Guest guest Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 , There was a book published in England in the mid 1800s on design plumbing vent system. The book was printed in 2 color offset printing - really expensive and fancy for the time-especially considering it was a book on venting of plumbing. I have a few of the scanned pictures. The plumber is correct there is a vent problem. But it could be a clogged line to a vent, or the vent too low in the stack and other configuration problems. Lot of kitchen stuff can back up into old plumbing when a dishwasher is added. How do you correct it? Rip the whole wall open to get to the drain pipes and replumb them properly. I have seen people attempt to guess and spend lots of time and money doing so. Get at the problem and redo it. It is probably needed because of age anyways. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 , There was a book published in England in the mid 1800s on design plumbing vent system. The book was printed in 2 color offset printing - really expensive and fancy for the time-especially considering it was a book on venting of plumbing. I have a few of the scanned pictures. The plumber is correct there is a vent problem. But it could be a clogged line to a vent, or the vent too low in the stack and other configuration problems. Lot of kitchen stuff can back up into old plumbing when a dishwasher is added. How do you correct it? Rip the whole wall open to get to the drain pipes and replumb them properly. I have seen people attempt to guess and spend lots of time and money doing so. Get at the problem and redo it. It is probably needed because of age anyways. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 , Does the property have a crawlspace? It makes more sense to me that standing water would be found under the house than in an attic. If there was standing water in the attic you'd likely see evidence of water penetration on the ceiling. Also is there a dishwasher and if so, is the plumbing installed with a high loop? Amy S. P.S. One tip I've learned that helps to prevent an incomplete inspection or multiple trips to a property is to request that areas immediately around attic and crawlspace access points be cleared of personal items prior to the appointment. Sewer Gas Odor Can anybody shed any light on the following: Was in a house yesterday where the occupant told me that sewer gas routinely comes out of the drain in her kitchen sink. She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher. She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic. I'm not sure of the specifics, as the occupant spoke English as a second language and I haven't been given the contact info for the plumber yet. I could not get into the attic (safely) due to storage in the closet where access to the attic is. I did note that the drain leading from the right sink does not have a trap on it. It ties into the line leading from the left sink, which does have a trap. Evidently, the pressure created when the sink drains, pulls air from up above down into the other side of the sink. The owner said the plumber found standing water in the attic, but she couldn't explain what that meant. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance, Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows.Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2007 Report Share Posted August 17, 2007 , Does the property have a crawlspace? It makes more sense to me that standing water would be found under the house than in an attic. If there was standing water in the attic you'd likely see evidence of water penetration on the ceiling. Also is there a dishwasher and if so, is the plumbing installed with a high loop? Amy S. P.S. One tip I've learned that helps to prevent an incomplete inspection or multiple trips to a property is to request that areas immediately around attic and crawlspace access points be cleared of personal items prior to the appointment. Sewer Gas Odor Can anybody shed any light on the following: Was in a house yesterday where the occupant told me that sewer gas routinely comes out of the drain in her kitchen sink. She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher. She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic. I'm not sure of the specifics, as the occupant spoke English as a second language and I haven't been given the contact info for the plumber yet. I could not get into the attic (safely) due to storage in the closet where access to the attic is. I did note that the drain leading from the right sink does not have a trap on it. It ties into the line leading from the left sink, which does have a trap. Evidently, the pressure created when the sink drains, pulls air from up above down into the other side of the sink. The owner said the plumber found standing water in the attic, but she couldn't explain what that meant. