# Improper P-trap?

**URL:** <https://forum.nachi.org/t/improper-p-trap/4432>\
**Category:** Plumbing Inspections\
**Created:** [May 24, 2006, 10:24pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/improper-p-trap/4432 "2006-05-24T22:24:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jfunderburk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jfunderburk/32/187920_2.png) [@jfunderburk](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jfunderburk)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 10:24pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/improper-p-trap/4432/1 "2006-05-24T22:24:52Z")

</div>

The trap seal should be between 2 and 4 inches. Is this one proper?

![052306 066.jpg](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/original/2X/9/9f92b7dcd24c74bafb75b54a337f4e796a7d6b41.jpeg)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pabernathy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/pabernathy/32/178230_2.png) [@pabernathy](https://forum.nachi.org/u/pabernathy)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 10:34pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/improper-p-trap/4432/2 "2006-05-24T22:34:04Z")

</div>

Personally…if you go by the BACK side of that trap it is more than 4 inches…I would say NO…it is a problem…

But again I called out “S” traps and got RAGGED by the plumber…because they knew I was an Electrician…thehehe

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jpope](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jpope/32/59425_2.png) [@jpope](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jpope)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2006, 10:54pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/improper-p-trap/4432/3 "2006-05-24T22:54:01Z")

</div>

The orientation of the trap is not a problem but everything else is wrong. The trap arm is higher than the drain line, and the trap should be directly in line with the tail piece of one sink, with a directional fitting from the other.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jfunderburk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jfunderburk/32/187920_2.png) [@jfunderburk](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jfunderburk)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 5:27am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/improper-p-trap/4432/4 "2006-05-25T05:27:13Z")

</div>

You guys confirmed what I thought. Thanks for your help.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dgagne1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dfb087/32.png) [@dgagne1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dgagne1)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2006, 9:30pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/improper-p-trap/4432/5 "2006-05-25T21:30:51Z")

</div>

It appears the whole trap is installed backwards, good call on the drain arm being lower than the trap arm. If they disconect it, there would be a large amount of disgusting water stuck, the drain probably worked but very poorly.  
It was a great attempt at plumbing 101, the book was probably upside down.