Idea for monitoring vent pressure -- Transparent P-Trap

[Reach4]

It seems to me that a transparent P-Trap could be useful to monitor the vent pipe pressure when you suspect some vent problem. With no pressure differential, the liquid level should be equal on both sides of the U.

 

[Cjlambert]

I have never seen a transparent p-trap. And while, as a plumber I think it’s pretty nifty and could serve to be useful in quickly and easily spotting/diagnosing drainage and venting issues, as a homeowner I think it’s disgusting. I don’t want to see the soiled water and particles sitting in the trap when I go to pull out my cleaning supplies from under the sink. Yuck!

 

[Sponsor]

 

[hj]

Why not use ALL transparent pipes then you can trace and see what and where the stoppage is.

 

[Reach4]

Why not use ALL transparent pipes then you can trace and see what and where the stoppage is.

I know you are joking, but I was only thinking of this as a test instrument. Think of all the people who post that suspect they are having a vent problem. After any observations, the slip p-trap could easily be swapped back to a normal non-transparent version.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-1-2-in-Plastic-Transparent-P-Trap-C9705/205153971

 

[hj]

Not entirely. I have installed Pyrex drain lines.

 

[Sylvan]

I was going to say the same thing HJ As we installed lots of Pyrex waste and Durion system

 

[hj]

Iwonder how many modern"plumbers even know what Duriron is.

 

[Sylvan]

If they ever bought it they would certainly remember if the dropped it ...

 

[hj]

especially if they were the ones who paid for it.

 

[leelee77]

I watched a how-to video on replacing the drain pipe on youtube where the guy used a clear p-trap. I thought it was a pretty cool idea but when I looked up reviews there were a lot of complaints of them cracking.

 

[pollorey]

Home depot sells one but it is not to be used as a permanent component as it WILL crack. It is complete junk.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...tic-Sink-Drain-P-Trap-C9705/205153971#overlay

 

[Sylvan]

Why not use ALL transparent pipes then you can trace and see what and where the stoppage is.

We did at NYU for chemicals waste in 1972.

It was awesome actually seeing the waste moving through the lines

The plumbers union gave classes to apprentices on how to make our own beads using a "go / no go ring" as we heated the glass pipe and rolled it and keep checking for proper bead size

We used Pyrex for chemical waste and Duriron for acid waste



https://www.us.schott.com/d/tubing/...e04a888/1.1/170114_final_kimax-catalog_us.pdf

 

[Tuttles Revenge]

We did at NYU for chemicals waste in 1972.

We did one project with glass waste in a testing laboratory. I gave a leftover chunk to a buddy and we used his glass art tools to reshape it.

 

[Reach4]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/PF-Wate...Universal-Transparent-P-Trap-PT5021/202039600 is another clear p-trap that seems more durable than the cheaper ones. I don't know how useful the cleaning aspect would be, but I still think this could be a good troubleshooting tool if bad venting is suspected.

 

[Reach4]

It looks to be that places that used to sell these clear p-traps have stopped. The reviews seemed to say they were not nearly as durable as the regular plastic slip-joint p-traps. I did think they would be useful as a temporary inexpensive instrument to look for vacuum/pressure in the system.