Bath tub trap leaks

[Stan]

Hello,

I, as a renter, live in a very old house. When some inches of water are in the bath tub, leaking is occurring probably or surely from the trap under the tub and right by the tub drain. [One can see this trap from the pipe access-work area. The trap - a tank-like thing- is smaller in size than a coffee can.]

The small trap has an integrated hex nut on the shiny top. [In the early 90s when there was no leakage, I tried to remove the top but it wouldn't budge.] A friend told me a few days ago that this shiny lid on the trap is made of cheap metal and has to be busted to get it off. [He had this same problem, pounded on the top to destroy his trap lid, and bought some $7 rubber type item to go into the top of his small trap.] I'm a bit concerned about just pounding on the thing to get it off. [The access area is not large and it's difficult to move a large wrench around in there.]

My landlord is cheap and refuses to fix this thing. I'm worried about the leakage (which causes drain water to fall on the table in the kitchen which is directly below the bath tub) because of ancient wires I see under the tub. I'm worried that the leakage might cause my housemate or me to be electrocuted.

Is it easy to repair this trap? Does one just take a hefty hammer to the lid to bust it up? If nothing else is hit, will this pounding adversely affect or damage nearby plumbing?

Thanks.

Stan

[jim]

why not let it dry off and then clean it off real good with a wire brush or something similar and then paint it with some sealer/ even a can of spay on rubberized car undercoating will work.. there is no pressure on the drain/trap so it will not take much to hold the leak... and then let the owner who does not want to fix it worry years later when the floor rots out.. i would leave it leak and just move the table over if that is the way the landlord wants it.....

[Speedy Jim]

I agree with the other Jim; do as little as possible since this is not your property. At the worst, banging on the drum trap can easily cause rusted out galv piping to break off or leak. Then you'd be in a real pickle.

If you *must* remove the drum trap cover, it's true that they are often badly corroded on and one must resort to force. If this cover really is thin and not cast brass, a very sharp cold chisel will allow you to cut the top open. After that it can be crushed which will allow it to be unscrewed.

If sealant doesn't fix it, put an aluminum turkey pan under the drum. Water will drip in there and, hopefully, evaporate.

Jim

[barry martin]

Stan:

S > I, as a renter, live in a very old house. When some inches of water S > are in the bath tub, leaking is occurring probably or surely from the S > trap under the tub and right by the tub drain. [One can see this trap S > from the pipe access-work area. The trap - a tank-like thing- is S > smaller in size than a coffee can.]

I agree with the others saying not to do your own plumbing work on rental property. It is the responsibility of the landlord. Unfortunately for you he is being cheap, causing you inconvenience (water dripping). You will sort of get the last laugh because the longer he waits to do the repair the more damage is being done. I would suggest to report in writing (and keeping a copy) the leak. Do not list you have made any attempts to remove the cap as this could be turned around to make it appear you caused the leakage. You could also state you verbally reported the leak on/about such-and-such date.

The use of a container of some sort to catch the leak is a good idea

-- at least will protect your table.

One concern I have is "when some inches of water are in the bath tub, leaking is occurring". Is this when the drain is closed or due to standing water (slow drain)? If when the drain is closed there is probably another problem. If a slow drain the problem is probably due to a clog after the trap (water is backing up into the trap, backing into the tub). I would probably use a plunger to clear the clog (wet rag around the tub's overflow).

BTW, this leakage at the trap has taken years to occur. The trap at my parent's place was installed up-side down -- yes, the cover was at the bottom! It sometimes dripped into the sink in the basement. Know they replaced the trap when they remodeled.

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[Stan]

I think it's just a slow drain. I very rarely take a bath (just shower), but two Fridays ago I took a bath after putting in a new old-fashioned type tub plug. After draining the tub and going downstairs, I found the kitchen table just flooded with water! This much water on the table had never happened before though it was certainly due to the bath I took. [And I didn't get any water on the floor by the tub.]

I'll try the plunger. [I know that nasty looking black crap and hair have come up into the standing water when I've done plunging before. The outflow from the tub is improved after plunging.]

Stan

[default]

Out of curiosity, are you sure that the tub overflow is actually connected? We've heard cases here before where only the drain itself was hooked up.

[barry martin]

Hi Stan!

S > > S > I, as a renter, live in a very old house. S > > One concern I have is "when some inches of water are in the bath tub, S > > leaking is occurring". Is this when the drain is closed or due to S > > standing water (slow drain)? S > S > I think it's just a slow drain. I very rarely take a bath (just

Euwwww!

S > shower), but two Fridays ago I took a bath after putting in a new

(Whew!)

S > old-fashioned type tub plug. After draining the tub and going S > downstairs, I found the kitchen table just flooded with water! This S > much water on the table had never happened before though it was S > certainly due to the bath I took. [And I didn't get any water on the S > floor by the tub.]

Sorry - couldn't resist the silly comments! What I'm thinking is under normal circumstances -- taking a shower -- the drainpipe is capable of draining off the shower water. When you took the bath there was a lot more water coming through the drainpipe, which backed up somewhat due to a clog and exited through the rusted holes in the cleanout (and possibly elsewhere).

Might need to fill the tub some then use a flashlight to note the leaks. Be sure to check the drain hole at the bottom of the tub and any soldered joints. The pipe itself can develop leaks (perforations).

S > > If when the drain is closed there is S > > probably another problem. If a slow drain the problem is probably due S > > to a clog after the trap (water is backing up into the trap, backing S > > into the tub). I would probably use a plunger to clear the clog (wet S > > rag around the tub's overflow). S > S > I'll try the plunger. [I know that nasty looking black crap and hair S > have come up into the standing water when I've done plunging before. S > The outflow from the tub is improved after plunging.]

Also try running HOT water after the plunging. ...BTW, don't forget to put a bucket on your kitchen table to catch the drips!

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[Stan]

Yes, the overflow is connnected to the drain.

Two days ago I called the housing inspector in my city. He came over yesterday and said he's ordering the landlord to fix this problem.

Stan

[barry martin]

Hi Stan!

S > Two days ago I called the housing inspector in my city. He came over S > yesterday and said he's ordering the landlord to fix this problem.

That'll fix the ol' Tight-wad! (So how's looking for the new place going now that you've been kicked out? )

- ¯ barry.martinþATþthesafebbs.zeppole.com ®

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