Hello, we've been having trouble with our garbage disposal backing up, clogging up the "P" trap, and also with some odors escaping up through the sink.

We have a double sink. The garbage disposal is installed under the left side, and there is also a dishwasher to the left of the sink which drains into the disposal. The disposal drains straight across to the right and into what I think is an end outlet "T" and then down through the single "P" trap and down into the floor. There is a"T/Y" above the trap, to which a small section of hose is attached. It seems to have been the original dishwasher drain. I'm assuming this hose was for added venting, as it was open when we moved in. The problem was that it the disposal waste would shoot out the hose if were not careful. So I stopped up the hose, and we've noticed the left sink drains more slowly now.

We've had a couple bad clogs in the "P" trap (before and after plugging the hose) and now also notice a bad odor often coming from the right side sink. I'm assuming this odor was just venting into the cabinet under the sinks before I stopped up the hose, although we didn't notice it then.

I'm not sure what to do to correct our problem, if this is a venting issue or a result of the configuration and lack of a second "P" trap for the garbage disposal?

Thanks for you help sorting this out.

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down through the single "P" trap and down into the floor.

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You have just described a illegal "S" trap.

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l. So I stopped up the hose, and we've noticed the left sink drains more slowly now.

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That's because the sink was venting through that hose and you blocked it off.
It sure sounds like you have a nightmare under your sink that needs to be installed correctly. And while we're at it let's install a AAV( Air admittance vent) behind the "P" trap (see image) and eliminate those clogs. If you're still clogged remove the "J" bend from the trap and snake from there. Good luck, Tom

I don't think what I've got is an "S" trap. I realize now that I neglected to mention that there is a vent to the roof that is behind the "P" trap. Here are a couple pictures...

We're not clogged now, but we notice an odor coming from the right side of the double sink, especially when we run the garbage disposal, on the left side.

This is how it should be hooked up. Milo