Home Page link

Do showers and bathtubs have "traps"?

Home| Search | About
Login Password
Register Now! Lost Password?

Home Repair - - If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Otherwise look here. 

Bookmark this page:  YahooMyWeb Yahoo!  Google Google  Windows Live Favorites Windows Live  del.icio.us del.icio.us  digg digg  Add to Netscape Netscape
Subject Author Date
Do showers and bathtubs have "traps"? Boatman 11-12-2006
If you were  Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
Posted by Boatman on November 12, 2006, 10:55 pm


I am trying to locate the source of some odor in my bathroom. It is a "3/4
bath" and I suspect the odor is coming from the shower drain. I cannot see a
"trap" in the plumbing draining the shower (in the parts I could actually
visualize). Does plumbing draining a bathtub or shower have a trap like a
sink does? If it doesn't, does it seem reasonable this could be the source
of the odor (smells a little sewery)? The house is about 20 years old.
Thanks!

Boatman



Posted by Speedy Jim on November 12, 2006, 11:21 pm


Boatman wrote:
> I am trying to locate the source of some odor in my bathroom. It is a "3/4
> bath" and I suspect the odor is coming from the shower drain. I cannot see a
> "trap" in the plumbing draining the shower (in the parts I could actually
> visualize). Does plumbing draining a bathtub or shower have a trap like a
> sink does? If it doesn't, does it seem reasonable this could be the source
> of the odor (smells a little sewery)? The house is about 20 years old.
> Thanks!
>
> Boatman
>
>

Yes, both a tub and a shower will (should) have a trap.

If unused, the trap water *could* evaporate over (long) time.
Pour a bucket of water in to see if that helps.

Shower drains are prone to buildup of soap scum which
attracts very smelly mold. A bleach solution poured in
*might* help but you really have to get past the drain
screen with a brush to dislodge the scum.

Jim

Posted by Boatman on November 13, 2006, 11:24 am



Thanks, Jim!

I think I'll try scraping the pipe with a long "snake" and see if there's
any scum (or a trap).

Boatman



Posted by Mark on November 13, 2006, 9:44 pm


It shouldn't take a long snake. The part that would have the scum that
would result in anything you can smell would be the 1st few inches below the
stainer or stopper - the area above the water in the trap. As long as the
drain is flowing OK, Snaking beyond the trap isn't worth the effort.

If you can get the strainer or stopper out, just pick up a cheapo kitchen
brush with a handle that is small enough to get into the drain, or a bottle
brush, and scrub away. Poar a cup or 2 of bleach in afterwards and let it
stand a while, then rinse it all way.


>
> Thanks, Jim!
>
> I think I'll try scraping the pipe with a long "snake" and see if there's
> any scum (or a trap).
>
> Boatman
>
>



Posted by Boatman on November 13, 2006, 10:16 pm


Thanks for the suggestions!

Boatman



Similar ThreadsPosted
Americast(R) bathtubs January 20, 2006, 10:07 pm
Whirlpool bathtubs December 1, 2007, 11:03 am
Jetted Bathtubs: the source of a leak? May 31, 2006, 12:21 pm
Advice on showers? July 4, 2005, 10:07 am
Max Grout Spacing for Showers? October 25, 2005, 1:09 pm
Buffer for cleaning showers? March 29, 2007, 4:06 pm
Question about thermostatic showers March 22, 2006, 10:41 pm
cold when stepping out of showers October 23, 2006, 9:16 am
Lint Traps January 5, 2006, 3:30 pm
PCV vs. metal traps October 11, 2006, 10:31 pm

Contact Us | Privacy Policy

XML SitemapXML Sitemap