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The subject pretty much sums up my question, if they are illegal, why are they being sold in Lowe's. Im not doubting anyone's word here, Im just curious.
I saw 1 1/2" and 1 1/4" OD lavratory S traps in Lowe's today while browsing around.
I also have S traps in my home. Ive thought about replacing them with vented P traps this spring, but Im not really having a problem with my plumbing, should I apply a "if it aint broke, dont fix it" attitude to this?
It is not against the law to sell S-traps, it is just illegal to use them in certain locations. They work, the only problem with them is that it is easy for a string or a bunch of hair to siphon the traps by the osmosis system.
Oh I understand why they can be a problem. I wasn't doubting that, I just figured you wouldn't see them sold if they were illegal.
I mean, to be honest, before I started reading into this a while back, Ive installed them.
Ive never lived in a house that wasn't at least 50 years old. Its just customary to see S traps running into the floor. And in my old house, when I had an old metal S trap under the sink start leaking, I replaced it with a new PVC S trap. Never knew they were illegal, of course that was a while back.
Of course, when you don't know any better, and you have a leaking S trap, walk into your local hardware store, and see new PVC S traps for sale, your not thinking about code, your just wanting to get your sink fixed.
Why can you still buy 2 prong outlets too?
Let me start with Chapter seven, Section 703.5(b) titled, Prohibited Traps of the Standard Plumbing Code that states, "Full "S" traps are prohibited."Quote:
Originally Posted by andrewcocke
Every plumbing code in the United States and Canada has outlawed them.
While it's not illegal to sell them it is illegal to install them in new construction,(go figure!)
They are sold in stores for replacement in older homes, such as yours.
While some plumbers , and most inspectors, would disagree with me I'm with you.
Why go to the expense and hassle of tearing up your house to vent a system that's been working for years.
The reason they were outlawed in the first place is that it's possible that the suction developed by draining water could possibly lower water in the trap to the point of letting sewer gas escape, or as Letmetellu has posted," that it is possible for a string or a bunch of hair to siphon the traps by the osmosis system". The operative word in all this is "possible". If there's the remotest chance of anything wrong happening the code framers address it. Which is why you see backflow preventers being installed out next to water meters. Hope this answers your questions. Regards, Tom
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