Friday, October 24, 2003
You read the headline correctly. We're discussing the T-trap not the P-trap.
First, a little Plumbing 101. The P-trap is that P-shaped curl in the drain below the sink (and other plumbing fixtures) that acts as a water door -- preventing sewer gasses from escaping into your home. A no-odor device, if you will.
The curved portion holds water and traps sewer gas. Water and waste travel downward through the P-trap with no problem, while sewer gasses stay where they belong -- in the sewer -- below the P-trap. The P-trap also can be a valuables-saving device.
Have you ever dropped a piece of jewelry down the drain thinking it to be lost forever? The P-trap could save the day. The same loop that holds back sewer gasses could save your ring as well.
Unfortunately, the P-trap can also be a problem. Hair and soap scum can build and cause the drain to clog at the curve.
There are however, high-end P-traps that have access ports at the bottom. This feature makes cleaning quick and easy.
Place a bowl under the trap with the water off, then loosen the nut on the base of the trap. What's inside can be cleaned and/or removed without going through a complete trap removal. Jewelry and other valuables, or hair and grease, can all be extracted through this opening.
Something new
Now, the T.F. Marchionda Corp. of Youngstown has come up with something better than the P-trap -- the T-trap. Where the P-trap is shaped like the letter P, the new T-trap is shaped -- unsurprisingly -- like the letter T. The T-trap does the same thing as the P-trap, only a little better. Where an upscale P-trap has an access hole, the T-trap has an access hole and a removable (and replaceable) filter.
Nothing can get past this improved trap. Jewelry, money, and other valuables can't be lost. The filter is intended to trap hair and soap scum as well -- reducing clogs down the line that could be very difficult to clean and clear. The removable filter also eliminates the need for chemical drain cleaners (who wants poisonous drain-cleaning chemicals around, anyway?).
By the way, by not using strong drain cleaners, you help reduce environmental pollution. And, who wouldn't want to easily remove drain sediment and buildup before it can clog?
With the T-trap, you open the trap, pull out the filter and anything that might be stuck in it. At this point you can clean the existing filter or replace it if it has become damaged. It's that easy.
Another helpful aspect of the T-trap is the see-through inspection window. You can view what's in the drain basket.
Installing the T-trap
Tools are not required to install the T-trap, although a pipe wrench might be needed to remove the old drain components.
The cost is only about $9.95.
Make sure you have all of the parts for assembly:
U1 drain T-trap
U1 retrieval basket
U1 flanged slip nut with window and rubber gasket
U2 11/2-inch slip nuts
U2 11/2-inch washers
U2 11/2-inch x 11/4-inch reducing washers
Making the change is simple.
UPlace a bucket or pan under the old trap to catch any water that might reside therein.
URemove the old slip nuts and washers and replace them with new ones.
UInstall the T-trap in place of the old drain trap and tighten the slip nuts "hand-tight."
UNext, run some water to check for leaks at the new drain connections.
UFinally, if leaks exist, slightly tighten the slip nuts. If a wrench is used, it is important to employ a gentle touch. Slip nuts can be easily over-tightened. This is one case where less is more.
For more information on the T-trap, e-mail the company at information@noclogttrap.com or visit www.noclogttrap.com on the Web. The company that makes the product is T.F. Marchionda Corporation, PO Box 322, Youngstown, Ohio 44501.
XFor more home improvement tips and information, visit www.onthehouse.com on the Web.