“I’ve seen folks go that route, then curse every time there’s a clog and they have to call me with a backhoe.”
That’s the part people forget. Underground traps look tidy, but when they back up, you’re not just grabbing a wrench—you’re calling in heavy equipment. Under-sink traps might be a pain under the counter, but at least you can clear them out yourself most of the time. Unless you’re running a big commercial kitchen, I’d stick with something you can actually reach without tearing up concrete.
I’ve had to dig up more than a few underground traps, and trust me, nobody’s happy about it—not the owner, not the crew, not even the neighbors if it gets messy. The only time I’d say go underground is if you’re dealing with a huge volume and have no other choice. Otherwise, under-sink traps are just so much easier to keep an eye on. Ever tried clearing a clog at 2am? You’ll be glad it’s right there under the counter.
Couldn’t agree more about the headaches with underground traps. I get that they’re sometimes necessary for big operations, but for a regular kitchen? No way. I’d rather deal with a little mess under the sink than pay for someone to jackhammer my patio if something goes wrong. Plus, you can actually see if there’s a leak or buildup before it turns into a disaster. I’m all about keeping things simple and safe, especially when it comes to plumbing—those repair bills add up fast.
- Gotta say, I’ve seen way too many horror stories with underground traps.
- Sure, they look tidy at first, but when something clogs up? Suddenly you’re playing “find the leak” with a sledgehammer.
- Under-sink traps might be messier, but at least you can poke your head in and see what’s up.
- Only exception I’d make is if you’re running a kitchen that’s cranking out fried food 24/7… then maybe underground makes sense.
- For most folks, keep it simple—less drama, less cash down the drain (literally).
- Gotta admit, I’m with you on the “less drama” part. I’ve seen neighbors dig up half their patio just to chase a mystery leak. Not exactly my idea of a fun weekend.
- Here’s my two cents:
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“Under-sink traps might be messier, but at least you can poke your head in and see what’s up.”
This is huge for me. I’d rather deal with a little gunk under the sink than have to call in a backhoe every time something smells funky.
- I’m always thinking about what’s easiest to maintain. If I can’t fix it myself, it’s probably not the right fit for my house.
- Plus, with an under-sink trap, you can actually see what’s going down the drain. Makes it easier to catch stuff before it becomes a problem (or before you accidentally compost a spoon).
- That said, I do wonder about the environmental side. Is there any difference in how much grease ends up in the sewer with one vs. the other? I’ve read that some underground systems are better at separating out the nasties, but if you can’t check them easily, does it even matter?
- Also, I’m not running a deep fryer marathon at home. If I was, maybe I’d think differently. But for the average kitchen, I’d rather keep things simple and visible.
- Last thing—does anyone actually enjoy cleaning these things? I’ve tried every “eco-friendly” degreaser out there, and it’s still a gross job. At least with the under-sink version, I can get it over with quick and move on.
- Anyway, I’m sticking with the under-sink trap for now. Less mystery, less mess (well, sort of), and way less chance of accidentally digging up my garden.
