Are you tired of dealing with slow draining water in your bathtub?
It might be time to install a new P-trap.
While it may seem like a daunting task, with the right tools and instructions, it can be done easily and efficiently.
In this article, we will guide you through the steps to install a bathtub drain P-trap, including how to cut and fit PVC pipes, and how to properly glue them together.
By the end of this article, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to tackle this DIY project and enjoy a smoothly running bathtub drain.
So, let’s get started!
How To Install A Bathtub Drain P-trap
Step 1: Prepare the area
Before beginning any plumbing project, it’s important to turn off the water supply to the bathtub. This can usually be done by turning off the water valve located near the bathtub.
Next, remove any excess water from the bathtub and surrounding area.
Step 2: Remove the old P-trap
Using a reciprocating saw fitted with a metal-cutting blade, carefully cut out the old iron drum trap. Be sure to wear protective gear such as gloves and goggles while doing this.
Once the old trap is removed, use two large pipe wrenches to loosen the old threaded adapter that’s attached to the existing drain line. Use one wrench to hold the pipe and the other to turn the adapter. Once it’s loose, remove the adapter with pliers.
Step 3: Install the new P-trap
Brush pipe dope onto the threads of a PVC male adapter, then wrap the threads with single-strand wicking to provide extra protection against water leaks. Insert the male adapter into the existing iron fitting and tighten it with pliers.
Apply pipe dope and wicking to the existing iron male fitting, then install a threaded PVC female adapter, tightening it with pliers.
Wrap plumbing tape around the threaded outlet of the bathtub drain and screw on a 1 1/2-inch PVC female threaded adapter. Tighten it with adjustable pliers. This fitting has a slip connection on the other end.
Cut a 4-inch nipple from PVC pipe with a hacksaw, deburr the edges with a file, and fit it inside. Don’t glue any pipes until you have completed the trap assembly.
Step 4: Dry fit and mark alignment
Dry fit (no glue) all of the PVC pipes and fittings together to ensure they fit properly. Measure the last piece of PVC pipe and cut it to size using a PVC cutter or hacksaw. Use a pocket knife to scrape off any rough burrs from the just-cut end of the PVC pipe.
Dry fit all of the parts one final time, then use an indelible marker to draw alignment marks onto the pipes and fittings.
Step 5: Glue everything together
Disassemble all of the PVC pipes and fittings, then clean them with PVC primer. Permanently glue together all of the pipes and fittings with PVC cement, making sure you line up the marks drawn earlier in Step 4.
Step 6: Test for leaks
Once everything is glued together, turn on the water supply and let it run for a few minutes. Check for any leaks around the new P-trap assembly. If there are no leaks, congratulations! You have successfully installed a new bathtub drain P-trap.
Gather Your Tools And Materials
To install a bathtub drain P-trap, you will need the following tools and materials:
– Reciprocating saw with metal-cutting blade
– Two large pipe wrenches
– Pliers
– PVC male adapter
– Single-strand wicking
– Pipe dope
– Threaded PVC female adapter
– Plumbing tape
– 1 1/2-inch PVC female threaded adapter
– 4-inch nipple from PVC pipe
– Hacksaw or PVC cutter
– Pocket knife
– Indelible marker
– PVC primer
– PVC cement
Make sure you have all of these tools and materials before starting the installation process. It’s important to use the right tools and materials to ensure a proper and leak-free installation.
Remove The Old P-Trap
To remove the old P-trap, start by placing a bucket or bowl underneath the trap to catch any spillage. Then, using slip-joint pliers, loosen the nuts that hold the trap bend in place. Once the nuts are loosened, the bend should slide off easily. If it doesn’t, wiggle it gently until it becomes loose.
Next, loosen the nut that holds the trap arm in place and slide off the trap arm from the drain opening. Again, wiggle it gently if necessary. Keep all of the parts you have removed aside.
It’s important to note that if you’re working with an old iron drum trap, you’ll need to use a reciprocating saw fitted with a metal-cutting blade to carefully cut it out. Be sure to wear protective gear such as gloves and goggles while doing this.
Once the old trap is removed, use two large pipe wrenches to loosen the old threaded adapter that’s attached to the existing drain line. Use one wrench to hold the pipe and the other to turn the adapter. Once it’s loose, remove the adapter with pliers.
