Would you call this an S trap?

[sparksnmore]

Originally Posted by jgromkoski

Would you call this an S trap?

Since it doesn't go through the floor,,, no.

[Joe Farsetta]

In much older homes, I call them out as being allowed at the time of construction, but no longer likely permitted and state the reasons.

In newer homes, I call them out as a defect.

Funny how they are still, basically, installing s-trap (or should I say impurely vented) fixtures in mobile homes. Boca Vents are installed at virtually every fixture.

IN old homes, plumbers shange the configuration of the s-traps slightly, and install AAVs to help eliminate some of the problems.

Stay away from quoting codes, kiddies...

Observe and report the concern, and reason for it, without getting into what is "allowed". Stick with the mechanics of why s-traps are problematic and move on from there.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by sparksnmore

Since it doesn't go through the floor,,, no.

Guess that's why you are an Electrician and not a Plumber.

[sparksnmore]

Originally Posted by belliott

Guess that's why you are an Electrician and not a Plumber.

Funny Bob But you must have me confused with someone else Sir, I was a Master Plumber and also a Master Mechanic and Warm Air Heating Supervisor for over 40 years. (retired 9 years ago)

Odly enough, up until the time I retired, my city didn't require an electrician's ticket, all you had to do was say "I am one" and you were. The jobs still required the same permits and inspections though and electricians must pass the block test now.

I said that I wouldn't call it an "S" trap because it doesn't go through the floor, a technicality. Lower the tail piece down 6" or so and what is it then?

[John Gromkoski]

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

In much older homes, I call them out as being allowed at the time of construction, but no longer likely permitted and state the reasons.

In newer homes, I call them out as a defect.

Funny how they are still, basically, installing s-trap (or should I say impurely vented) fixtures in mobile homes. Boca Vents are installed at virtually every fixture.

IN old homes, plumbers shange the configuration of the s-traps slightly, and install AAVs to help eliminate some of the problems.

Stay away from quoting codes, kiddies...

Observe and report the concern, and reason for it, without getting into what is "allowed". Stick with the mechanics of why s-traps are problematic and move on from there.

Joe, I am with you 100% with not calling out codes. Code or not, if there is an issue with it, it's an issue and state why you feel it is an issue. Plus, you wouldn't want to get embarrassed by licensed plumber, that the seller calls in, who should be able to quote the code front and back - and better than most of us can. We are NOT code officials or code enforcers.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by jgromkoski

Joe, I am with you 100% with not calling out codes. Code or not, if there is an issue with it, it's an issue and state why you feel it is an issue. Plus, you wouldn't want to get embarrassed by licensed plumber, that the seller calls in, who should be able to quote the code front and back - and better than most of us can. We are NOT code officials or code enforcers.

So why is there a code for S traps?
Just one of those silly things we nit pick on huh?

Guess since old homes do not matter those goofy GFCI outlets are not needed either.

[John Gromkoski]

Originally Posted by belliott

So why is there a code for S traps?
Just one of those silly things we nit pick on huh?

Guess since old homes do not matter those goofy GFCI outlets are not needed either.

Bob, I think what Joe and I are saying is that we don't quote it as code or call it out as a code violation. If its a defect or a concern, code or not, we report on it. We just don't say it's a code violation.

I always recommend upgrading non GFCI outlets in older homes. I don't say they are against code. I say "it doesn't meet current safety standards" and recommend it as a safety upgrade.

[sparksnmore]

Un-vented S-traps are likely to loose their trap seal due to a siphon allowing unwanted sewer gas to enter the building. Calling this particular trap an S-trap because of the extra short tail piece and the 90 degree turned down trap arm may be right technically BUT it looks like it's vented inside the wall so it's not near as bad as if it was going through the floor with no vent.

As opposed to a true S-trap, fixing this one right wouldn't be a big deal at all.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by jgromkoski

Bob, I think what Joe and I are saying is that we don't quote it as code or call it out as a code violation. If its a defect or a concern, code or not, we report on it. We just don't say it's a code violation.

I always recommend upgrading non GFCI outlets in older homes. I don't say they are against code. I say "it doesn't meet current safety standards" and recommend it as a safety upgrade.

OK then

[Marc-Andre Beauchemin]

Good picture,
and why not use ABS?
I am unable to tell what is behind the wall vent or not! Not quite the S trap they used to have in old janitarial mopping school sinks. So if it is vented in the wall, it is not an S trap.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by mbeauchemin

Good picture,
and why not use ABS?
I am unable to tell what is behind the wall vent or not! Not quite the S trap they used to have in old janitarial mopping school sinks. So if it is vented in the wall, it is not an S trap.

Really ,What code are you basing that statement on?

[John Gromkoski]

Wouldn't you know. I found every bath trap in this newly renovated building like this one in the photo. And what do you think of this shower drain? I'm thinking the "plumber" had no idea what a proper trap is.

[Jeffrey R. Jonas]

Originally Posted by jgromkoski

I'm thinking the "plumber" had no idea what a proper trap is.

Plumber... aka... Harry Homeowner, or more likely... Freida Flipper!

[John Gromkoski]

Originally Posted by jjonas

Plumber... aka... Harry Homeowner, or more likely... Freida Flipper!

The latter in this case

[Dustin Racine]

Yes, any trap arm which exceeds the pipe's diameter in fall before it is vented is considered an "s-trap".