Not the Way to Plumb a Drain

[silverloaf]

I did a drain system leak test. I found a leak in the kitchen sink plumbing at a fitting joint.

I noticed something odd while removing the plumbing for replacement. If you look at the pictures, you will notice a "T" fitting that connects the horizontal pipe from the sink to the vertical pipe leading to the gray tank.

Called a sanitary tee, it contains a built-in slope to direct water smoothly toward the tank. If you look closely, you will notice the tee is installed upside down. Rather than drain water flowing downward, the water has to go up first before it goes down.

This can result in slow drainage and/or a build-up of sink by-products in some applications. Of course, all this will all be straightened out when I re-pipe the drain.

From all appearances, the upside down tee was built this way during our trailer's construction in 1987 (88 model). In this instance, someone at Avion didn't know their ups from their downs.There might be others out there like this.

So, if you are experiencing some slow drainage in your kitchen sink (or bath tub/shower), here's a place to look.

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[Razorback]

That's some good information. I'll look at mine when I get a chance. Mine seems to drain well, though.

I am having trouble seeing the picture well enough without it getting grainy, but I can picture in my head what you described.

Can you get a closer picture of the "T"?

[silverloaf]

Here's a pic of a sanitary tee. This the way is it to be installed with the slope pointing downward.

Now picture the tee inverted so the slope points upward.

This is what my plumbing pics are trying to convey.

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[Razorback]

Yep, that’s what I had in my mind’s eye.