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance, Be a better Heartthrob. Get better relationship answers from someone who knows.Yahoo! Answers - Check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 : While Bob’s reply has merit, it may also be overblown. A couple of things to note....... You stated: “She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher.” As I understand it, the ONLY time the odor comes out of the sink/drain, is when water is going down the drain! However, no odor is coming out of the sink/drain at other times? Since this is a double sink, is the odor present if the right side of the sink is filled with water and the plug is pulled? Do you notice the smell on the left side, or is it only a one-sided smell? You stated: “She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic.” So...the plumber got into the attic, but you could not! Strange. Regarding traps on double sinks.......You only need one trap! It is between the sink (single, double, or triple it does not matter) and the waste drain. Question......Is there a garbage disposal? Suggestion......If the sink has been there for several years, there is a biofilm build-up between the sinks and the drain pipe before the trap. There could also be a significant build-up in the garbage disposal. This film can get stinky when water is going down one side of the sink from the other and the film gets agitated. Do you hear big-time gurgling when the water drains out of the sink? If not, then I don’t accept that the vent as a problem. Maybe, but not likely. Try removing all piping under the sink including the trap and clean them real well – remove the biofilm and accumulated sludge – it is gonna stink! If that does not eliminate the odor, then you may have to get into the attic to see what the plumber saw, however, vent pipes terminate above the roof, not in the attic, so I am not sure what you are going to see in the attic. An important maintenance effort that everyone should do, but few actually do, is power-flush your waste drain system from the vent pipes, down, to the sewer lateral. Yes...this means climbing onto your roof. Power-flushing keeps the sludge from building-up in your pipes, reduces odors, maintains flow, and prevents back-gasing odors that are unpleasant. Question for the group.....How many of you power-flush your waste drains on a regular basis? At least once every 5-yrs? Or do you just wait for your toilet water to appear in your shower, then call Roto-Rooter? For what it is worth..... Can anybody shed any light on the following: Was in a house yesterday where the occupant told me that sewer gas routinely comes out of the drain in her kitchen sink. She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher. She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic. I'm not sure of the specifics, as the occupant spoke English as a second language and I haven't been given the contact info for the plumber yet. I could not get into the attic (safely) due to storage in the closet where access to the attic is. I did note that the drain leading from the right sink does not have a trap on it. It ties into the line leading from the left sink, which does have a trap. Evidently, the pressure created when the sink drains, pulls air from up above down into the other side of the sink. The owner said the plumber found standing water in the attic, but she couldn't explain what that meant. , There was a book published in England in the mid 1800s on design plumbing vent system. The book was printed in 2 color offset printing - really expensive and fancy for the time-especially considering it was a book on venting of plumbing. I have a few of the scanned pictures. The plumber is correct there is a vent problem. But it could be a clogged line to a vent, or the vent too low in the stack and other configuration problems. Lot of kitchen stuff can back up into old plumbing when a dishwasher is added. How do you correct it? Rip the whole wall open to get to the drain pipes and replumb them properly. I have seen people attempt to guess and spend lots of time and money doing so. Get at the problem and redo it. It is probably needed because of age anyways. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 The home is 5 years old. The homeowner probably waited too long to get the builder to correct it, as they are stonewalling her. Bob s wrote: ,There was a book published in England in the mid 1800s on design plumbing vent system.The book was printed in 2 color offset printing - really expensive and fancy for the time-especially consideringit was a book on venting of plumbing.I have a few of the scanned pictures.The plumber is correct there is a vent problem. But it could be a clogged line to a vent, or the vent too low in the stack and other configuration problems. Lot of kitchen stuff can back up into old plumbing when a dishwasher is added.How do you correct it?Rip the whole wall open to get to the drain pipes and replumb them properly.I have seen people attempt to guess and spend lots of time and money doing so.Get at the problem and redo it. It is probably needed because of age anyways.Bob Need a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2007 Report Share Posted August 18, 2007 Yes but isn't the problem the result of a code violation and if so I'd guess the usual statute of limitations would not apply. The builder is probably oblivious to the problem as he would have left that work up to his plumbing subcontractor. Nevertheless the builder should still be responsible and his license... his builder's bond [if any]... his reputation [for what it's worth]... should be targeted. But then it's possibly just a $400 job to correct the vent and install the missing trap at the second sink. Ken ====================== Re: Sewer Gas OdorThe home is 5 years old. The homeowner probably waited too long to get the builder to correct it, as they are stonewalling her. Bob s <BobBsafety-epa> wrote: ,There was a book published in England in the mid 1800s on