Hi there! My house was built in 1960 and has a slab foundation. I have removed the old master bathtub that I plan to replace with a shower. I have a couple of questions concerning the drum trap on the floor next to the master tub. First, the drum trap is so close to the bathtub that the new style showers are considerably larger and would mostly cover it up--so what are my options? What happens if I just cover it up (is that a stupid "girly" question? He he) Is it difficult to replace it with a P trap (I had read similar postings concerning ventilation)? The other concern was that there is no visible drum trap in the front bathoom--does the drainage from the other bathroom tie into this trap, or WHAT? Do I need to be on he lookout under a cabinet for another drum trap?
Thanks, Kristin.

Hi Kristen:

In my experienece with drum-traps you will usually want to replace a drum-trap for a drum-trap. Most of the systems using drum-traps do not have individually vented fixtures which is OK with a deep/wide drum-trap but a p-trap could end up getting siphoned and that could allow sewer gasses to enter into the home creating a health hazard for you and family!

If you can find a vent associated with the drain then you could definitely swap out drum-trap for a p-trap... :)

It is certainly not a bad idea to relocate the drum-trap. You could install the drum-trap so the cleanout is faced up and accessible through the floor (access plate) or in a closet behind the tub.

I'll need to know what the pipes are made of to recommend the proper fittings/clamps for this job. A shower will require a 2" pipe so if you have an 1.5" pipe under slab you will need to increase the pipe just before it enters the shower pan. Just FYI

PS: If that tub ever drained slow, when you have the drum-trap removed take the time to SNAKE the drain line now as it is simply very easy to do so now. If problem is present you want to know NOW...not later.

Let me know more...

MARK