Drains missing P-Traps?

svens

Renovating my period property and noticed some strange smells/lots of bugs. I traced it down to these two drain pipes that were installed with the extension circa 1999.

Oddly there seems to be no p-trap at all. I put my cheap snake cam down both of them and saw tons of maggots/bugs, and fed it for about 4m without ever seeing a trap. Flushed with a hose as well but saw no water settled anywhere.

Curious if anyone knows whether this is normal? I thought p-traps were required and the extension wouldn't have passed building regulation without it. So what is going on with these drains. And any idea of how I can sort it (without having to rip up the floors!).

Cheers!

grumpy_codger

Just add the traps - like the one I see in the second photo? I don't see any real problems and any need in ripping up the floor.

svens

grumpy_codger said:

Just add the traps - like the one I see in the second photo? I don't see any real problems and any need in ripping up the floor.

Yeah I'm going to just install the traps now. I was worried the trap would sit too high but I think it will be fine.

Mostly I'm curious how this was ever approved by building regs, which fairly sure requires traps for all drains.

grumpy_codger

It would be correct to cut the existing grey pipes, not the new white one. After cutting, for the pipe in the second photo I'd use a compression or push-fit elbow, not a cement weld one. If space is essential, you can turn it about 45 degrees left or right. Or even 90 if you remove some plasterboard.

And I don't think that building control is interested in such minor things. Their main concerns are structure, safety, thermal performance and damp.

stuart45

Traps need to be where you can get at them and be able to dismantle them for cleaning. They are required by Building Control. It'll be in Document H.