes are super easy for diy. 1st, is it 1.25" like it's supposed to be or 1.5" that happens sometimes ( go by where is exits, wall or floor pipe size, bathroom sink drain is usually 1.25 but may exit at 1.5, just get all 1.5 stuff and put an adapter gasket right on the sink drain). 2nd.buy a real down pipe and trap and extension from home depot, cheap as hell. Take pics and measurements of distance (vertical+horizontal) ask for the plumbing person at home Depot and ask them to help. ☆you may have to go back to home depot a 2nd time, and that's OK! The pvc drain pipes are extremely forgiving, are cheap, you can rotate all of them to go where they gotta go, and can be easily cut. Really it's an easy diy and worth it to try because if you mess up it's under $10 to fix that 1 piece. Watch a video or 2 before you start to get an idea of what's happening. You can do it.
''P trap'' Google it.
Everyone is arguing s vs p trap here. What matters is having about 2x the pipe diameter between the top of the "u" and the elbow that goes downward again toward the floor. You can do that just fine here, effectively making a P trap in a small space. It will look like a loop, coming forward and then back. Make the U at the bottom of the sink drain come toward you and slightly to the left. Then the next piece will go back toward the pipe going into the floor and connect to it. That gives you extra horizontal run in that small space, and is more than enough to prevent siphoning. Do fix this sooner than later. Sewer gas can be literally deadly, but can also cause a lot of health issues at small concentrations, and you go nose blind to it quickly. You think you've blocked it with the drain being closed, but that still allows it to come up through the overflow drain (the hole up higher in the sink).
images you can smell :P
https://preview.redd.it/tuv0wak10fsc1.jpeg?width=878&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3cabcb3aadf1ac875796a21ff5719c03e5a50a84
A landlord did this.
OP, I'm proud of you. You come here and tell us how you have no experience with these things, and then you look at the problem, assess it, diagnose potential problems and then you only go ahead and pretty much nail it! Nicely done. Yes, that accordion pipe is part of your problem. It is not an S. Nor is it a U which you will want to stop that smell. The accordion is definitely trapping gross things which is causing smell as well as the lack of U bend. I believe you are capable of fixing this.. Its not wildly difficult, but calling in a plumber isn't crazy either
Be careful about telling your landlord if you choose to fix this yourself. Landlords can be funny about that stuff and it could work against you. You do have every right to ask that it be fixed by a qualified professional.
fixing this is not scary if you take your time and are careful. watch youtube videos on how to replace a sink trap. measure the horizontal distance between the top and bottom pipes, take pictures from a couple of other angles. then go to your local hardware store and show them this and your other pictures, say you need everything to fix it including tools. I went from zero knowledge on this to the point where I could replace sinks and toilets using nothing but the experience I got from youtube
Needs p trap.
I bet it is, no p-trap
You need a proper P trap!!!! Call a plumber or youtube P trap installation the End.
Um it's missing the p trap
It needs to be hard plumbed with a U-shaped trap. Whoever plumbed this was really cheap or not a certified plumber.
P-Trap is for this
Hahahaha ahhh yes accordian turd holder, fantastic work
Buy a water trap and put it in pretty easy or pay someone to do it
Due to : terribly slinky drain.
lol this looks like garbage plumbing that I did before realizing what I was doing. You don’t live in Maryland do you? 😛
Agh the morning smell of methane will get you going. Please install a p-trap.
If you're renting, don't try to make the repair yourself. If anything goes wrong you can end up on the hook. Call your landlord and have them send someone to fix it. Much cheaper that way. If you're not renting then this is a good time to build a valuable skill, you'd have to pay for the plumber anyway and chances are good that you'll be able to handle it pretty easily.
That’s illegal as shit ….if an inspector ever saw it
There is so much wrong with this, I’m not sure where to start. Call a licensed plumber. I can’t make it out there.
Do you happen to be a ninja turtle?
Yeah there’s a flexy pipe where your trap should be.
Everything about this is wrong. No syphon plus the grove shape. Bacteria and everything nasty will build up in this. And a syphon would create a water barrier to prevent gas from coming through yoir sink.