design plumbing vent system.The book was printed in 2 color offset printing - really expensive and fancy for the time-especially consideringit was a book on venting of plumbing.I have a few of the scanned pictures.The plumber is correct there is a vent problem. But it could be a clogged line to a vent, or the vent too low in the stack and other configuration problems Lot of kitchen stuff can back up into old plumbing when a dishwasher is added.How do you correct it?Rip the whole wall open to get to the drain pipes and replumb them properly.I have seen people attempt to guess and spend lots of time and money doing so.Get at the problem and redo it. It is probably needed because of age anyways.BobNeed a vacation? Get great deals to amazing places on Yahoo! Travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 Thanks . In follow-up: The house was building in 2002. She filled the left side of the sink with water and when she pulled the plug, I noticed the odor in the right side. The odor occurs mostly in the right side of the sink, which is where the garbage disposal is and where the dishwasher drains to. Since the plumber was in the house, the owner has moved her mother in. Access to the attic is in the mother's bedroom closet, which has been filled with storage to the point that I could not safely climb into the attic or (more importantly) climb down. There is only one trap. And yes, I do hear the gurgling of the water as it drains down the sink. Geyer wrote: :While Bob’s reply has merit, it may also be overblown.A couple of things to note.......You stated: “She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher.” As I understand it, the ONLY time the odor comes out of the sink/drain, is when water is going down the drain! However, no odor is coming out of the sink/drain at other times? Since this is a double sink, is the odor present if the right side of the sink is filled with water and the plug is pulled? Do you notice the smell on the left side, or is it only a one-sided smell? You stated: “She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic.” So...the plumber got into the attic, but you could not! Strange.Regarding traps on double sinks.......You only need one trap! It is between the sink (single, double, or triple it does not matter) and the waste drain.Question......Is there a garbage disposal?Suggestion......If the sink has been there for several years, there is a biofilm build-up between the sinks and the drain pipe before the trap. There could also be a significant build-up in the garbage disposal. This film can get stinky when water is going down one side of the sink from the other and the film gets agitated. Do you hear big-time gurgling when the water drains out of the sink? If not, then I don’t accept that the vent as a problem. Maybe, but not likely. Try removing all piping under the sink including the trap and clean them real well – remove the biofilm and accumulated sludge – it is gonna stink! If that does not eliminate the odor, then you may have to get into the attic to see what the plumber saw, however, vent pipes terminate above the roof, not in the attic, so I am not sure what you are going to see in the attic.An important maintenance effort that everyone should do, but few actually do, is power-flush your waste drain system from the vent pipes, down, to the sewer lateral. Yes...this means climbing onto your roof. Power-flushing keeps the sludge from building-up in your pipes, reduces odors, maintains flow, and prevents back-gasing odors that are unpleasant.Question for the group.....How many of you power-flush your waste drains on a regular basis? At least once every 5-yrs? Or do you just wait for your toilet water to appear in your shower, then call Roto-Rooter?For what it is worth.....Can anybody shed any light on the following: Was in a house yesterday where the occupant told me that sewer gas routinely comes out of the drain in her kitchen sink. She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher. She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic. I'm not sure of the specifics, as the occupant spoke English as a second language and I haven't been given the contact info for the plumber yet. I could not get into the attic (safely) due to storage in the closet where access to the attic is. I did note that the drain leading from the right sink does not have a trap on it. It ties into the line leading from the left sink, which does have a trap. Evidently, the pressure created when the sink drains, pulls air from up above down into the other side of the sink. The owner said the plumber found standing water in the attic, but she couldn't explain what that meant.On 8/17/07 8:57 AM, "Bob s" <BobBsafety-epa> wrote: ,There was a book published in England in the mid 1800s on design plumbing vent system.The book was printed in 2 color offset printing - really expensive and fancy for the time-especially consideringit was a book on venting of plumbing.I have a few of the scanned pictures.The plumber is correct there is a vent problem. But it could be a clogged line to a vent, or the vent too low in the stack and other configuration problems. Lot of kitchen stuff can back up into old plumbing when a dishwasher is added.How do you correct it?Rip the whole wall open to get to the drain pipes and replumb them properly.I have seen people attempt to guess and spend lots of time and money doing so.Get at the problem and redo it. It is