January, 2026

Look for proper plumbing trap type (P-trap, not S-trap), intact water seal, correct slope and venting, secure, leak-free and corrosion-free joints, adequate diameter, accessibility/clean-out, and signs of improper configuration, odors, or cross-connections. - AMI sample photo from a home inspection

This plumbing work stinks.

Each plumbing fixture in a home connects to a drain/waste/vent (DWV) piping system that takes wastewater to the municipal sewer or a septic tank. Those sewers and septic tanks produce gases and foul odors that (unsurprisingly) we want to keep out of our homes. To do that, each fixture’s drain should have a trap that holds a small plug of water to block these gases. The sink in this photo lacks a trap, so sewer gases can enter the living space. Time to call a plumber.