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View Full Version : Bath sink p-trap location. Does it matter?


Annalorena
Oct 15, 2009, 03:06 PM
I'm replacing a 60" vanity top w/sink located to the right. P-trap & drain located right underneath. New top has the sink located in the center. Can I just add an extension and elbows and leave the trap where is at or do I have to move it (trap) right underneath the new location. :confused:

Milo Dolezal
Oct 15, 2009, 03:19 PM
Yes, you certainly can. Just extend the dirt arm to the new sink and reconnect.

speedball1
Oct 15, 2009, 04:41 PM
Can I just add an extension and elbows and leave the trap where is at Add a extension to what? The tail pice or the stubout? When we're faced with that situation we extend the stubout with a 45 over tom where the trap can be picked up. Good luck, Tom

Annalorena
Oct 15, 2009, 05:30 PM
Yes, you certainly can. Just extend the dirt arm to the new sink and reconnect.

Thanks for your answer. I'm new to this site and Plumbing lingo is not my cup of tea. Didn't know what "the dirt arm" refer too but your diagram answered my questions.

And just to be sure... Does the P-trap needs to be below the drain hole in the wall... just like it is right now?

speedball1
Oct 15, 2009, 05:52 PM
Different area plumbers use different terms for the same thing. For example, In my area we call the horizontal drain line in the wall from the sink or lavatory. "a lateral drain" . Milo calls it a "dirt arm". I quit using the term, lateral because I always had to add a explanation when I used it. In Marks,( Massplumber) area they call a clean out tee a "Dandy Cleanout" although I'v yet to figure out what's so dandy about it. The same with a "dirt arm". It's not filled with dirt.
Different strokes, etc! But when it all comes together we're all on the same page.

Does the P-trap needs to be below the drain hole in the wall...
No! The trap wants to slope to the stubout coming out of the wall. Good luck, Tom

Milo Dolezal
Oct 15, 2009, 06:56 PM
I am sorry... we sometimes automatically assume everybody knows what we are talking about. Tom did good job on explaining what "dirt arm" is. Thank you Tom for stepping in...

Indeed, in my "New configuration" drawing it appears that Trap is below the wall inlet and that Dirt Arm is going upwards to meet the drain opening in the wall. That's because it is 2D image and it is hard to draw it in proper perspective. Therefore, it can be confusing. But I am glad you asked. As Tom said, Trap has to slope towards the wall at 1/4" per foot slope.

Annalorena
Oct 15, 2009, 07:14 PM
Milo and Tom,
Thank you so much for all the info. I feel more confident about getting this job done.

hkstroud
Oct 16, 2009, 05:16 AM
Are you changing the counter top and cabinet or just the counter top? Be aware that if your cabinet has drawers where the bowl of the new top is, it ain't going to fit.

speedball1
Oct 16, 2009, 06:17 AM
Please let us know the final outcome. Tom