Hi everyone, I’m in the pre-certification process. I’m currently doing the mock inspection for the plumbing course and had a question regarding bathroom inspections. I was at a friends house and looked in the vanity cabinet to look at the P-trap and saw a flexible P-trap going. Is this is acceptable? Has anyone ever came across this before and how did you describe it in your report? I provided a picture of the P-trap I’m questioning. Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.
The pipe needs a smooth interior.
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See that in bathrooms fairly often. As pointed out drain pipe should be smooth on the inside (code - to prevent clogging).
Be aware there is a similar product that is grey and you will see in kitchens occasionally. Although corrugated on the outside it is smooth inside and code compliant.
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It’s not allowed by code, if that’s what you’re asking.
All the time. They sell them in retail stores.
Personally, I don’t make a big deal about it. Here is my standard narrative…
Ribbed, flexible drain pipe was used at the sink. This type of drain pipe accumulates debris more easily than smooth wall pipe and is more likely to clog. Recommend monitoring for slow draining and take corrective action as needed.
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Afternoon, Marcus. Hope to find you well and in good spirits today. As well, Welcome to the InterNACHI members forum.
As to your questions about bathroom P-traps.
I wrote an article on LinkedIn that describes what you are after, hopefully.
In plumbing, a trap is a device which has a defined shape by utilizing curves or/and angles along a pipe path, to abduct gray or waste water, and prevent backflow or gases, vermin or insects from entering a building, while allowing any gray or waste water to continue flow downstream.
Plumbing Traps, P-Trap.
Just below a Sink or Wash Basin is the Tail Piece. An Inlet drain pipe mounted just above the Trap Adaptor connected to the Plumbing Trap.
The Plumbing Trap below the Trap Adapter in this image is referred to as a P-Trap, which in of itself, is a Plumbing Fixture and device.
P-trap consists of the Inlet, Trap Adapter, Top & Lower Dip, P-Trap, Cleanout, Trap Weir Seal or Crown Weir Seal below the Trap Crown, Outlet and Trap Arm.
A Plumbing Trap, by definition, is a device that retains a measured amount of water. When, in this case, lavatory fixtures are utilized, an amount of water is retained in the P-Trap while the rest of the water is drained. The water that remains in the P-Trap device is referred to as, The Trap Seal.
I hope it helps.
Robert