How to beat an old drum trap

Read article : How to beat an old drum trap

Q: My 1920s Ravenna home has a slow-running bathtub drain. The sink and toilet do just fine, as do the other drains in the house. I have cleaned the screen that I leave in the drain, and there is no mechanical handle or linkage to be catching hair and slowing the water down. I use a removable rubber plug when I take a bath instead.

I have tried every kind of drain cleaner known to man, and have even run a plumber's snake through via the overflow. The snake stops about 6 or 8 feet downstream.

Wanting to see what the obstruction was, I went into the unfinished basement beneath the bathroom where the snake stops. Looking up toward the tub, I saw a device a little larger than a Coke can, with one lead-colored pipe from the tub leading into it, and another on the opposite side, but higher, draining toward the main sewer drain. It looks original to the home, or at least very old.

This Coke-can thing clearly is the source of my obstruction. Coincidentally, it's located directly over the main electrical panel and has a fitting for a pipe wrench on the bottom.

Could this be a removable clean-out? Can I open it to remove the obstruction? And if so, how do I keep from electrocuting myself or getting a sewage shower — or both simultaneously?

A: Your Coke can is most definitely not drinkable; it is called a "drum trap." Drum traps are used in older buildings beneath tubs rather than the typical U-shaped P-trap you see under sinks, or newer tubs.

As a point of reference, your toilet has an internal trap (also called a trap seal). A trap is a low area in a drain that continually has water in it, thus preventing sewage smells, methane and other gases from entering the home.

In my elementary-school days, I specifically remember gas traveling through water. In the tub. Every time. So naturally, I have doubts about the presumed accuracy of the science here, but let's move on.

So, traps are the most commonly plugged area in a drain. Drum traps are not "self-cleaning" like P-traps. A modern P-trap (theoretically) flushes all the hair, dirt and other debris down the drain.

Drum traps by their very design must be cleaned manually because the pipe feeding it is below the pipe draining it. It is difficult enough to move a clog downhill through a smooth pipe, much less uphill and around a corner.

When the tub runs slowly, don rubber gloves, put a clothespin on your nose, remove the cap and pull all your composted hair and soap scum from the trap. Replace the cap and the deal is done — until it runs slowly again.

Ninety-nine out of 100 times, the clean-out for the drum trap is located in the floor of the bathroom next to, or very close to, the tub. You simply kneel on the floor to do the deed.

Occasionally, the clean-out cap gets covered by a sloppy remodel or flooring job and is no longer accessible. The clean-out for your house for some reason is mounted upside down and accessible from the basement, so maybe the plumber was a sadist.

When you pop the cap, you will get drenched in sewage, and so will the electrical panel, as you point out. I suppose you could configure some elaborate plastic sheeting contraption to protect the electric panel, the walls and the floor, cocoon yourself in a body condom and pop open your little box of stinky, but why?

Every time you get a clog, you will need to go through the same biohazard routine. Not worth it in my book.

Instead, get two helpers and have one stand with a bucket and the other hold the plumbing steady. Take a Sawzall with a metal cutting blade and hack the drum trap completely out.

Cut out all the plumbing from the base of the tub to just past the drain side of the old location of your drum trap. Then add a modern self-cleaning trap and vent. Yeah, you may want to have a plumber do this.

To follow up on another intriguing topic ...

Several weeks ago, I mentioned a cat I found in a new home's crawlspace.

Despite the best efforts of several people for hours, the cat ran, hid very well and was not located.

The builder placed a live trap in the crawl space and baited it with wet cat food. After two more days, the cat wandered toward the food and was trapped and made it out in good health.

Darrell Hay is a local home inspector and manages several rental properties. Call 206-464-8514 to record a question, or e-mail dhay@seattletimes.com. Sorry, no personal replies.

Homeowner 101: How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom

Read article : Homeowner 101: How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom

Having a clean bathroom is a strangely satisfying feeling. It’s not just having the towels hung up and the sink wiped free of toothpaste globs, but when you can see that sparkle on your countertops and in the tub and toilet that comes from a deep and thorough scrub.

If you feel the instant gratification from a shining bathroom as much as we do, read on for this easy guide for how to make your bathroom cleaner than ever before.

