Metal traps just seem to rinse cleaner and don’t hold onto that weird funk.
Can’t argue with that—metal traps are way less hassle long-term. I had a flex trap in one of my rentals and it was always the first thing to stink up, especially when the tenant barely used the sink. Ended up swapping it for a rigid offset and, yeah, had to wrestle with the old drain, but no more complaints. Teflon tape trick is new to me though… might have to give that a shot next time.
I hear you on the flex traps—mine started smelling weird after just a couple months, and I barely use that bathroom. Swapped it for a metal one and it’s been fine since. The offset thing is tricky, though. Did you have to cut the pipe or did it just line up? I’m always worried I’ll mess up the alignment and make it worse. Teflon tape is a lifesaver for leaks, but I never thought to use it on drain threads... might try that next time.
I gotta say, I’m not a huge fan of Teflon tape on drain threads—those threads aren’t really meant to seal water, just to hold stuff together. If you’re getting leaks there, it’s usually a sign something’s not lined up right or the washer’s shot. I’ve seen folks wrap those threads like a mummy and still end up with drips. As for the offset, I’ve had to break out the hacksaw more times than I care to admit... but hey, nothing like a little PVC dust in your hair to make you feel alive, right?
- Never really understood the Teflon tape thing on drain threads either—tried it once, still leaked.
- Ended up realizing the rubber washer was crooked. Straightened it out, no more drips.
- Hacksawing PVC is a rite of passage, I guess. The mess is unreal, but it works.
- Anyone else find those offset drains just never line up right, no matter how many times you dry-fit everything?
Funny, I’ve actually had better luck with Teflon tape on drain threads than with just relying on the washer. Maybe it’s just the brand of tape or the threads themselves, but it seemed to help seal things up for me—though I still double-check the washer every time now. As for those offset drains, I swear whoever designs them never actually installs them. I’ve dry-fitted, measured, even tried heating the PVC a bit to get a better angle, but it’s always just a little off. Ever tried using flexible tailpieces? They’re not perfect, but sometimes they save a headache.