Need Help with plumbing problem, please. House has a septic system & doesn't have p-traps. Is this right?
I had this home inspected by a home inspector and he did not mention anything about the lack of p-traps. I have not had a home that has a septic system before so I thought that the no p-trap thing was probably OK, but did not know. Occasionally we have sewer whiffs of smell from drains and now only the hall bathroom has a mold/mildew smell coming out of the sink and tub drains. The tub has an overflow and the sink does not have an overflow. The master bath set-up is the same as the hall bath, the basement bathroom sink has no p-trap and no overflow. There is a toilet in that bath also. If I go out in the garage I can see a p-trap from under the master bedroom bath area tub. The roof vent is also right between the hall and master bedroom. There is not a roof vent by the kitchen area (15 or more feet from baths) and that is where we get the sewer whiffs (not very often). Do I need to put in p-traps? Is the one roof vent OK? Any cause for mold smell? I have checked for leaks from tubs and sinks etc. Please help!
septicgenius.com2009-04-28T05:46:08Z
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In some older home a "house P-Trap" was installed. The lack of p-trap at a sink w/o a whole house p-trap would make the home unlivable. My guess is you have a house trap. A home only needs one vent. The mold smell is a tough one could be many sources. Wiffs of septic smell is also tough, but is usually a breach in venting. Good Luck.
I generally stay as far away from lawyers as possible, however this is a situation where you should at least consult with one. Start by having a licensed plumber inspect the plumbing in your house, not in anticipation that he is going to be the one fixing the problem, but because you need to have someone that absolutely knows what he is or is not looking at. Explain this to him and make it clear that you only want a written report and a rough estimate from him for now. Then find a lawyer and let him figure out who is going to pay for the repair. Someone totally blew the home inspection or covered up a major problem that absolutely has to be fixed. Whether is going to be payed for by the inspector, the realtor, the previous owner , or the builder, will probably be decided by a judge. After all is said and done it should not cost you anything, but some of your time, and you might be able to get reimbursed for all of your out of pocked expenditures From your description it sounds like the drain system in the house is going to have to be completely redone, especially regarding p-traps and vents.
My house was the same way when I bought it, a complete rookie did your plumbing, your home inspector is also a rookie or works for the reality company, you need the traps on every fixture, it stops the sewer gases from entering your home, there is also cheater vents that you can install above the fixtures that have no vent, Your plumbing would not pass building code if inspected.
Yes, you DO need to install P-traps on ALL drains, including floor drains, even if you have to "bust concrete" to install the floor drains.
Sewage systems ALL generate nasty smelling gasses, including Hydrogen Sulfide [toxic], and others, and also EXPLOSIVE gasses [IF collect in adequate concentration].
Most local governmental agencies around the world have health codes[laws] which require the installation of P-traps. I can't imagine how your house got approved for occupancy without a plumbing inspection and final approval.
Without a whole lot of handyman skills, AND a whole lot of code studying, I recommend that you have this done by a reputable, licensed, professional Plumbing Contractor.
I suggest you get inspection and bids from 3 to 5 of your local licensed Professional Plumbers.