Plumbing Code Service Call

Today, we went out to repair a "leaky drain" on a kitchen sink.
A quick repair .... right?

And here is what we found.

 What is wrong (according to the Canadian Plumbing Code) with PHOTO #1?
(aside from the attempts by silicone to repair the right drain)
1.   The Dishwasher (white hose between drains) connection to the drain is not protected by a p-trap.
2.    There are 2 separate traps for one sink without a vent between (actually you only need one p-trap).
3.   The "collective trap(s) arm drops more than its pipe diameter which means that we could lose trap seal.  Trap seal is essential to keep sewer gases (that could kill you and your family) out of your home.
4.  The second drain is on the branch of a "Wye" and it is "back grading" which means water and waste must go "uphill" before it goes down hill.

 So we informed that customer that their leaky drain was NOT meeting Plumbing Code.  We stripped the whole drain piping under the sink and replaced the Kitchen basket strainer drain on the right (which originally had all of the silicone on it).

Drain piping is installed using industry standards (a continuous waste is utilized so that we can protect the 2 sinks and dishwasher with one p-trap).


This situation shows you that:

1.  You need to check your plumber's credentials (Is he/she an Alberta Certified Journeyman Plumber?  Get them to show you their Alberta Journeyman Plumber wallet card).

2.  Try to check your plumber out.  Not every Journeyman Plumber follows good plumbing practices.  Google your plumber's name.  Google the plumbing company he is working for.  See what kind of reviews they have been getting.  Check his resume if he is contracting on his own.  He would have to have been employed as an apprentice by someone.

3.  Don't try to force your plumber to break the rules.  This could have been the case here.  The fittings were neatly put together, but they were neatly put together wrong.  Maybe the builder for which he was working wanted "more cupboard space" under the sink?  Who knows what the motivations were.  The end result is that the original installation was wrong according to the plumbing code which means that it was unsafe for the occupants.  As well, performance of the drainage system was impeded (back grading drains).

4.  A Plumbing Inspector would not have checked this because changing a fixture doesn't require a permit.  Imagine if you hired the plumber, who did the work in picture #1, to do something that required a permit (any new piping in the walls or floor for new fixtures).  Then imagine that you "convinced" him not to apply for a permit.  So he does his work.  It looks neat.  It gets covered.  But he "back graded" some of his pipe and he did not vent the drainage properly.  Now you are wondering why your drain is always "slow" or "clogged".  And you are wondering what that smell is?


 Just something to think about next time you call a plumber.


Thank you for reading,

Jay Bortnik
Journeyman Jay Plumbing
Providing Free Written Estimates in North Edmonton
780-266-3939