| Replace a P-Trap |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-201 |
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Q: My kitchen sink keeps clogging. What should I do? A: (Brad Staggs, Ask DIY Home Repair Expert) The problem is probably in your p-trap underneath the kitchen sink. First, there's a tailpipe that comes out under your kitchen sink, down into the main drain, through a straight pipe, and to the p-trap. The j-bend (figure A) of the p-trap catches things -- coffee grounds, your wedding ring -- that come down the drain. The water that stays in the p-trap actually keeps sewer gases from backing up into the kitchen pipes. It's an important piece of plumbing that can get clogged with all kinds of gook. When that happens, here's how to replace it: Safety Alert: Always wear safety eyewear when working around pipes, which may contain caustic chemicals. Materials: Slip-joint pliers
PVC or brass chromed j-bend with cleanout
Bucket
Teflon tape
- Place a bucket underneath the pipe to catch the gook that will come out of the pipe. Then loosen the two compression nuts that are holding the j-bend on. Sometimes you can just do that with your hands. Other times, you'll require slip-joint pliers (figure B) to start the loosening.
Note: If you have a joint that is glued together, use a cable saw, available at a plumbing store. Pull its steel cable back and forth across the PVC pipe (figure C). The friction will melt the pipe and make it come off. Then you use a cleaner, primer and cement to put your system back together. It's much easier when you have compression nuts. - Upgrade the j-bend to a chromed brass one with a clean-out, so next time it gets clogged all you'll have to do is remove the j-bend plug to clean it out, instead of replacing the entire piece (figure D). Another option: a flexible j-bend piece, to use if your pipes don't line up correctly (figure E).
- To install the chromed brass j-bend, first wrap Teflon tape around its threaded connections, wrapping it in the same direction -- clockwise -- that you'll tighten down the nuts. The tape seals the joints so that no water will escape.
- Fit the j-bend into the compression nuts and then hand-tighten them. That's the beauty of the compression nuts; you don't have to tighten them completely down, and you shouldn't use the slip-joint pliers.
More Questions for Brad: Q: Is there an advantage to using copper pipe over PVC? A: Chromed-brass pipes should be in decorative places -- like in a bathroom with a pedestal sink where you're going to see the plumbing. In enclosed places, feel free to save the money and use PVC instead. Either material will be around long after we're not. Q: How do I unjam a garbage disposal? A: It's actually quite simple: Use the garbage-disposal key that may be loose under your sink or taped to the side of the disposal. It fits into a little slot on the bottom of the garbage disposal. You work the key back and forth in the slot to free up the blades and any kind of food or particles that have gotten the blades stuck. Work those around, run some water in the disposal, and see how that works. Q: What is the best method for unclogging a sink? A: I try to avoid chemicals at all costs. First, try the plunger. Then look at the p-trap like we just did. And try a drain snake on the clean out. As a last resort, use a drain cleaner: They're bad for the environment. Book: Basic Plumbing with Illustrations
by Howard C. Massy
ISBN: 0934041997
Craftsman Book Company (1994)
6058 Del Corto
Carlsbad, CA 92009-9974
Phone: 760-438-7828 or 800-829-8123
E-Mail: Jacobs@costbook.com
Web site: www.craftsman-book.com
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