The CDC<\/a> also notes that hydrogen sulfide is linked to sewers.<\/p>\n I have an abandoned 2-inch PVC shower drain.<\/p>\n Can I glue a cap onto the standpipe?<\/p>\n Or should I remove the P-trap and cap the drain line?<\/p>\n Removing the trap would mean digging.<\/p>\n There is also debris in the P-trap.<\/p>\n I vacuumed out what I could from the standpipe.<\/p>\n The better long-term fix is to remove the unused P-trap and cap the horizontal drain line.<\/strong><\/p>\n A glued cap on the standpipe may work as a temporary seal.<\/strong><\/p>\n But it leaves a dead, dirty trap below the floor.<\/strong><\/p>\n That trap can hold debris, smell bad, or collect stagnant water.<\/strong><\/p>\n If this drain will never be used again, cap the line before the trap.<\/strong><\/p>\n This means cutting the drain line on the sewer side of the trap.<\/p>\n Then glue on a proper 2-inch PVC cap.<\/p>\n Use primer and PVC cement made for drain pipe.<\/p>\n Also, make sure the pipe is clean and dry.<\/p>\n A solid solvent-welded cap is usually more secure than a loose test plug.<\/p>\n Check local rules before closing any drain permanently.<\/p>\n The International Plumbing Code<\/a> covers trap rules and trap seal protection.<\/p>\n If digging is hard, a glued cap on the standpipe can still seal the opening.<\/p>\n However, it should be easy to inspect later.<\/p>\n Do not bury a weak cap or rubber plug under concrete.<\/p>\n That can create a hidden leak point.<\/p>\n If the shower is gone for good, remove the trap.<\/p>\n Then cap the active drain line with a permanent PVC fitting.<\/p>\n If the drain may be reused later, cap the standpipe accessibly.<\/p>\n Label it so future owners know what it is.<\/p>\n Before sealing, remove as much debris as possible.<\/p>\n Debris left in a trap can rot and smell.<\/p>\n A wet-dry vacuum is a good first step.<\/p>\n A small drain brush may also help.<\/p>\n Never pour harsh chemicals into an abandoned trap.<\/p>\n They may sit there and damage the pipe.<\/p>\n When in doubt, choose the repair that removes the dead pipe.<\/p>\n Dead plumbing can hide odor, leaks, and future problems.<\/p>\n A clean, capped branch line is safer and neater.<\/p>\n It also makes future remodeling easier to understand.<\/p>\n I’m Chris Mayer, writing for Plumbing 101<\/a>.<\/p>\nQuestion<\/h2>\n
Answer<\/h2>\n
Best Practice<\/h2>\n
Final Tip<\/h2>\n
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