probably needed because of age anyways.Bob Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 Obviously you guys don't do the dishes... When one always puts the dishes in soapy water on one side and rinses them and puts them to drain on the other side, one drain stays relatively clean because it is flushed with hot soapy water regularly, where the other drain gets materials poured down it before the dish or pan is washed and has little or no hot soapy water to follow - thus a biofilm is more likely under one sink than the other. Sherryl Schultz, PhD, CIH, CSP and occasional dishwasher... optimal@... -------------- Original message from : -------------- Thanks . In follow-up: The house was building in 2002. She filled the left side of the sink with water and when she pulled the plug, I noticed the odor in the right side. The odor occurs mostly in the right side of the sink, which is where the garbage disposal is and where the dishwasher drains to. Since the plumber was in the house, the owner has moved her mother in. Access to the attic is in the mother's bedroom closet, which has been filled with storage to the point that I could not safely climb into the attic or (more importantly) climb down. There is only one trap. And yes, I do hear the gurgling of the water as it drains down the sink. Geyer <mgeyeratg1> wrote: :While Bob’s reply has merit, it may also be overblown.A couple of things to note.......You stated: “She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher.” As I understand it, the ONLY time the odor comes out of the sink/drain, is when water is going down the drain! However, no odor is coming out of the sink/drain at other times? Since this is a double sink, is the odor present if the right side of the sink is filled with water and the plug is pulled? Do you notice the smell on the left side, or is it only a one-sided smell? You stated: “She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic.” So...the plumber got into the attic, but you could not! Strange.Regarding traps on double sinks.......You only need one trap! It is between the sink (single, double, or triple it does not matter) and the waste drain.Question......Is there a garbage disposal?Suggestion......If the sink has been there for several years, there is a biofilm build-up between the sinks and the drain pipe before the trap. There could also be a significant build-up in the garbage disposal. This film can get stinky when water is going down one side of the sink from the other and the film gets agitated. Do you hear big-time gurgling when the water drains out of the sink? If not, then I don’t accept that the vent as a problem. Maybe, but not likely. Try removing all piping under the sink including the trap and clean them rea l well – remove the biofilm and accumulated sludge – it is gonna stink! If that does not eliminate the odor, then you may have to get into the attic to see what the plumber saw, however, vent pipes terminate above the roof, not in the attic, so I am not sure what you are going to see in the attic.An important maintenance effort that everyone should do, but few actually do, is power-flush your waste drain system from the vent pipes, down, to the sewer lateral. Yes...this means climbing onto your roof. Power-flushing keeps the sludge from building-up in your pipes, reduces odors, maintains flow, and prevents back-gasing odors that are unpleasant.Question for the group.....How many of you power-flush your waste drains on a regular basis? At least once every 5-yrs? Or do you just wait for your toilet water to appear in your shower, then call Roto-Rooter?For what it is worth.....Can anybody shed any light on the following: Was in a house yesterday where the occupant told me that sewer gas routinely comes out of the drain in her kitchen sink. She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher. She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic. I'm not sure of the specifics, as the occupant spoke English as a second language and I haven't been given the contact info for the plumber yet. I could not get into the attic (safely) due to storage in the closet where access to the attic is. I did note that the drain leading from the right sink does not have a trap on it. It ties into the line leading from the left sink, which does have a trap. Evidently, the pressure created when the sink drains, pulls air from up above down into the other side of the sink. The owner said the plumber found standing water in the attic, but she couldn't explain what that meant.On 8/17/07 8:57 AM, "Bob s" <BobBsafety-epa> wrote: ,There was a book published in England in the mid 1800s on design plumbing vent system.The book was printed in 2 color offset printing - really expensive and fancy for the time-especially consideringit was a book on venting of plumbing.I have a few of the scanned pictures.The plumber is correct there is a vent problem. But it could be a clogged line to a vent, or the vent too low in the stack and other configuration problems. Lot of kitchen stuff can back up into old plumbing when a dishwasher is added.How do you correct it?Rip the whole wall open to get to the drain pipes and replumb them properly.I have seen people attempt to guess and spend lots of time and money doing so.Get at the problem and redo it. It is probably needed because of age anyw ays.Bob Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 Obviously you guys don't do the dishes... When