What Is This Pipe Under My Kitchen Sink, And Can I Get Rid Of It?

[Steve___CO]

Hello! I have a dual sink with an extra drain pipe that I am wondering if I can just get rid of. To summarize what is in the pictures, there is a garbage disposal on the right side of the sink, and in the first picture you see the white vertical pipe in the middle which is coming down from the left sink, and the garbage disposal output connecting to the tee. The two horizontal drain pipes go to the cabinet on the left, where they connect and go down to the basement and up to the roof vent.

My question is - what is this black vertical pipe on the left? It goes to the top of the cabinet and is open at the top. It used to have the dishwasher drain running in to the top of it. When I installed a new garbage disposal I connected an air gap and ran the dishwasher drain to that, and then out to the garbage disposal.

I guess my real question is, can I just cut this thing off and put a cap on it? It seems useless now that I have the dishwasher draining elsewhere. It also seems odd that it is completely open at the top, but since there is a trap I assume that is OK.

Thanks for your help and advice.
Steve

 

[Smooky]

The trap will dry out since nothing is going into it anymore and then sewer odor will escape. At minimum you should seal it up. If it serves no purpose you could get rid of it and seal the opening by gluing on an ABS end cap or you could attach a fernco qwik cap.

https://www.ferguson.com/product/fe...e=&network=g&gclid=CPmixOy7xMwCFdgWgQodNNEOhA

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Steve___CO]

Thank you! I didn't think about the water drying out.

 

[hj]

quote; I didn't think about the water drying out
THAT is why WE make the big bucks.

 

[Stuff]

If you just cap the top it won't dry out and you have a great breeding spot with the stagnant water. Better to remove the trap and horizontal run. Then use a plug at the tee. It was probably intended to be a clean-out.

For the pros - is there any code about unused/abandoned traps? Similar to a horizontal dry vent.

 

[Cool Blue Harley]

Abandoned cesspools, grease interceptors, seepage pits, septic tanks, and sewers yes. Traps...uh no. Just cut it off and glue on a cap or a clean out adaptor w/plug. The latter would be my choice.