Removing drum trap in lead drain

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Jastori

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Attached is a picture of our existing tub drain. The sink, tub, and toilet drain is original ~1920s lead into a cast iron stack. A prior owner replaced the tub and connected 1.5" PVC from the new tub drain to the lead drum trap with a fernco (see picture). The bathroom tile floor has a rough hole in it to access the drum trap from above. My wife is not too fond of the hole in the floor, and the tub drain is currently clogged up (the toilet drain seems to be working fine).

We are wondering if we could replace the drum trap with a 1.5" PVC trap, and still tie into the existing lead drain with a fernco or something similar. Is there a reason that all the lead needs to be replaced? It appears to be in good condition, and is not currently leaking. Will removing the drum trap lead to less clogs? We are also wondering whether the slipfit plastic drain should be replaced with glued PVC to enable future snaking, and reduce the chance for leaks. This tub is the only tub / shower in the house, and needs to serve 2 adults (shower) and 2 toddlers (bath).

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!
 

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Gary Swart

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Drum traps belong with button shoes and buggy whips.:D Yes, it can be replaced with a P trap. Your connections should be made with no hub, aka banded, couplings. They are similar to the neoprene sleeve as pictured, but they have a stainless steel band around the whole sleeve. Neoprene couplers like you have are not supposed to be used above ground as they don't provide enough support to the joint, and while they obviously work, the no hub is better. As far a removing the lead, I'll leave that to the pros. If it was mine, I'd replace it, but that's just me. Besides the dangers of lead, I'd be concerned that the lead might deform when clamping the no hub. Don't that this last part as the final or best answer.
 

Redwood

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I saw this posting in another forum. The lead drum trap drains via a lead line into a lead closet bend... Its all got to go to get a reliable drain connection.
 

Master Plumber Mark

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Tha is nasty....

that is one that makes me shiver just looking at it....


the fernco fitting tied into the arm is your best shot at victory.....


I would suggest cutting that arm out with a hack saw and
not a sawzall

that will keep from shakeing the toilet arm..
and possibly warping the lead line you want to tie onto....

then get the fernco fitting and use some pvc glue
on the lead arm and on the inside of the fernco...

the glue actually helps make the neopreme adhere to the the lead joint.....

tighten it down then run your pvc to the trap...




that takes me back to days long gone......
thank god for that..too
 

Gary Swart

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Plumber Mark, why wouldn't you take out the drum trap, install a P trap, and get rid of all of the lead pipe?
 

Jastori

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Thanks very much for all of the feedback....

I apologize for the confusion about the missing pictures - I had posted on another forum with a link to the 3 pictures.

I very much appreciate all of the comments and advice!
 
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