We’ve got the ‘Stinky Kitchen Drain’ syndrome, and have pretty much established that the smell is coming from built-up junk in the drain furthest from the trap. See pic. (No, we don’t put anything strange down the drain). Would a second trap for the second drain help?
Thanks,
Scott.
Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.â€
Edited 4/2/2007 12:20 am by Scott
Replies
Scott
and have pretty much established that the smell is coming from built-up junk in the drain furthest from the trap.
How did you reach that conclusion?
Geoff
>>>How did you reach that conclusion?Mere observation, months of use, and thought. The smell isn't sewer gas (I do know the difference); and after removing the sink, I can see a considerable build-up of nasty stuff in the first drain before the trap. I'm thinking that that stuff is the stink culprit. Would a second trap help?Thanks,Scott.Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”
Scott,
As already stated, a second trap won't help for the reasons stated,However in looking at your pics it looks like the section from the right sink to left is dead level or slightly back-pitched.....and your "observations" confirm that.......loosen the nut on the right elbow and slide it up a 1/2" re-secure the nut and you should be back in business......give the elbow a good cleaning as well, don't want any lingering stink
Geoff
Scott,
one thing I forgot to mention, the dish washer drain may also be a contributor...given it's location, when the drain cycle runs you possibly are getting some food debris "backwashed " into that right elbow, and with no flow from the right sink there's nothing to wash that debris away....maybe you can re-locate where that dw line connects into the waste line...such that it is farther downstream, preferably beyond the p-trap
Geoff
maybe you can re-locate where that dw line connects into the waste line...such that it is farther downstream, preferably beyond the p-trap
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't connecting the dishwasher waste line beyond the P-trap allow sewer gases to enter the DW? (I don't know if there's some sort of automated valve at the DW.)
I'm with Geo all the way until the part about connecting the DW after the p trap.
In the extension below the basket/strainer on the left sink is where it should be.[email protected]
yep you're right, my bad, but hey it was 3am!! :)
Erics got it right.... on the left side tail piece
Geoff
The trap is there to stop sewer gas from venting up your sink. If it isn't working, it would vent through both, not one sink. So no, a second trap won't help. I can't see how you could have much "junk" in there either, as the dishwasher pumps out right there. What do you find when you look in the trap?
Maybe, but I have a different issue.
I trap each bowl, because I hate the drain noise from the trapped bowl echoing out of the un-trapped bowl into a metal sink. If three bowls, use three traps. Otherwise, it sounds cheap. As for the smell, not sure what to tell you.
Might could drop the DW in between the traps; catch any smell that way.
Forrest
Well, it sounds like there isn't a consensus on this, so what the heck, I'll throw another trap in and report back. It's gonna cost a total of about three bucks, so I might as well......Thanks for everyone's thoughts.Scott.Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”
Funny, I just had a conversation with my plumber this morning about double traps under the sink when you have a disposal and dishwasher. He told me that double traps are illegal. That is here in Oregon at least.
no ... one trap is enough as it's plumbed...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
A second or 'serial' trap is frowned upon by the code book I'm looking at now.
I'd go with the above recommendation to make sure you have the correct pitch on that drainpipe.
As I recall, locally we are required to have a separate trap for each drain, but in parallel, not serial. The reason is just what the OP is experiencing -- avoiding a length of pipe between the trap and the sink drain opening that can get pretty foul. As for diswasher hookups, it depends on city vs. county. In the city, they must be on their own trap with an air gap. In the county, they can hook into a tailpiece or disposall fitting.
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
Thanks Mike. I like the sound of that.Scott.Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”
Scott,
Even in "normal" situations, the kitchen sink can get pretty smelly. I think it just has to do with food particles, etc., that aren't present in bathroom sinks. Whenever I take apart sink drain lines, there's plenty of goo lining the pipe walls.
I know I've heard of putting salt down the drain or other things like that to try to remedy bad smells. I think you'd find some tricks like that by doing some online searches.
Ragnar
Why do you think that moving the Y a couple of inches will have any signficant affect?
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Hmmn????
SamT
There are three kinds of people: Predaters, Prey, and Paladins. For the life of me, I can't see why Prey feels safer from predators by disarming and emasculating Paladins.
You know he was waiting for you to ask that question.
Got me wondering.
deleted the post. Musthave been the wrong pic.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Parolee # 53804
Edited 4/4/2007 12:43 pm ET by rez
I fergot the force a dw discharges with. Lots o'splashing when directed straight down on a horizontal surface. Change that horizontal santee to a wye directed into the side of the vertical santee. . . maybe.
Dang, I thought I'ld make it thru this lifetime without making a mistaske. Darn it.SamT
There are three kinds of people: Predaters, Prey, and Paladins. For the life of me, I can't see why Prey feels safer from predators by disarming and emasculating Paladins.
"Dang, I thought I'ld make it thru this lifetime without making a mistaske. Darn it."Just start a new lifetime. You know witness protection plan and all of that stuff <G>..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Ya, the house might need the services of a Climate Appraisal company to consider the risks of a tsunami.
Parolee # 53804
So no "Unread Msgs "to: Me" for you.
SamT
There are three kinds of people: Predaters, Prey, and Paladins. For the life of me, I can't see why Prey feels safer from predators by disarming and emasculating Paladins.
First let me say that I am no plumber. I have a similar problem with smelly drains in the kitchen. I usually solve it by putting a cup or so of bleach in the drain at night and letting it sit there till morning. a spruce up application with baking soda is great too.
Me, too.Although I'd bet the reverse slope alluded to in previous posts is a major part of the problem. Rebeccah
Pull the little chrome cap off the "air gap" and pour 1/2 cup of straight bleach down the outside annular tube. If the smell goes away, then the problem is in the hose from the air gap to the drain. If the dishwasher is used daily and you don't have problems with overflo when the dishwasher drains, then I haven't got a clue. It should be ok. If you don't use the dishwasher often then check for some clog of gunk in the tube between the "air gap" and the drain.
What kind of freak are you anyway, nobody has such a nice clean organized undersink as that unless it completely new. You need more junk under there to make it look "lived in."
Hahahahaha. I emptied the cab out to work on it. In fact the whole kitchen is a work in progress. See my next post for the solution.
Scott.Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”