Cleaning Prep

If you have multiple bathrooms, tackling them one at a time is a good strategy because it keeps you focused on the room that you’re in. It’s also helpful to completely clear off your bathroom counter and your shower/bath shelves. Move all your toiletries to another room, so that you can keep your toothbrush away from chemical-based cleaning products. This also gives you a chance to throw away any empty bottles that are still in shower. Finally, take a look at your shower curtain liner—if it looks spotty, throw it in the washing machine on delicate to freshen it up and then hang it to dry.

Now that your bathroom is empty, gather your supplies and turn on a podcast or your favorite music. It’s time to clean!

Supplies

• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Toilet brush
• Sponge
• Paper towels or several cleaning rags.
• Dishwashing gloves—these are optional, but they’ll keep bathroom cleaners off your hands—especially for when you’re cleaning the toilet
• Bathroom cleaner of your choice—best bets are products that can handle multiple parts of the bathroom: countertops, sinks, and bathtubs
• Glass cleaner
• Shower cleaner: look for something that takes care of mold and mildew, to really clean the grout between shower tiles

How to Deep Clean Your Toilet

It’s best to start with the toilet so the cleaner can soak in the bowl while you clean the outside. Apply the toilet bowl cleaner inside the rim of the toilet according to the instructions on the bottle. Let it sit to clean away any residue. Close the lid and get to work on the outside.

Take a dry paper towel or rag, and wipe any dust and hair off the base of the toilet. Do the same on the top of the tank and the area between the lid and the toilet tank. Take another paper towel and spray it with the bathroom cleaner. Wipe down the outside of the toilet as many times as necessary.

Using the toilet brush, scrub the inside of the toilet, under the seat and any place there may be stubborn residue. Flush the toilet and rinse the brush. One round of toilet bowl cleaner is usually enough, but if it’s an old toilet, you may have to do two rounds. Place the toilet brush in its holder and put it away. You’re done with this part!

How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom Sink

Take the dry rag or a paper towel and wipe the bathroom counter down. This cleans off any dust, makeup streaks, or stray hairs. Then spray the bathroom sink, the faucet, and the counter with your bathroom cleaner. Let it sit according to the directions. Wipe down the counter, taking your time over any stubborn spots. Rinse the rag and then wipe the counter once more. Repeat with the faucet and the sink. Pay attention to your sink stopper, as it may need to be sprayed again with the bathroom cleaner again.

Note: If you think you have a clog, either snake your drain or use some Draino, then clean your sink.

To clean your bathroom mirror, there are two options. One is to spray the glass cleaner on a rag and then wipe down the mirror. The second is to spray the cleaner directly onto the mirror and then wipe down. Then take that paper towel and go over the faucet and handles again to take care of any streaks the bathroom cleaner left behind.

How to Deep Clean Your Bathtub and Shower

Start by spraying your shower walls with the mold and mildew cleaner, so it can work its magic while you scrub your tub. Pay attention to the corners of your shower and where the walls meet the bathtub. If you only have a shower—or if you have a shower with glass doors—let the shower cleaner sit while you enjoy a glass of water or take a quick break. Save the doors for the end, so they don’t get spotty again after you rinse your shower walls.

To clean your bathtub, spray the sides and the bottom of the tub thoroughly with the bathroom cleaner, giving extra attention to any rings that may have formed. Let the cleaner sit according to the directions on the bottle. Now take your sponge and run it under the warm water. Using the scrubbing side, scrub any stains, rings, or caked-on soap until they’re gone. It may take several attempts using the bathroom cleaner and warm water. Rinse out the sponge and use the smooth side to wash your tub a final time, making sure all residue is gone.

With your sponge, go back to your shower walls and rinse off the mold and mildew cleaner, spending time along the grout and in the corners. If your shower head is adjustable, spray it along the walls and follow with the sponge to ensure no residue remains. If you have shower doors, now is the time to clean them according to the directions. For a streak-free shine, do one pass with the shower cleaner and then follow it up with the glass cleaner.

Finish by hanging up your shower curtain and liner, replacing your toothbrush and toiletries, and giving yourself a pat on the back. You’ve just successfully deep cleaned your bathroom!

About Laura Trujillo

Laura writes for Modernize with the goal of empowering homeowners with the expert guidance and educational tools they need to take on big home projects with confidence. Laura also maintains a blog (Hello, Clementine!) as a space to share goal setting tips to help people rock their goals!