PVC Drain Plug question.

[dirigo]

I was cleaning out the PVC pipe under my sink which was installed around 1988. The pipe is C-shaped with a plug at the bottom for cleanout, which I thought was a fairly standard setup. The head of the drain plug snapped off and I bought a 3/4 size plug to replace it. It turns out that my plug is approximately 1/8 inch smaller then the 3/4's plug and I can't seem to find this odd-ball sized plug anywhere on the interenet. The 3/4 plug just doesn't fit.

Is this a product of older construction? Do you think I'll be able to find the right size plug or will I have to replace the whole pipe? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Mike Swearingen]

Just replace the trap.
PVC drain pipes are made to hand-tighten with the lock nuts and the plastic compression rings that come with them.
Available at any plumbing section or hardware store.
Mike

[finnegan]

You do not need to repace the trap. Though, you might need to buy a new trap. The piece that broke off is only used in traps. If you buy the whole trap for just a few dollars, it will come with the plug and a thin rubber gasket. HD and Lowes will sell this type of trap. A plumbing supply store may sell just the plug and the gasket. Do not overtighten the plug or you will distort the gasket and break the seal.

[hj]

That is a special sized plug and you will not find a replacement. Most traps do not have, or need, that opening. Buy a new trap without the plug and replace the "J" bend.

[bigrebnc1861]

I would do away with your old trap and re-place it with one that doesn't have a drain plug.

[finnegan]

Keep in mind that this type of trap is solvent welded into place. You can spend about $3 (on a new trap and just use the plug) and 20 seconds screwing in a new plug or you can try to cut out the trap, leaving the stub cut square, glue a coupling onto the stub, another stub into the coupling and then get a new trap lined up with the tailpiece all while working in tight quarters. It seems like such an easy choice.