one always puts the dishes in soapy water on one side and rinses them and puts them to drain on the other side, one drain stays relatively clean because it is flushed with hot soapy water regularly, where the other drain gets materials poured down it before the dish or pan is washed and has little or no hot soapy water to follow - thus a biofilm is more likely under one sink than the other. Sherryl Schultz, PhD, CIH, CSP and occasional dishwasher... optimal@... -------------- Original message from : -------------- Thanks . In follow-up: The house was building in 2002. She filled the left side of the sink with water and when she pulled the plug, I noticed the odor in the right side. The odor occurs mostly in the right side of the sink, which is where the garbage disposal is and where the dishwasher drains to. Since the plumber was in the house, the owner has moved her mother in. Access to the attic is in the mother's bedroom closet, which has been filled with storage to the point that I could not safely climb into the attic or (more importantly) climb down. There is only one trap. And yes, I do hear the gurgling of the water as it drains down the sink. Geyer <mgeyeratg1> wrote: :While Bob’s reply has merit, it may also be overblown.A couple of things to note.......You stated: “She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher.” As I understand it, the ONLY time the odor comes out of the sink/drain, is when water is going down the drain! However, no odor is coming out of the sink/drain at other times? Since this is a double sink, is the odor present if the right side of the sink is filled with water and the plug is pulled? Do you notice the smell on the left side, or is it only a one-sided smell? You stated: “She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic.” So...the plumber got into the attic, but you could not! Strange.Regarding traps on double sinks.......You only need one trap! It is between the sink (single, double, or triple it does not matter) and the waste drain.Question......Is there a garbage disposal?Suggestion......If the sink has been there for several years, there is a biofilm build-up between the sinks and the drain pipe before the trap. There could also be a significant build-up in the garbage disposal. This film can get stinky when water is going down one side of the sink from the other and the film gets agitated. Do you hear big-time gurgling when the water drains out of the sink? If not, then I don’t accept that the vent as a problem. Maybe, but not likely. Try removing all piping under the sink including the trap and clean them rea l well – remove the biofilm and accumulated sludge – it is gonna stink! If that does not eliminate the odor, then you may have to get into the attic to see what the plumber saw, however, vent pipes terminate above the roof, not in the attic, so I am not sure what you are going to see in the attic.An important maintenance effort that everyone should do, but few actually do, is power-flush your waste drain system from the vent pipes, down, to the sewer lateral. Yes...this means climbing onto your roof. Power-flushing keeps the sludge from building-up in your pipes, reduces odors, maintains flow, and prevents back-gasing odors that are unpleasant.Question for the group.....How many of you power-flush your waste drains on a regular basis? At least once every 5-yrs? Or do you just wait for your toilet water to appear in your shower, then call Roto-Rooter?For what it is worth.....Can anybody shed any light on the following: Was in a house yesterday where the occupant told me that sewer gas routinely comes out of the drain in her kitchen sink. She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher. She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic. I'm not sure of the specifics, as the occupant spoke English as a second language and I haven't been given the contact info for the plumber yet. I could not get into the attic (safely) due to storage in the closet where access to the attic is. I did note that the drain leading from the right sink does not have a trap on it. It ties into the line leading from the left sink, which does have a trap. Evidently, the pressure created when the sink drains, pulls air from up above down into the other side of the sink. The owner said the plumber found standing water in the attic, but she couldn't explain what that meant.On 8/17/07 8:57 AM, "Bob s" <BobBsafety-epa> wrote: ,There was a book published in England in the mid 1800s on design plumbing vent system.The book was printed in 2 color offset printing - really expensive and fancy for the time-especially consideringit was a book on venting of plumbing.I have a few of the scanned pictures.The plumber is correct there is a vent problem. But it could be a clogged line to a vent, or the vent too low in the stack and other configuration problems. Lot of kitchen stuff can back up into old plumbing when a dishwasher is added.How do you correct it?Rip the whole wall open to get to the drain pipes and replumb them properly.I have seen people attempt to guess and spend lots of time and money doing so.Get at the problem and redo it. It is probably needed because of age anyw ays.Bob Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2007 Report Share Posted August 21, 2007 Obviously you guys don't do the dishes... When one always puts the dishes in soapy water on one side and rinses them and puts them to drain on the