How to Install a New Trap for a Bathroom Sink
To install a new trap, called a P-trap, for a bathroom sink, you must first remove the old P-trap. The P-trap is a piece of drain pipe shaped like a "P." The shape of a P-trap prevents sewer gases and fumes from going against the outward flow of drain water and entering the bathroom. Bathroom traps can be replaced with a new PVC or chrome P-trap. Local building code may specify the type of plumbing assemblies required. Most new construction uses PVC pipes, which have the advantage of resisting corrosion, increasing their longevity. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- P-trap and extension assembly
- Large channel-lock pliers
- Bucket
- Hack saw
- 1¼-inch nut
- 1¼-inch rubber washers
Instructions
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1
Turn the collar nut counterclockwise until loose at the connection between the sink tailpiece and the P-trap. Turn the collar nut counterclockwise until loose at the extension tube from the wall collar to the P-trap horizontal.
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2
Place a small bucket under the trap to catch any water in the pipes. Remove the loosened P-trap and extension when it drops down.
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3
Look at the placement of the rubber washers to duplicate during replacement. Lay the new parts next to the removed assembly. Match the new 1¼-inch P-trap and extension tube to the removed pieces.
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4
Cut the extension tube to the exact length as the old P-trap assembly using a hack saw. The configuration lengths must be the same so the installation can match up exactly.
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5
Connect the new P-trap to the extension tube using the supplied 1¼-inch nut provided, or use the old nut. Leave this connection loose. Slip on the new or reused collar nuts, one on the sink tailpiece and one on the extension tube, and place new 1¼-inch rubber washers following the location from the old P-trap.
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6
Slide the new assembly in place and loosely tighten the tailpiece and extension tube collar nuts. Be sure all parts are aligned. Tighten all three nuts equally by hand. If you're using a plastic PVC P-trap, hand tightening should be sufficient. If you're using a metal chrome P-trap assembly, you can use a large pair of channel lock pliers to tighten the three collar nuts.
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7
Run the water and check for leaks. Tighten where necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
Prior to removal, a digital photo or pencil sketch of the P-trap configuration and parts associated with the assembly will aid in the reassembly if you forget how it goes back together.
Do not over-tighten plumbing connections or you can damage the rubber washers.
