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Discussion Forum

Shower without a p-trap

JasonG | Posted in General Discussion on April 6, 2007 05:55am

Our shower does not have a p- or s- trap – it is connected directly to the sewer pipe in the basement, so we oftem have sewer gas smells in the bathroom. Can I install a p-trap anywhere along the “horizontal” run of pipe between the shower drain and sewer stack? It would be most accessible to install and service about 2 feet from the tub drain. Will this be a problem?

Also, I understand that by not peeing in the shower, I won’t need a trap! I figured that response would be coming, though.

Thanks,
Jason

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Replies

  1. grpphoto | Apr 06, 2007 06:24pm | #1

    > Can I install a p-trap anywhere along the "horizontal" run of pipe
    > between the shower drain and sewer stack?

    From a practical viewpoint (that is, keeping sewer gases from coming out the line), yes. I don't know about code.

    > Also, I understand that by not peeing in the shower, I won't need a
    > trap!

    I hope you're joking. The gases don't just come from what you put down the shower drain.

    George Patterson, Patterson Handyman Service

    1. Shacko | Apr 06, 2007 07:01pm | #8

      grpphoto: Good post, any trap is better than none, but down stream is usually against code, I have to limit my posts because on BREAKTIME for some reason I can't paragraph a sentence. "May the force be with you".........................................
      "If all else fails, read the directions"

      1. JasonG | Apr 06, 2007 07:56pm | #9

        Thanks for the trapguard link - I will look into that further.And yes, I was kidding about peeing in the shower - I know where the gasses are coming from - just trying to head off comments about "pee-traps" and smelly bathrooms.Jason

        1. nicoman | Apr 06, 2007 08:19pm | #10

          According to the JLC Field Guide traps should be as close as possible but code officials will often allow up to 2 feet to avoid framings obstacles.

          1. paulwaterloo1 | Apr 06, 2007 09:03pm | #11

            Don't forget the vent! I have a house that a guy took out the vent on the 1st floor tub drain and allowed the tub to drain to the vent of the vanity in the basement.

            When you took a shower on the first floor, the traps in the basement would burp....and when the laundry machine filled the work tub, it would burp the trap on the first floor....stinky little mess.

            But I resolved it on my recent bath redo by providing adequate vents.....now everything goes down very quickly!

            Edited 4/6/2007 2:04 pm by PaulWaterloo

        2. Shacko | Apr 07, 2007 06:31pm | #16

          JasonG: I think that you responded to the wrong post, I did not give a link to a Thapguard, I think that it is a bad idea on a shower and probably against code. Most of these type of devices are for floor drains that have a trap in them, I don't see where you can use them in lieu of the trap, luck...................................
          "If all else fails, read the directions"

  2. Shacko | Apr 06, 2007 06:28pm | #2

    ALL FIXTURES NEED A TRAP!! The trap needs to be as close to the drain as possible, it should not be run 2ft. downstream. Peeing in the shower is not the prob. its what is comming up thru. the sewer system that could cause you a major health issue!, fix this as fast as possible!

    ........................................
    "If all else fails, read the directions"
    1. DoRight | Apr 06, 2007 09:55pm | #12

      Please people, give the guy a break.  Or lighten-up, try reading the guys post, and perhaps think.  The guy was trying to preempt one of you guys making a crack, so often done here for humor and with good affect, using a pun about peeing/urinating in a P-trap.  A trap to caught Pee, get it?

      1. User avater
        Matt | Apr 06, 2007 11:37pm | #13

        Thanks DoRight.  We need more kind and sensitive types around here.  There are way too many meanies... ;-)

        1. DoRight | Apr 07, 2007 01:07am | #14

          Matt, I do it at my own peril.  Typically, it elicits more bashing and personal attacks as the high-school clicks engage to defend one of their own.  I find human nature interesting.  But, in the end I just plain feel bad for new, well intentioned, postings getting rip for no reason.  I like to let them know that not everyone is ready to cut them a new .....

          1. hasbeen | Apr 08, 2007 10:11pm | #23

            A new.... sewer vent? < G >I agree with you that acerbic comments should be reserved for people known to deserve then.

            "Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd."

            ~ Voltaire

          2. JasonG | Apr 09, 2007 02:42pm | #24

            Thanks for the advice. I installed a proper p-trap this weekend. Beams prevented installation from the basement, but I was able to cutthrough a closet wall and not have much trouble.Also thanks for the confessions about peeing in the shower. Luckily my toilet does a remarkable job at disposing of bodily waste and my wife and kids don't have to bathe in it!Jason

      2. Shacko | Apr 07, 2007 06:07pm | #15

        DoRight: I did get the point, but running into some of the most ridiculous advice that was given to people over the years, I have to err on the safe side. BTW, I think that most people will pee in the shower, I bez one of them............................................
        "If all else fails, read the directions"

        1. Hudson Valley Carpenter | Apr 07, 2007 06:32pm | #17

          <<BTW, I think that most people will pee in the shower, I bez one of them.>>

          And now it's time for ...tah dah... 

          TRUE CONFESSIONS

          I too, have watched the yellow stream curl sinuously around the shiny chrome drain, then cascade gracefully into the black abyss, of ABS. 

           

          1. Shacko | Apr 07, 2007 06:49pm | #18

            RIGHT ON!!

          2. User avater
            xxPaulCPxx | Apr 07, 2007 07:31pm | #19

            Two words for you guys:

            "EW!  Eeeeeeewwww!"

             

            I really don't like bathing in toilets, if i have a say in the matter.  Yes, I know that pee is sanitary, it even has antibiotic qualities.  Still don't like standing in someone's urinal.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

            Also a CRX fanatic!

          3. Shacko | Apr 08, 2007 06:22pm | #20

            You're not alone in the shower, are you?

  3. User avater
    BillHartmann | Apr 06, 2007 06:28pm | #3

    You might want to look at these.

    http://www.trapguard.com/

    They are a waterless, mechanical trap system.

    .
    .
    A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
    1. andyb | Apr 06, 2007 06:38pm | #5

      Have you had good luck with these?

      1. User avater
        BillHartmann | Apr 06, 2007 07:01pm | #7

        I have not used one. Just remember seeing them in the new product news..
        .
        A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

    2. grpphoto | Apr 06, 2007 06:45pm | #6

      Thanks for the link. I'm gonna need one of those in a few weeks.George Patterson, Patterson Handyman Service

  4. User avater
    FatRoman | Apr 06, 2007 06:34pm | #4

    I'll second the TrapGuard.

    I have a basement shower that likely has no trap before it hits the sewer line, and was putting out some nasty smelling air. I put one of these in and, presto, no more foul odors. Best $20 I spent in a long time.

  5. bubbajames | Apr 08, 2007 06:48pm | #21

    Do it right- put in a proper p-trap somewhere in the line. I doubt trap-guard meets code for this application.(it is meant for a floor trap).

  6. Sbds | Apr 08, 2007 09:02pm | #22

    Fine Homebuilding, Kitchen & Bath issue #167 Winter 2004 Page 24 "Offset traps make space under the sink".

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