# Plumbers- what is this device? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 17, 2024, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671 "2024-05-17T03:36:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/1 "2024-05-17T03:36:49Z")
I had to go into the crawl space on a house we just bought. It’s a mess. I noticed this odd plumbing fixture. I’ve never seen one before- is it some type of trap, with a drain plug? It appears to attach to a bathtub drain. The object I’m curious about is on the very left side of the picture: [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/ZNNEDsu.jpeg?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/cKgpy0p) ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/2 "2024-05-17T03:41:09Z")
[Drum trap](https://www.google.com/search?q=drum+trap+&newwindow=1&sca_esv=17f8a8f7a4f95661&sca_upv=1&udm=2&biw=1227&bih=597&ei=StFGZsmHCc2t5NoPys2ZiAE&ved=0ahUKEwjJ1Ia44ZOGAxXNFlkFHcpmBhEQ4dUDCBE&uact=5&oq=drum+trap+&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiCmRydW0gdHJhcCAyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAEMgUQABiABDIFEAAYgAQyBRAAGIAESMYnUABY2yRwAHgAkAEAmAFJoAHeAqoBATa4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgOgAsYBwgIIEAAYBxgIGB6YAwCSBwEzoAfsCA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp). [![](https://catalog.nibco.com/Asset/891.jpg) ](https://catalog.nibco.com/Asset/891.jpg) > **[Material Number E595250, 3 x 6 DWV Swivel Drum Trap C x C x Cleanout with Plug...](https://catalog.nibco.com/item/metal-dwv-fittings/ivel-drum-trap-c-x-c-x-cleanout-with-plug-cast-891/e595250)** > > Browse Material Number E595250, 3 x 6 DWV Swivel Drum Trap C x C x Cleanout with Plug - Cast, 891 in the NIBCO catalog including Material Number,UPC Code,Description,eClass Classification,All Type of Item,All Special Application,Nominal Size 1,Nomina ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/3 "2024-05-17T03:56:59Z")
Thanks. I guess the reason I’ve never seen one is because they have been de-listed, for the most part. The drains seem to work OK, but if I have a problem, I’m going to call a plumber - I’m not interested in opening up that cleanout… As an aside - this house has copper drain pipes (!). Copper must have been cheap back in 1959, I would have thought they would be cast iron. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/4 "2024-05-17T04:10:31Z")
We had one replaced when we did a remodel on our bathroom. Our plumber said it was probably code when it was installed (incorrectly as it turns out) but wouldn’t pass inspection today. We repaced all that cast iron with PVC. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/5 "2024-05-17T05:29:27Z")
It is also upside down… ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/6 "2024-05-17T06:14:59Z")
Any advice on how to open it? Mine is stuck. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/7 "2024-05-17T11:06:21Z")
Thank you for informing me about drum traps. I had a nice adventure learning about them with my 6am coffee. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/8 "2024-05-17T11:11:03Z")
Heat? ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/9 "2024-05-17T11:36:11Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Any advice on how to open it? Mine is stuck. First ask yourself why you want or need to open it? If it’s full of crud, and draining poorly, you will be very lucky to manage to remove the cleanout plug without damaging the trap, and even luckier to get the threads clean enough to seal well again. If it’s NOT full of crud, and draining ok, leave well enough alone. If a diamond ring went down the tub drain, it’s worth the expense to cut it out and replace with a code-approved modern trap. Or cut a few corners and replace with a PVC drum trap with a couple of no-hub clamp connectors. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/10 "2024-05-17T12:04:48Z")
Same here – we had two drum traps replaced in our house. They’re very common here in Chicago, at least with the older houses. The plumbers absolutely hate them. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/11 "2024-05-17T13:24:08Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > It is also upside down… So was ours. When our plumber inspected things before the job he just laughed. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/12 "2024-05-17T13:56:48Z")
> [@vbob](#): > > If it’s full of crud, and draining poorly Yes. I take a shower and it fills up with about 3 inches of water (this with the drain open)–and then takes a few hours to drain. I have a strainer at the top to catch hair. What alternatives are there to clear out the crud? Chemicals? ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/13 "2024-05-17T14:30:57Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Chemicals? Oh, heavens. I wouldn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Tride](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tride/32/13907_2.png) [@Tride](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tride)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/14 "2024-05-17T14:41:54Z")
It’s likely chock full of goo, hair and other disgusting stuff. Draino probably won’t cut it and might damage the copper. It’s actually a pretty quick job to replace it with PVC since it’s exposed. Know the 2 rules of plumbing? Shit flows downhill. And don’t chew your fingernails. ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/15 "2024-05-17T15:03:02Z")
> [@Tride](#): > > Know the 2 rules of plumbing? Shit flows downhill. And don’t chew your fingernails. No worse than changing diapers, AND there’s no screaming baby. ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/16 "2024-05-17T15:06:16Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > What alternatives are there to clear out the crud? A wet vac can help, particularly if you can disturb the goo with a long plastic zip tie, or similar flexible probe. Chemicals rarely help, can corrode the pipes to a point where a plumber is required, and then be dangerous for the plumber to work with. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/17 "2024-05-17T17:57:33Z")
In my experience, shower drains always get hair clogs even when there is a strainer at the top. I periodically use something like [this](https://www.amazon.com/FlexiSnake-Drain-Weasel-Sink-Snake/dp/B01NB0729G) or [this](https://www.amazon.com/Grabber-Remover-Kitchen-Bathroom-Cleaning/dp/B07RMHNHYC) to reach down the drain and grab the hair and pull it out. I would try and see how well it works before messing around with the drum trap. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/18 "2024-05-17T18:07:41Z")
> [@vbob](#): > > A wet vac can help, You might need to use smaller tubing to get down in there. Just tape it to the wet vac hose with duct tape. Don’t need to get fancy with adapters. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/19 "2024-05-17T18:19:25Z")
We had two in our 1949 vintage home when we bought it 10 years ago. We had them replaced at the time and the plumber (working alone) dropped one on our basement floor gouging a significant hole in the concrete floor. They are heavy. ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671/20 "2024-05-17T18:22:51Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Don’t need to get fancy with adapters. In my experience, just the reverse suction at the drain inlet helps dislodge the crud - some gets sucked up, the rest goes down - it’s not like the drain needs to be ‘clean’ - just not clogged… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plumbers-what-is-this-device/1001671.md?page=2)