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freeski · Jul 9, 2005, 11:12 AM

We are in the process of expanding and remodeling a bathroom. The toilet has moved and the connection to the existing draine pipe extends several feet bends 90 degrees then another several feet a second 90 degree bend then a few more feet to the existing drain pipe in the wall. We also have a shower draining into the system after the first bend. I'm not familiar with plumbing but the two 90 degree bends concern me. Also is it posssible for waste odor to enter the shower area (there is a U trap under the shower and both systems are vented). It seems to me the only other way to deal with this would be to add a new drain pipe in the wall which would mean tearing out a wall in the floor below (doable but messy). What do you think.

speedball1 · Jul 9, 2005, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by freeski

We are in the process of expanding and remodeling a bathroom. The toilet has moved and the connection to the existing draine pipe extends several feet bends 90 degrees then another several feet a second 90 degree bend then a few more feet to the existing drain pipe in the wall. We also have a shower draining into the system after the first bend. I'm not familiar with plumbing but the two 90 degree bends concern me. Also is it posssible for waste odor to enter the shower area (there is a U trap under the shower and both systems are vented). It seems to me the only other way to deal with this would be to add a new drain pipe in the wall which would mean tearing out a wall in the floor below (doable but messy). What do you think.

I addressed installing bends in the thread "What in Heck do I Have Here?" Here's what I said, "A elbo will slow down the flow from the trap to the destination. A dog leg is two elbos close together. Do the math. Any time the flow is slowed or impeded it tends to drop solids that will build up over time into a clog. Installing drain lines with lots of elbos just isn't good plumbing practice. Rule of thumb for all drainage.
Keep it as straight as you can and if you have to make a turn, (elbo) just remember that the more radius a elbo has the less friction the flow has to overcome.
I would try my best to straighten out the toilet main without tearing up my house but you can try it with the bends if that's not possible. As long as the shower is trapped and vented you should have no worry about sewer gas. If the shower is not vented than you have a problem. That should be taken care of. Regards, Tom