Best way to handle Lav drain for remodel

[Shelbycobra427]

I'm on the home stretch of a small powder room remodel and would love some feedback from the pros here on the proper way to handle my lav drain.

I was originally planning on cutting out the brass elbow and a section of the copper drain and replacing it with PVC and a solvent welded trap adapter (copper to PVC done with a banded Fernco).

Now I'm not so sure that's the best approach. Would it be better to:

1.) Wrench off the corroded chrome trap arm and try to clean up and re-use the existing trap adapter
2.) Stick with the original plan and replace with PVC?

If I go the PVC route, what's the proper way to support the new PVC 90 elbow? If I re-use the brass, what's the best way to transition to plastic for the trap?

 

[Terry]

It depends on the sizing there.
If what you have is 1-1/4" you may be better off removing the slip joint nut and trap, buying a new slip joint nut and p-trap.
If it's 1-1/2" you would also have the option of changing to PVC with a transition coupling, copper to plastic.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Shelbycobra427]

It depends on the sizing there.
If what you have is 1-1/4" you may be better off removing the slip joint nut and trap, buying a new slip joint nut and p-trap.
If it's 1-1/2" you would also have the option of changing to PVC with a transition coupling, copper to plastic.

The whole trap is going for sure. I believe the threads on the trap side of the adapter are 1 1/4", but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to do it right. Should I just stick with brass 1 1/4" or replace the trap adapter with a 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" one?

 

[Terry]

If the trap arm is 1-1/4", then that's what you have. I can't tell from the picture.

 

[Shelbycobra427]

If the trap arm is 1-1/4", then that's what you have. I can't tell from the picture.

Thanks, Terry. I appreciate the help. I'm almost certain the trap arm is 1-1/4", but I'll verify when I look later. I know the brass 90 and copper waste line are 1-1/2".

Final question: Should I stick with a metal (chromed brass) trap arm (1-1/4") or would a plastic one be better? I plan on being in the house for a while and it seems like every time I have to work on a trap, it's corroded as heck (could just be that the house is 45 years old and much of the stuff is original).

 

[Terry]

Spinning off the nut and taking it to a store will determine what size it is. Plastic traps last plenty long. They cost less and they don't deteriorate.

 

[Shelbycobra427]

Plastic it is. I'm sure the trap is 1 1/4"....I took it all apart last night.

Should I use a regular plastic wedge washer where the new plastic trap arm enters the wall?

The one that came out had what looked to be a compression nut on it. I haven't seen anything like that for plastic.

 

[Terry]

The plastic or rubber washer works.