Yeah, I’m with you—if something’s gonna break, I’d rather it be where I can actually see and reach it. Here’s how I look at it: under the sink, you might deal with some gunk and the occasional smell, but you can usually fix it with a wrench and some gloves. Underground? That’s a whole different ballgame. Digging up a patio is nightmare fuel for my wallet.
One thing I’d add: if you’re stuck with an in-kitchen trap, check it every couple months. Doesn’t have to be fancy—just make sure nothing’s backing up and the seals aren’t shot. A little maintenance beats a big repair bill every time.
I hear you on the nightmare of digging up a patio—seen too many folks regret going underground just for that reason. But I gotta say, in-kitchen traps can be a pain if you’ve got a busy kitchen. They fill up fast and if you miss a cleaning, things get gross quick. Ever had one overflow during a dinner rush? Not fun. Curious, do you think the smell from an in-kitchen trap is worth the trade-off for easier access, or does it drive you nuts after a while?
Curious, do you think the smell from an in-kitchen trap is worth the trade-off for easier access, or does it drive you nuts after a while?
Honestly, the smell is what killed it for me. I tried an in-kitchen trap in my last reno and even with regular cleaning, there was always this faint funk lingering. Maybe I’m just sensitive to it, but it drove me up the wall. That said, digging up a patio is a whole other headache... but if you’ve got the space and budget, I’d still go underground. Less day-to-day hassle, even if it’s a pain upfront.
Had the same debate in one of my rentals a couple years back. Here’s what I learned:
- In-kitchen traps are a nightmare for tenants who don’t stay on top of cleaning. Even with reminders, you get that weird smell creeping in after a few months.
- Underground is a pain to install, yeah, but once it’s in, you barely think about it. Less tenant complaints, less maintenance calls.
- Only exception: if you’re super tight on space or budget, then maybe the in-kitchen is worth the hassle... but honestly, I’d rather deal with the upfront mess than ongoing stink.
Just my two cents—smell always ends up being a bigger issue than people expect.
Had an in-kitchen trap in my last place and yeah, the smell crept up way faster than I expected. Even with baking soda tricks, it lingered. Switched to underground at my current house—install was a headache, but honestly, haven’t thought about it since. Less drama all around.