Shower waste trap problem

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Discussion

rufmeister

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

121 months

Friday 26th December 2014
quotequote all
We have recently been hit with a disgusting smell from our shower in the ensuite.

Upon checking, it appears there is no water in the waste trap, as when I shine a light down the plug, there's nothing there.

Any ideas?

Don't want to rip the shower tray out if it's something that doesn't need to be done.

carreauchompeur

17,823 posts

203 months

Friday 26th December 2014
quotequote all
Er, run some water down it?

rufmeister

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

121 months

Friday 26th December 2014
quotequote all
Had numerous showers in it, shall try a bucket full.

Sorry, no ideas from me as I'm not a plumber or got any experience.

There's no signs of leaks in the room below.

Guess it could be a small leak?

badboyburt

2,043 posts

176 months

Friday 26th December 2014
quotequote all
can you not remove the shower outlet from above my flicking out the plastic grate and there should be a pull out trap where the hair/soap collects, that's probably the source of the smell.

Little Lofty

3,261 posts

150 months

Friday 26th December 2014
quotequote all
Sometimes flushing the loo sucks air and water out of traps if they are connected to the same soil pipe. Difficult to put right now. A Durgo valve or HepV0 may be needed.

Spudler

3,985 posts

195 months

Friday 26th December 2014
quotequote all
badboyburt said:
can you not remove the shower outlet from above my flicking out the plastic grate and there should be a pull out trap where the hair/soap collects, that's probably the source of the smell.
Look at this first.
Some traps you can't see the water.

rufmeister

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

121 months

Friday 26th December 2014
quotequote all
Chucked a couple of buckets down 5 minutes ago, all gone.

Flushed the adjacent loo, and could hear gargling, but I guess it's a shared waste. Going on the smell at least hurl

rufmeister

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

121 months

Friday 26th December 2014
quotequote all
Spudler said:
Look at this first.
Some traps you can't see the water.
That was my first thought as previously was blocked with hair and gunk. Nothing there this time.

Looks like I will need to remove the panelling and see if I can shine any more light on it.

barryrs

4,372 posts

222 months

Friday 26th December 2014
quotequote all
Little Lofty said:
Sometimes flushing the loo sucks air and water out of traps if they are connected to the same soil pipe. Difficult to put right now. A Durgo valve or HepV0 may be needed.
This.

You may have a concealed air admittance valve (durgo) already that's failed over time.

rufmeister

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

121 months

Friday 26th December 2014
quotequote all
barryrs said:
This.

You may have a concealed air admittance valve (durgo) already that's failed over time.
Will take a look tomorrow.

Are these valves commonly fitted in new properties? House is 7 years old and I've owned it from new.

Thanks for the advice.


Little Lofty

3,261 posts

150 months

Friday 26th December 2014
quotequote all
My house is 10 years old and has a Durgo fitted, it didn't actually work that effectively as occasionally the same thing used to happen to my shower trap. I done some work in my sons ensuite that backs onto mine last year and removed the Durgo but refitted it as it looked fine, whatever I done seemed to work as I no longer have the problem with the trap, if it hadn't worked I was going to fit a HepVo to my shower

Gingerbread Man

9,171 posts

212 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
quotequote all
Leave taking the shower apart for a second. As mentioned, it sounds like it's pulling the shower trap as it can't get air from elsewhere. Blocked vent pipe or a durgo not letting air in would be first thoughts and investigations.

rufmeister

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

121 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
quotequote all


Went up into the attic, and as soon as the hatch was opened I could smell the same smell.

Any ideas what I am looking at here? Didn't get up and in, as couldn't see too much other than what's in the image.

As I say, no experience in plumbing of this nature, so if anyone could point me in the right direction I'd appreciate it.

carreauchompeur

17,823 posts

203 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
quotequote all
If that grey/ribbed black pipe is a vent then it looks a bit skewiff so might be leaking?

rufmeister

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

121 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
quotequote all
Cheers, will get up and have a closer look.

Fastpedeller

3,844 posts

145 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
quotequote all
How long has it been doing this (no water)? A customer of mine moved into a house and had only been there a week - same problem. On close examination the previous owners had taken the chrome centre out of the trap, and removed the tube/filter for cleaning and (for whatever reason)not replaced it. Put some water down it and use the torch again - If the water goes straight away (ie isn't being syphoned out by something else being used, which is a possibility as others have suggested) then there is a part missing. If it's a macDee or similar one which you can match to, then buy a new one and just use the filter/tube out of it - otherwise you'll have the replace the complete item. The filter/tube acts as the water trap like a U bend.

rufmeister

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

121 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
quotequote all
Started a couple of weeks ago I thought it smelt bad, but didn't think too much of it, cleaned the hair and gunk away from the immediate plug area, and left it at that. The last few days it's got REAL bad.

Been up in the attic just now, and the grey/black flexi is some sort of vent for the roof space, and there is a definite flow of air coming from the White one, with a similar smell, but not overpowering. Can I assume this is the vent?

I guess the next step is taking side panels off and checking if its the U bend, or other.

Cheers for all the help this far.

rufmeister

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

121 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
quotequote all


Removed the trap, and no blockages,

A definite flow of air coming through waste pipe.

King Herald

23,501 posts

215 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
quotequote all
I'd wager something is missing inside if water runs straight out of that thing. A mentioned earlier by someone, maybe somebody removed the guts of it?

http://www.heatandplumb.com/acatalog/Just_Trays_Sh...


rufmeister

Original Poster:

1,332 posts

121 months

Saturday 27th December 2014
quotequote all
Oh wow.

Wife just came home as I am searching the net looking for solutions, with the trap out in the sink, me convinced I'm going mad as I can't see how this trap would work, and she proclaims "Do you need this bit? I took it out and cleaned it the other day."

So after head scratching, hassle, time, removing side panels, getting in loft, it's the simplest of things.

Cheers for the advice. Really appreciated.