Should I call a plumber to help adjust my vanity sink faucet and p-trap, or can I attempt to do it myself despite the risk of leaking water?
Asked by Eleanor Odonoghue 
2 months ago
Last Updated: November 1, 2024
I’m in the middle of swapping out my vanity, sink, and faucets, but the ptrap isn’t quite lining up. It’s just off by about an inch to the left. The builders decided to glue everything together, instead of using the adjustable kind that I could unscrew and adjust. I’m usually pretty good with DIY, but I’m worried about the potential for leaks. Do you think I should bite the bullet and call a plumber? I looked for some guidance on YouTube, but all I found were videos showing how to work with threaded connections.
Trim and start over.
That cob job looks pretty impressive
I might need to open up the wall, cut the pipe, and replace everything. I usually install a screw connector at that spot for easier trap replacement in the future if necessary
Let’s take a look behind the wall and see what’s there
Break off the trap at the weir, then replace it from there. Piece of cake.
According to my plumber, technically speaking, that setup is not considered a trap. I learned this when I constructed a similar one. It’s recommended to purchase a trap that can be threaded together, allowing you to adjust it to fit your new sink.
Hey, it’s . Just wanted to point out that this situation qualifies as a trap. I’ve been working as a plumber for 26 years, so I know what I’m talking about.
Hey there, I’m , your friendly neighborhood plumber. Just FYI, that definitely counts as a trap. Contrary to popular belief, not all traps have to be union traps to be considered traps. Sounds like you might need to find a new plumber.
Let’s not be quick to judge, alright? I’m not a plumber, but if he had swivel connections, he could probably make it work. Right?
Socket protector
Remove, then hollow out the old fitting, apply plenty of glue and insert a new fitting, I’ve done this numerous times.
Oh man, I’m facing some of the same problems in my recently purchased home! It was rented out for two decades and the landlord did a terrible job with pretty much everything, even resorting to gluing the drain pipes. You may need to open up some drywall, cut the PVC pipe, and swap it out with the right piping. Plumbing is definitely not my favorite DIY project. Best of luck. Hopefully someone else has a good idea.
I managed to cut mine, but luckily I had a bit more material to work with from the wall.
This is the reason why you should avoid using solvent weld p traps for the final touches. It should be tubular. You can cut it right after the trap 90. Remove any debris on the pipe. Attach the trap adapter using glue, and then install the tubular p trap. – experienced plumber with 26 years in the field
My advice would be to just saw it off and give it a shot yourself. If there are leaks or you can’t get it right, then maybe consider calling a plumber. It’s worth a try!
Hey, I’m a plumber. Can someone explain what’s happening between the street 45 and trap 90? Personally, I would recommend cutting right behind the hub of the trap 90 and hoping for clean pipe under that drywall mud. With luck, you should have enough pipe to attach a trap adapter and go from there.
I would suggest cutting it about an inch after the initial fitting out of the wall and then installing the correct p trap.
Upon closer inspection of the picture, it seems there is excessive plumbers putty on the back joints. If you’re concerned about leaks, it may be best to redo the entire setup. Just a suggestion.
It appears that you’re about to begin working on the wall. Apologies.
Cutting into the wall at a 45° angle to install a trap adaptor.
Wow, this is a disaster! If it’s drywall, I would suggest cutting a hole and removing the entire damaged section to begin anew.
Trim it down and swap it out
Cut along the line. Grab a socket saver. Then attach the trap adapter.
I really appreciate the guidelines you provided. I had a similar idea based on the feedback, and this just adds to my confidence to give it a shot.
Hey, do you know what that stuff is on the red line? Plus, someone made a mess because it’s leaking. The connection downstream seems uneven and sloping. Do you think the whole setup will come loose from the wall? I might have to use a drywall saw or a worm cam to peek behind it. It would be a shame if the new vanity got damaged, especially since most modern cabinets have hidden backs.
Thanks a lot for your helpful tips! It seemed chaotic to me as well but I’m not experienced in changing vanities, so I wasn’t certain.
Consider it a blessing that they are not threaded, as the glued ones are less likely to leak. The glue fuses the plastic surface together, creating a single piece. Trim where necessary, test fit the new pieces, and then secure them with glue.
You may have to trim it to make it fit the new fixture. It’s uncommon for old pipes to align perfectly with new fixtures.
I’m facing a similar issue, but the pipe coming out of the wall is brass. What do I need to connect to a brass pipe?
Hey Stephen, the brass piece is most likely just a tailpiece. Do you see a nut on the wall? If there is one, try loosening it and using a PVC hub adapter.
I will review tomorrow, thank you
Screwing the pieces on can result in leaks and is not ideal. I agree with Bradley’s suggestion, as it is accurate and worth following.