With the old P-trap removed, you can move on to installing the new one.
Measure And Cut The PVC Pipes
The next step in installing a bathtub drain P-trap is to measure and cut the PVC pipes. It’s important to note that the measurement you’ll be taking is a horizontal measurement, not a vertical measurement. This measurement will help you determine the length of the PVC tubing needed to send water down to the Y fitting, which in turn gets sent to the wastewater pipe.
Using a hacksaw, cut a piece of PVC tubing to the same length as your horizontal measurement. This will be the tube that sends water down to the Y fitting.
It’s important to keep in mind that there’s a good chance you may need additional fittings to navigate around obstacles in your shower area. If that’s the case, you may need to include the measurements for the curved PVC fittings in your main measurement.
Once you have all of your PVC pipes and fittings measured and cut, it’s time for a dry fit. Dry fit all of the parts together one final time to ensure they fit properly. Use an indelible marker to draw alignment marks onto the pipes and fittings so that you can easily put them back together after disassembling them.
After dry fitting, disassemble all of the PVC pipes and fittings and clean them with PVC primer. Once cleaned, permanently glue all of the pipes and fittings together with PVC cement, making sure you line up the marks drawn earlier in the dry fit process.
Finally, turn on the water supply and let it run for a few minutes. Check for any leaks around the new P-trap assembly. If there are no leaks, congratulations! You have successfully installed a new bathtub drain P-trap.
Fit The PVC Pipes Together
Now that you have all of the necessary pieces for your new P-trap, it’s time to fit them all together.
Start by dry fitting (without glue) all of the PVC pipes and fittings together to ensure they fit properly. This will give you a chance to make any necessary adjustments before you glue everything together.
Measure the last piece of PVC pipe and cut it to size using a PVC cutter or hacksaw. Use a pocket knife to scrape off any rough burrs from the just-cut end of the PVC pipe.
Once you’ve dry fitted everything together, use an indelible marker to draw alignment marks onto the pipes and fittings. This will help you keep everything in the correct position when you glue it all together.
Disassemble all of the PVC pipes and fittings, then clean them with PVC primer. This will help ensure a strong bond when you glue everything together.
Permanently glue together all of the pipes and fittings with PVC cement, making sure you line up the marks drawn earlier in Step 2. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the cement and allow adequate drying time before testing for leaks.
Once everything is glued together, turn on the water supply and let it run for a few minutes. Check for any leaks around the new P-trap assembly. If there are no leaks, congratulations! You have successfully installed a new bathtub drain P-trap.
Install The New P-Trap
Now that you have removed the old P-trap, it’s time to install the new one. Here’s how:
1. Brush pipe dope onto the threads of a PVC male adapter, then wrap the threads with single-strand wicking to provide extra protection against water leaks. Insert the male adapter into the existing iron fitting and tighten it with pliers.
2. Apply pipe dope and wicking to the existing iron male fitting, then install a threaded PVC female adapter, tightening it with pliers.
3. Wrap plumbing tape around the threaded outlet of the bathtub drain and screw on a 1 1/2-inch PVC female threaded adapter. Tighten it with adjustable pliers. This fitting has a slip connection on the other end.
4. Cut a 4-inch nipple from PVC pipe with a hacksaw, deburr the edges with a file, and fit it inside. Don’t glue any pipes until you have completed the trap assembly.
5. Dry fit (no glue) all of the PVC pipes and fittings together to ensure they fit properly. Measure the last piece of PVC pipe and cut it to size using a PVC cutter or hacksaw. Use a pocket knife to scrape off any rough burrs from the just-cut end of the PVC pipe.
6. Dry fit all of the parts one final time, then use an indelible marker to draw alignment marks onto the pipes and fittings.
7. Disassemble all of the PVC pipes and fittings, then clean them with PVC primer. Permanently glue together all of the pipes and fittings with PVC cement, making sure you line up the marks drawn earlier in Step 6.
8. Once everything is glued together, turn on the water supply and let it run for a few minutes. Check for any leaks around the new P-trap assembly. If there are no leaks, congratulations! You have successfully installed a new bathtub drain P-trap.