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robinp · Mar 10, 2009, 09:12 AM

I moved into a brand new home about two months ago. The last several weeks, we've had horrible smells coming from our kitchen sink. I thought it was the drains at first, but it seems to be coming from under the sink. It's hard to describe - like garbage, but a little sulfury/eggy. I've been careful not to get any food down my drains (we don't have a disposal) and have poured a lot of bleach down them. The drains seem to smell fine now.

Yesterday, I noticed that there is an open pipe under my sink. I think the smell is coming from there. It kind of took my breath away when I smelled it. Is there supposed to be an open pipe?

I'm including pictures. Also, we have a dishwasher off to the right. PLEASE, someone help me fast!! Any ideas?

ballengerb1 · Mar 10, 2009, 09:23 AM

Where do you live? This is a S trap which is illegal in the USA because they can siphon and loose the trap effect. Was the home inspected by a local building department? I have other issues with this set up. That Tee after the lateral following the trap should not be a Tee and it almost appears to be open at the top, is it?

robinp · Mar 10, 2009, 09:45 AM

I live in the Florida panhandle. This house is a rental and is new construction but has been sitting vacant for over a year so I'm not sure if it's been inspected. The builder has several empty houses in a row. That Tee IS open at the top. I think that's where my smell is coming from? I've read things online about methane gas, and that's concerned me a little, especially since I have an 11-month-old. Do you think I have to worry about that with this set up?

ballengerb1 · Mar 10, 2009, 10:04 AM

That Tee can not be open, it is a direct open line to the sewer. This is a health code and a plumbing violation. Call the builder and tell him to fix it under the new home warranty that he should provide. Let us know if the guy balks at this demand. For now, wrap the opening with Saran wrap and tape it or put a rubber band around the wrap on the end of the pipe.

speedball1 · Mar 10, 2009, 10:05 AM

Hi Robin,
Yes! You should be very concerned. You were left with a direct open connection to the city sewer and what you smell is sewer gas. Sewer gas's a hazard to your families health and the methane content makes it e4xplosive. Call trhe contractor back at once and have him install a AAV( Air Admittance Valve) (see image). If he gives you any static threaten to call in the Health Department and then do it. Please don't let this slide and keep me in the loop. I want to know how this comes out.
I can't believe a licensed plumber would build a"S" trap and then leave it open to the sewer. And what's more unbelievable is that a Plumbing Inspector inspected and passed the job. Both men should be brought up on charges of incompetency and sanctioned.
Good luck and take action NOW!! Tom

robinp · Mar 10, 2009, 01:53 PM

Thanks so much for your answers. The contractor was in the area and came right over. He was shocked that the plumber, he and the inspector missed it. He called the plumber and told him to bring a Studor. I looked and saw that that is the brand name of an AAV. The plumber came and just left. I was watching my son and my husband was with him, so I didn't check what he was doing. When he left, I looked and saw this. Is this the same thing? It doesn't look like the picture that was posted.

Milo Dolezal · Mar 10, 2009, 02:05 PM

It is OK now. It was major over-sight by the Inspector - not to mention a health hazard.

ballengerb1 · Mar 10, 2009, 04:43 PM

Robin, you been doing your homework. Yes, Studor is a brand of AAV, you now have an AAV but of unknown manufacture, its OK now.

speedball1 · Mar 11, 2009, 05:48 AM

Your plumber installed a less expensive AAV then a Studor Vent. However, you should be fine now. Regards, Tom