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mattf41 · Dec 28, 2008, 04:23 PM

I had an old rusted apart 9x9 drain assembly in the floor that was more of just a cover than a sanitary drain. It let odors and sewer flys in the house. There was a rubber plug in it to stop that, but guess it didn't work too well. I want to put a bell trap drain in it to stop odor & critters. It's terra cotta pipe with an inch or two of cement on top. The whole drain assembly plate was 9x9, but the actual drain hole is 6" with a 1" rim and the terra cotta pipe inside is 4". Its about 2" deep to the top of the pipe.

I bought a 9x9 PVC drain assembly but the line on it is 4", and thats the same size as the pipe, so it doesnt fit. I do not want to dig up the floor to replace this drain, and a smaller size would be OK. Can I put in a 6x6 drain and just cement it in place? Since a 6x6 it will only be about 3" how do I seal the line since the terra cotta is 4"?

mygirlsdad77 · Dec 28, 2008, 05:10 PM

Can you take a pic of existing drain and post it here? You may be able to use a fernco bushing(rubber bushing from 4 to 3).

There should be a trap under drain to keep sewer gas out. Have you tried dumping water down drain to fill trap?

mattf41 · Dec 28, 2008, 06:16 PM

mattf41 · Dec 28, 2008, 06:17 PM

[IMG]http://s412.photobucket.com/albums/pp206/mattf41/?action=view&current=Drain.jpg

mattf41 · Dec 28, 2008, 07:34 PM

Not sure how to add images! :)

They are here:

mattf41 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Milo Dolezal · Dec 28, 2008, 08:29 PM

Matt, looking at the posted pic #2: I may be wrong, but I have a feeling that what you have is a regular Clay clean out "T" , with clay Hub pointing up - not a floor drain. The plug covers access to the drain. This access is used to allow access to drain cleaning equipment in case sewer needs service. This opening should be covered at all times to prevent sewer gas from entering living areas, as well as prevent sewer flies from entering the same.

To make it into a fully functional floor drain, you would have to do some digging, concrete breaking and pipe cutting. You will have to install Trap and Trap Primer to keep it wet. Let us know if you want us to help you with this conversion. Otherwise, keep it plugged.

Let me ask you : when you look inside the drain - and somebody in the house is using water - can you see moving water in that pipe ? Please, let me know...

mattf41 · Dec 29, 2008, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Matt, looking at the posted pic #2: I may be wrong, but I have a feeling that what you have is a regular Clay clean out "T" , with clay Hub pointing up - not a floor drain. The plug covers access to the drain. This access is used to allow access to drain cleaning equipment in case sewer needs service. This opening should be covered at all times to prevent sewer gas from entering living areas, as well as prevent sewer flies from entering the same.

To make it into a fully functional floor drain, you would have to do some digging, concrete breaking and pipe cutting. You will have to install Trap and Trap Primer to keep it wet. Let us know if you want us to help you with this conversion. Otherwise, keep it plugged.

Let me ask you : when you look inside the drain - and somebody in the house is using water - can you see moving water in that pipe ? Please, let me know...

I watched while the toilet was flushed 2x, and from the other side of the house (closer to that "drain") the kitchen sink was left running on full. I did not see any movement of the water at all. I do want help, but please understand my issue is that I have never needed a drain there until now and the only reason I need it now is that I had a humidifier installed and it needs a very small drain. I just don't have the money to convert it to a fully functional drain at this time, if that is what it really requires. Any suggestion is truly appreciated.

mygirlsdad77 · Dec 29, 2008, 05:38 PM

I would suggest keeping this plugged off. If no drains are near by for humidifier drainage, then you can use a condensate pump. Drain from humidifier goes into condensate pump. Then that water gets pumped to any location you please. Best to run it to a laundry sink or washer stand pipe. This is a cost effective sollution to your problem. Please let me know what you think.

mattf41 · Dec 30, 2008, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Milo Dolezal

Matt, looking at the posted pic #2: I may be wrong, but I have a feeling that what you have is a regular Clay clean out "T" , with clay Hub pointing up - not a floor drain. The plug covers access to the drain. This access is used to allow access to drain cleaning equipment in case sewer needs service. This opening should be covered at all times to prevent sewer gas from entering living areas, as well as prevent sewer flies from entering the same.

To make it into a fully functional floor drain, you would have to do some digging, concrete breaking and pipe cutting. You will have to install Trap and Trap Primer to keep it wet. Let us know if you want us to help you with this conversion. Otherwise, keep it plugged.

Let me ask you : when you look inside the drain - and somebody in the house is using water - can you see moving water in that pipe ? Please, let me know...

If the water didn't move, what does this mean? Not sure how one of these works?

Thanks.

mygirlsdad77 · Dec 30, 2008, 05:14 PM

Are you saying there is standing water in the drain at all times? If so, it already has a trap installed, meaning this is most likely a floor drain. If there is water in the drain, then I'm surprised you are getting a sewer smell from it. If it is indeed a floor drain with trap underneith, then you should be fine draining hum water into it. Just because it looks rusty doesn't mean it is rotted out. Do you see any cracks or holes in the drain pipe.

mattf41 · Jan 5, 2009, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by mygirlsdad77

Are you saying there is standing water in the drain at all times? If so, it already has a trap installed, meaning this is most likely a floor drain. If there is water in the drain, then im surprised you are getting a sewer smell from it. If it is indeed a floor drain with trap underneith, then you should be fine draining hum water into it. Just because it looks rusty doesnt mean it is rotted out. Do you see any cracks or holes in the drain pipe.

I can see water standing in the pipe at all times, and if a toilet is flushed or a sink is run I don't see any waves in the water at all. But I do get strong sewer smell. I can dump a bucket of water down it and it empties as fast as I dump it in. There is a cleanout outside that I see water moving in if a sink is run or a toilet flushed though that is close to that drain.

The drain doesn't go straight down though, from what I see it kind of looks like a letter J on its side, if that tells you anything. (The little part of the j is what comes up to the floor.)

mygirlsdad77 · Jan 5, 2009, 04:24 PM

Sorry matt, Im at a loss on this one. Can't really say what to do without being there to see it. You have given very good details of your setup, and even a good pic, but I think I will have to let the others here try to help, or maybe recommend having a plumber come in and see what he thinks. ( I am a plumber, but I would have to see your setup in person to help any further). I just don't want to give you the wrong advice. Hope all works out for you.