Homeowner says plumber wants to glue the P-trap, and commenters reply: 'Hire a real plumber'

A homeowner who asked whether a plumber could glue together a sink's P-trap got a blunt response from Reddit: absolutely not.

The post struck a nerve because it tapped into a familiar concern for homeowners and renters alike — paying for a repair that could end up causing even bigger problems behind the cabinet doors.

Here's what to know

The concern surfaced in a Reddit post about a sink installation. The OP said the person doing the work wanted to glue the P-trap connections and said, "the glue he installed is not taking." 

The homeowner added, "I did some research and read that a glue should not be used for this kind of work. Please help."

Users urged the OP to stop the job and find a different professional. 

One user said, "Dear god, tell him not to come back and call somebody else."

Several replies suggested the issue was bigger than the glue itself. Users pointed to what they saw as accordion-style sections and a drain layout that did not appear to include a proper trap arrangement. 

Another user said, "That's not a plumber."

Part of the alarm came down to maintenance. Sink traps are usually designed to be taken apart for cleaning and repairs, and sealing them permanently can make basic service much more difficult.

What can be done?

Ask questions before a repair is completed. If a drain assembly is being sealed in a way that prevents disassembly, or if the work looks makeshift, getting a second opinion is reasonable.

It can also help to document the installation with photos and keep records of what was discussed. That may make it easier to compare advice, request corrections, or push back on work that does not meet expectations.

In shared buildings, acting quickly can matter even more. A bad under-sink installation can affect more than one household if leaks spread into common walls or lower units.

Where can I learn more?

If you've run into a sink-drain problem of your own, these stories cover similar issues homeowners face. They look at simple ways people and plumbers handle clogs, pop-up assemblies, and backed-up sinks.

• On TikTok, a homeowner shared a plumber-approved hack for clearing clogged drains.

• A plumber showed a super simple step-by-step process for clearing a pop-up assembly.

• On TikTok, a handyman revealed how to unclog a kitchen sink in seconds.

• A plumber shared an unbelievably simple method for fixing a clogged sink.

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