New York City is in the midst of updating a significant portion of its building code. Learning it can become either a monumental task or a rather enjoyable adventure. I've always favored fundamental ...

The first time you empty the P-trap on your bathroom sink, you’re likely to gag. A few times more, and you get tougher. It’s a lot like getting used to changing baby diapers. The P-trap is that curved ...

GREASE TRAP TECHNOLOGY has remained virtually unchanged since the first patent was issued to Nathaniel Whiting in 1884. It wouldn’t be until many years later that standards would be adopted to ...

Modern air admittance valves are designed to protect trap seals and maintain proper drainage—but understanding exactly what they do and how to install them correctly is key. An installed AAV under a ...

Why Houses Need Plumbing Vents (forget the soda bottle analogy) Plumbing vents prevent traps from being siphoned. The common, improper analogy is to talk about dumping a soda bottle upside down. This ...

Q: Last week, my home was inspected for the buyer. When my agent gave me the buyer’s request for repairs, one thing took me by surprise. I have lived in this home for over 20 years and never had a ...

Most of us don’t spend a lot of time thinking about our home’s plumbing system. We open a faucet, take a shower, or flush a toilet without much thought—or understanding—about how it all works. And ...

How Bad Are Drum Traps? Many older houses in Minneapolis and Saint Paul have an old style of plumbing trap called a drum trap, which is no longer allowed in Minnesota except in special circumstances.

Experts recommend weekly thorough cleaning and disinfecting of floor traps to keep sewers at bay. Floor traps or drains are plumbing fixtures installed in the floor of the bathroom, laundry room, ...