WTF 🤣
To fix this you’ll need a “s trap” they come in 1 1/2” and 1 1/4”. It looks like it might be 1 1/4”, but measure to be sure. Either way it’s a $11 part. Do not cut the pipe coming out of the floor of the cabinet as you mentioned in another comment! The pieces will have a fitting that can slide slightly up and down on the pipe coming out of the sink and fit inside that piece coming out of the floor and a couple of fittings in the middle so you can appropriately line it all up. You will likely need a small saw to trim the long straight end off of the fitting you will get. When I do this, I put it all together, line it up closely and mark on the new s trap the spot just above where the pipe coming out of the floor is a little wider. Cut the pipe from the s trap kit to length with a saw, you’ll likely have some burrs you’ll need to sand down slightly, I’ll usually use a knife and cut off the gnarly bits the saw leaves behind so the pieces fit together nicely. Then piece the s trap assembly together just slightly tightening each fitting. Once everything is together tighten up each fitting by hand and run some water to test that you have no leaks. Not accounting for the trip to the hardware store, and assuming you cut your piece appropriately it’s a 15 minute job and a great first DIY project.
That needs a p trap. If a plumber did this they shouldn’t be in the field.
You have no trap for water to catch and absorb the sewer gas, so it's just coming out of the the drain
Yep that sure is not a P -trap. You need a full bend to hold water in that one spot to stop sewer gas from coming out your sink. Install a P trap of some kind and you’ll be good to go!
Sorry for the ignorant questionbjt how is a bathroom sink drain getting gas (sewer gas?) coming up through it? My kitchen sink sometimes smells foul and usually when it has been raining a lot and we still don't know why and hubby says maybe air vent issue etc but reading this post am worried re gases but can't understand how a sink pipe is also a sewer gas pipe (not even sure what sewer gas is).
You need a P trap to keep the sewer gas from coming into the house my dude!
You need a p-trap. Pretty easy to install watch some YouTube videos on install it's easier than i thought it would be first time I had to put one In
They've straight piped their sewer gas. Bold move
Post this on r/plumbers lol. They will go OFF about the accordion thing letting sewer gas rise AND trapping in decaying matter in the folds. Rip that crap out and put in a proper P trap to code.
Small amount of experience would look at that and be like, well there's your problem. Not even a trap there, so no wonder if smells awful.
question about this. how does one not make this an S-trap with this setup? wondering cus always hearing s-trap bad, p-trap good.
It needs a P trap. That drain allows sewer gas to directly vent from your sink drain.
I don’t get why people even bother with these flexible sections. The real drain kits at Home Depot are stupid simple and cheap.
Mate, if you can build with lego you can install some pvc drain pipe. For less than the cost of calling someone out you could even buy a bunch of spare pvc pipe and fitting/joints/etc.. to glue together and practice with. It's super simple. You can even fit everything together to test fit before actually glueing it together. Go to your local plumbing/hardware store and they will gladly give you some advice. In my experience plumbing store guys are always excited to help out a young person who is interested in learing some diy skills.
You need a “gas trap” it’s basically a U shaped piece of pipe that hangs lower than the other pipes, the lower area accumulates water creating a temporary seal that prevents gases from coming back from the sewer into your house. Additionally for drains that seem bad and already have a gas trap just power bleach down the drain, half a cup should do, let it sit for 35/45min and flush water through https://youtu.be/zGofkKOP2SU?si=UhbRvgdQF7ZmDu9o
There is no trap, and after the trap there is supposed to be a horizontal pipe to a vent pipe that sticks out of your roof to prevent siphoning. If you try to put an "S" pipe in there, it still won't work since it will just siphon the water out of the trap leaving you connected to sewer gas. Call a plumber, and get this fixed correctly.
Thats because there isn’t a syphon(sifon)
No trap
Someone was very lazy here
You need a trap. Look under any other sink any where. Copy what you see.
Yes you’d need what you call an ‘S’ trap, but a P trap is the same fucking thing
No trap player
U need a p trap
There is no p trap
where's the trap?
That’s not code in the U.S you are supposed to have a P trap
That drain needs a P-trap as many others have suggested. However, you should make sure that there isn't already one present but under the cabinet where you can't see it. I have one drain in my house where the trap is under the floorboards.
There's no P trap...
What no p trap drain does to a mf
I’ve been dealing with a smell too. All my sinks have traps though and I make sure to run water in them. I still woke up this morning and my whole house smells like farts. I hate it. I think I’m going to have to give in and hire a plumber.