To remove the trap, try putting a heat gun on the second joint from the wall and give it a twist. It should come right off.
Can handle this👆
Hey, don’t stress about it. Just go ahead and use a flexible tailpiece.
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Plumber-352-468-Lavatory-Extension/dp/B000BODTH6/ref=asc_df_B000BODTH6
May offer these for sale, but these pipes are not approved for use.
Not illegal. Against regulations, sure. But hey, I’d install one of these on a bathroom sink without hesitation. It should function well and last as long as the vanity. However, it’s a different situation with a kitchen sink.
Okay, maybe not the best choice of words, but they really should be up to code. They’re subpar. In this area, you’d likely fail your inspection if you have a flex pipe.
That particular item is not up to code. They do use them in RVs for grey water collection. You could potentially use it outside on your own house laundry tray, but the lint from your washing machine might get caught on the accordion-like folds. Plus, being thinner, it will become brittle in the UV rays of the sun more quickly.
Once again, they’re not technically ‘illegal,’ just not up to code. Back in my days at the apartment complex 20 years ago, we had them on bathroom sinks in many units. I’m willing to bet they’re still working just fine.
You’re right. It’s not technically “illegal”, just not up to code. If you wait until you sell the house, an inspector will flag it, and you’ll end up paying to fix it anyway. Why not take care of it now? Consider hiring a plumber.
I don’t think many home inspectors would notice or care to check under the bathroom sink. Should you hire a plumber for this simple DIY job? Haha, seems like you might be in the wrong group.
I appreciate your suggestion to replace it. Remember, we all have to start somewhere, which is why I came to this group for guidance.
I was actually responding to someone who suggested hiring a plumber in a previous comment. The main focus of this group is on DIY projects. Whether you decide to redo the glued pipes (by cutting right before the trap 90 and using a trap adapter before an adjustable trap) or opt for the flexible tailpiece to quickly get things up and running again, this is well within your capabilities. Best of luck!
Trust me, I’ve bought and sold more than six houses in my life. An inspector will definitely catch this issue. Maybe the new owner will let it slide, but rest assured it will be noticed. Since it’s solvent welded to a pipe within the wall (and part of the stack), this might not be the best project for a DIY enthusiast who needs to ask about it in the first place.
You seem to have more confidence in home inspectors than me. I’ve witnessed them overlook serious code violations, but hey, anyone can put together PVC pipes after watching a few YouTube videos. I used to be the maintenance supervisor of an apartment complex, and I was able to teach clueless college kids how to do these tasks in just 5 minutes. Basic home plumbing is perfect for a little DIY, which is exactly what this group is all about.
It’s crucial in any DIY project to know your limits. Trying to hack into a welded stack hidden inside a wall? That’s definitely not a task for a beginner.
: You never know what’s hiding behind that wall, but there’s no need to tear it down. Some have already shared simpler solutions. I proposed the simplest one. And we shouldn’t underestimate someone’s abilities, comfort level, or resourcefulness. Experience is the best teacher. The most unhelpful advice in this group is simply saying “hire a professional.”
Another suggestion is to cut and replace. The optimal solution is to install your sink first and then glue everything together. This method will ensure that you never encounter any issues. While screwing the pieces together can work, the risk of leaks tends to rise over time. It’s advisable to steer clear of the flex tailpiece, as it is best suited for temporary fixes only.
When you need to call a plumber, the correct way to do it is to open the wall and turn the San tee. Remember, you should only have one fitting, like a 45, between the wall and the trap because the trap itself moves. Keep in mind that there are provisions for ADA exceptions, though.
What worries me the most is the huge amount of plumber’s putty on that joint near the wall. It looks like it’s not sealed properly and might be leaking. Try scraping off the putty and check if you can remove that section easily.
Seriously, just watch a few videos on gluing PVC. If you’re comfortable, give it a shot. If it seems too much, then call a plumber.
Whoa, are you seriously using the sink for number 2’s? An inch and a half for a sink trap is no joke!
Also, if the water inlet isn’t a newer 1/4 turn, it’s likely to leak eventually or might leak once you turn it on again. I’ve unfortunately been through that a few times.
I faced the same problem when I purchased my house and recently worked on the sink. Everything was glued and had all these bends instead of the usual hand-tight P traps.
I cut exactly where most people recommended and got the right pipe to dry fit everything.
I would suggest going to an independent plumbing supply store instead of Home Depot or Lowe’s. In my past experiences, they both carry different plumbing supplies and sometimes don’t have the right size in stock. Plus, getting help is a struggle haha. The smaller stores will guide you to the correct pieces as well.
I had to make three separate trips, so I vow never to shop there again for plumbing needs.
Swap it all out with the correct materials…. thread a P trap that easily slots into the wall. Who even does this kind of thing???