other side, one drain stays relatively clean because it is flushed with hot soapy water regularly, where the other drain gets materials poured down it before the dish or pan is washed and has little or no hot soapy water to follow - thus a biofilm is more likely under one sink than the other. Sherryl Schultz, PhD, CIH, CSP and occasional dishwasher... optimal@... -------------- Original message from : -------------- Thanks . In follow-up: The house was building in 2002. She filled the left side of the sink with water and when she pulled the plug, I noticed the odor in the right side. The odor occurs mostly in the right side of the sink, which is where the garbage disposal is and where the dishwasher drains to. Since the plumber was in the house, the owner has moved her mother in. Access to the attic is in the mother's bedroom closet, which has been filled with storage to the point that I could not safely climb into the attic or (more importantly) climb down. There is only one trap. And yes, I do hear the gurgling of the water as it drains down the sink. Geyer <mgeyeratg1> wrote: :While Bob’s reply has merit, it may also be overblown.A couple of things to note.......You stated: “She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher.” As I understand it, the ONLY time the odor comes out of the sink/drain, is when water is going down the drain! However, no odor is coming out of the sink/drain at other times? Since this is a double sink, is the odor present if the right side of the sink is filled with water and the plug is pulled? Do you notice the smell on the left side, or is it only a one-sided smell? You stated: “She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic.” So...the plumber got into the attic, but you could not! Strange.Regarding traps on double sinks.......You only need one trap! It is between the sink (single, double, or triple it does not matter) and the waste drain.Question......Is there a garbage disposal?Suggestion......If the sink has been there for several years, there is a biofilm build-up between the sinks and the drain pipe before the trap. There could also be a significant build-up in the garbage disposal. This film can get stinky when water is going down one side of the sink from the other and the film gets agitated. Do you hear big-time gurgling when the water drains out of the sink? If not, then I don’t accept that the vent as a problem. Maybe, but not likely. Try removing all piping under the sink including the trap and clean them rea l well – remove the biofilm and accumulated sludge – it is gonna stink! If that does not eliminate the odor, then you may have to get into the attic to see what the plumber saw, however, vent pipes terminate above the roof, not in the attic, so I am not sure what you are going to see in the attic.An important maintenance effort that everyone should do, but few actually do, is power-flush your waste drain system from the vent pipes, down, to the sewer lateral. Yes...this means climbing onto your roof. Power-flushing keeps the sludge from building-up in your pipes, reduces odors, maintains flow, and prevents back-gasing odors that are unpleasant.Question for the group.....How many of you power-flush your waste drains on a regular basis? At least once every 5-yrs? Or do you just wait for your toilet water to appear in your shower, then call Roto-Rooter?For what it is worth.....Can anybody shed any light on the following: Was in a house yesterday where the occupant told me that sewer gas routinely comes out of the drain in her kitchen sink. She proceeded to fill up one side of the sink (left side) with water and when she pulled the plug, sewer gas odor came out of the drain on the other side side of the sink. She said this also happens when she runs the dishwasher. She had a plumber come in (some time ago) who told her that its due to an incorrect installation of a plumbing vent in the attic. I'm not sure of the specifics, as the occupant spoke English as a second language and I haven't been given the contact info for the plumber yet. I could not get into the attic (safely) due to storage in the closet where access to the attic is. I did note that the drain leading from the right sink does not have a trap on it. It ties into the line leading from the left sink, which does have a trap. Evidently, the pressure created when the sink drains, pulls air from up above down into the other side of the sink. The owner said the plumber found standing water in the attic, but she couldn't explain what that meant.On 8/17/07 8:57 AM, "Bob s" <BobBsafety-epa> wrote: ,There was a book published in England in the mid 1800s on design plumbing vent system.The book was printed in 2 color offset printing - really expensive and fancy for the time-especially consideringit was a book on venting of plumbing.I have a few of the scanned pictures.The plumber is correct there is a vent problem. But it could be a clogged line to a vent, or the vent too low in the stack and other configuration problems. Lot of kitchen stuff can back up into old plumbing when a dishwasher is added.How do you correct it?Rip the whole wall open to get to the drain pipes and replumb them properly.I have seen people attempt to guess and spend lots of time and money doing so.Get at the problem and redo it. It is probably needed because of age anyw ays.Bob Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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