Hey folks,
I encountered this on an inspection today. Can you guys help clarify if a flex line is ok for both uses? I understood it was ok from the dishwasher but not sure about the waste leaving the unit.
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Yes, okay from dishwasher since that type is typically supplied by manufacturer but the other drain is a no go in my opinion.
P3002.3.1Drainage.Drainage fittings shall have a smooth interior
waterway of the same diameter as the piping served . All fittings
shall conform to the type of pipe used. Drainage fittings
shall have no ledges, shoulders or reductions which can retard or
obstruct drainage flow in the piping. Threaded drainage pipe fittings
shall be of the recessed drainage type, black or galvanized.
Drainage fittings shall be designed to maintain one-fourth unit
vertical in 12 units horizontal (2-percent slope) grade.
EDIT: If this stuff, okay I guess:
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Looks like that new(er) approved flex drain from here. Were there any numbers/manufacturer etc on it?
Not familiar with that, Dave. Got a link?
That drain line looks like the new type that has a smooth interior, not the older clog prone type. (Like this one)
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I could be wrong looking for it now. Wasn’t there an approved flex pipe that came out a few years ago? Smooth on the inside?
Wrong but working. I can argue either side with respect to our industry and SOPs… you’ve found the gray area of our industry with gray water through a crappy gray hose 
All that being said, I’d at least write it up as an inferior product notorious for poor performance.
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Thanks Matt and team for your comments. This was a one-year warranty inspection, so definitely a newer home.
According to Snappy Trap FAQ page some models are Code compliant…
Does Snappy Trap™ meet plumbing code standards?
Yes, Snappy Trap™ model numbers DK-110 and DK-100 are certified by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) to meet the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). The UPC certification is valid in all US 50 states and Canada. Model numbers DK-110 and DK-100 comply with IGC 301. Model numbers DK-105 and DK-120 are listed with IAPMO to meet the criteria of IGC 328.
Here is the link…
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All that crap about Snappy Trap being code compliant depends on how it is run. Pvc is code compliant but installation fails abound! If it has good drainage and a sufficient trap I wouldn’t be bothered with it.
In this case however, the fact that it is an 11 month warranty inspection (new house) is bothersome!
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Matt, I think I’ll challenge you on that. Notorious for poor performance? Really? I’ve been seeing that product in use for 4 or 5 years now around here. I’ve had 0 experiences seeing it fail or even leak (not even a little bit) Whenever I challenge it by pushing or pulling on it to see if it’s loose it feels like a very robust product. And, I’d dare say that I think Its more resilient to being bumped by people storing things beneath their sinks simply because it has some ability to flex a little bit. Do you have examples of failures (product, not installation) that you can share? I try to be careful not to condemn new products just because they aren’t what I’m used to seeing over the course of my lifetime. My parents generation probably condemned the use of plastic pipes under sinks when chrome plated brass was the norm. But look at it now. The brass drain components would deteriorate from water conditions and need periodic replacement but the plastic components just keep right on working.
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A new construction home with a Snappy Trap, screams of a plumber/builder with no clue! Yes, a Snappy Trap pipe is smooth but I have never seen a real plumber use or install one!
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CYA for when my client calls due to it failing or the next inspector calling it out. I really don’t care if someone plumbs their entire house with them… I just don’t like my phone ringing with BS.
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Good to know about this product. I’ve always called for accordion style drain lines to be recommended to be replaced. Now I will be taking this in consideration. Thanks!
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IMHO The overall ‘lesson’ from this thread for new inspectors (or seasoned) is when you see something new or unusual take lots of photos for your research. Close up, overview, different angles, particularly any stamps, labels etc on the product/item of interest. Sometimes I have to squeeze in a camera/phone into a tight space to get the label, once I used a mirror because the space was too tight for a device.
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Good suggestion Dave. I do have a mirror in my tool bag for such purposes.
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I put this as acceptable unless there is some evidence of leak or clogging and state “Smooth walled hard plumbing is recommended for all drain lines, accordion style drains are prone to clogging over time, consider replacement with conventional smooth walled drain lines.” The white accordion style adapters i put as marginal with the same language.
The gray pipe shown in the picture is a smooth walled pipe and is approved for use in residental plumbing if it is used for what it is designed for. The ridges are on the outside of the pipe, it is nothing like the accordion white connector pipes that are not approvved for use but we often see.
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