When simple is not that simple. Plumbing P-traps.

Wenatchee Home Inspections

Often homeowner does not fully understand why we should do something when it comes to the home’s plumber.

Here is an example of a simple P-trap that was installed improperly. Now in all fairness, this is a fairly simple correction but often can be a bit frustrating.

                                


With this P-trap, we now have too deep of a “Trap Weir” (The point on a trap where water will begin to flow down the trap arm). The “Trap Weir” has some specific dimension it needs to meet. It is required to have a minimum liquid seal of 2 inches but no more than 4 inches. You can see in the photo above we exceed that 4-inch maximum.

This can now lead to clogging and poor drainage. In addition, we now have several joints all underwater that will make this installation more prone to leakage.

                                      

From the 2015 Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

1005.0 Trap Seals.

1005.1 General. Each fixture trap shall have a liquid seal of not less than 2 inches (51 mm) and not more than 4 inches (102 mm), except where a deeper seal is found necessary by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. Traps shall be set true with respect to their liquid seals and, where necessary, they shall be protected from freezing.


Sometimes asking a little knowledge will help with relieving some potential issues in the long term.

"A human being: an ingenious assembly of portable plumbing."

Christopher Morley

If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacturer requirements please let me know.

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…  

Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service

Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection-  Bellingham Technical College

WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board

www.ncwhomeinspections.com                                                   509-670-9572

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