When someone is thinking too deeply, they can get trapped in an idea. And what was imagined ends up not
becoming exactly what it should, and isn't right.
Getting trapped in an idea is exactly what has happened here.
Turning on the water in this sink to test it I noticed that it drained very slowly. VERY slowly.
The pop up drain maybe could have opened a little higher and needed an adjustment.
But still, it drained VERY slowly!
Hair? Goopy clog?
Looking underneath I think we know why!
Ideally a trap under a sink is about 4" deep. That's deep enough to store water to prevent sewer gases from entering the house. And it's not so deep that water passes easily.
Like the porridge and beds in the Goldilocks adventure, the depth of 4" traps is just right.
Well, in over thinking this trap, what did this "plumber" do?
- It is exceptionally deep, so there is more trapped water, about 18", than there is water forcing it down (then up). Hence the slow drain.
- There are four handsome compression fittings! More is better, right?
- Slightly askew, what could be better to align everything than some nice accordion material, sure to last a long, long time!
- Hard to see perhaps, there is putty or caulking where the white tubing meets the metal on the left, at the top compression fitting on the right, and the lower compression fitting on the right.
- Properly plumbed nothing here would leak and putty or caulking would not be necessary. But hey, it isn't leaking now so the objective was met! Right on!
My recommendation: slow drains can mean a lot of things. But it's always fun to have a look under the hood, so to speak, and see how things are done! You might just find some deep thinking! And a deeeeeep trap! In this case it was a LOT of fun! And when things aren't right, well, they just aren't right.
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 
Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.
Office (703) 330-6388 Cell (703) 585-7560
I would have known it was too deep and not the 4" part - I know that too much water in the pipes would have to be displaced for the water to drain....good call
Interesting to see what you might see next to the calamine lotion. That is a really big trap...never seen one that deep.
I have seen the straight shots with no traps and the gas issue can't be missed.
Wallace - everyone who has had a 7th grade science class knows about displacement!
Kathryn - these traps happen a lot, but this one was especially well decorated!
Richard - those are out there too! I have had that post as well...
Good morning Jay. Really curious the thinking behind adding extensions to both sides when it looks like they could have made it work fine and saved space without the extra fittings.
In the case of drains...slow and steady does not win the race...and better to see if the Hair/Hare can run more quickly !
Exactly Randy. Homeowner job to be sure! The thinking isn't always understood by me, or rational other peope like you!
S&D - you got that right! This was a VERY slow drain! And likely without any hair.
Jay, you are right, most of the time it is hair trapped around the stopper. When Joe Handyman replaces his old sinks, sometimes the plumbing becomes very inventive!
This is truly inventive Fred, well decorated and very deeply thought out!
The prescribed length of the seal is 2" - 4", which could easily be accomplished here by removing some pipe. I would believe the leaking is likely caused by the additional water sitting in the pipe.
Jay, The deep trap theory was just tested ; ) Also I am looking for any documents that show those accordion pipes are actually an approved plumbing pipe.
Jay, You are such a wealth of knowledge and I see exactly what you mean.
Jim - I have to think this trap was proper originally. It was changed for whatever reason this guy thought it needed to be - perhaps a new cabinet.
Love the accordion pipes Don! I have a plumber friend who calls that a "temporary repair." That's the kind of thing he does short term if he doesn't have something necessary on the truck and needs to come back in a couple of days.
Thanks Debbie. These things can get fun, but still, we want to be instructive.
Morning Jay, The cost for all the extra parts might have covered the cost of a real plumber !
Who knows, Bill, you may be right!
Morn' Jay. That is funny, I think I know what happened - first off, there where no instructions, second "what water in the trap?"... I'm guessing someone doesn't have a license for something...I'm amazed at what people do that actually things worse.
Once again the point of knowing something and charging accordingly is made...very well here I might add. That type of information is what veterans in any business are selling and it is worth the purchase price too...good one here Jay
To be sure. .just call an experienced inspector that knows his stuff. . . like you!
I recently visited a property that had a combination of pvc, galvanized steel, plastic and cast iron.
Good stuff.
Jay, Great info from an expert in the field... leave it to a pro to spot the problem.
Two weeks ago, I had my teenagers clean out the drain pipe under their bathroom sink and remove the glob of long brown hair that had gathered there. Works like a charm now.
I don't think he was over thinking when the plumber did this. It's just easier to connect something that is longer rather than manuvering in a 4" space.
I would not have installed it this way if I knew YOU were going to inspect my work Jay.
This could not have been done by a licensed plumber. Looks like a project from a "honey do" list.
Another from the halls of the DIY home owner. That's why I don't do ANYTHING around the house myself that involves anything mechanical...outside of changing filters and light bulbs.
Good evening, Jay. What a goof-ball. Just because you can purchase those expandable connectors at the big box stores, doesn't mean they are code legal...
Terkel - the creativity of man will never cease to amaze!
Richie - a veteran amateur created this little wonder! And a fun one it is!
Thanks Fernando. This one wasn't hard to spot!
Anthony - must have been an older house. They usually have a mish mash of plumbing.
Should have installed another flexi pipe on the drain side so the trap could be moved down when company comes. A slow drain might keep the in-laws stay to a minimum.
Sandy - cleaning old hair from those traps is one of life's more fun jobs!
C&D - not over thinking, deeply thinking! I'm willing to bet this was no plumber.
Busted Steve, but I don't remember sending you to the dog house. That could be you, in your hero garb, walking off into the sunset!
Hella - I think you are right. No plumber learned this in plumbing trade school!
Chris Ann - those are some hallowed halls too! You wanted a thermal image sweep. This hot weather would be a good time to do it!
Michael - love those accordion connectors! But especially when they are so decorated..
William - that is a pretty good axiom!
That is some out of the box thinking Rob! Not as deep as this guy perhaps, but really out of the box!
Wow, Jay! Even a girl can figure out this one! Why would a plumber do that? Oh, maybe it wasn't a plumber.
Jay - Yes, I think Patricia is onto something...I think most plumbers would understand this. Good catch.
Morning Jay looks like Uncle Bob has struck again. Not with Duct tape but an extension on a drain. We need to find him and pick his brain for ideas. Somewhere there needs to be a logical reason for him to do what he does.
I'm doubting it was a plumber Pat! But if so, I want his name to add to my do-not-call list!
Debbie - checking underneath I thought I might find a leak, but this was one dry installation!
And the lack of duct tape was distrubing James. Uncle Bob is alive and well, working coast to coast!