Today's Dumbest Question

Al from Durham · 2025-03-14T20:41:34-0400

Hello. Is everyone having a good time?

I need to replace a section of drain under the kitchen sink because it has a sticking-up tributary on the back side for the dishwasher drain, and I'm taking out the dishwasher.

I really really don't want to disturb this house of cards under the sink. But I observe that there seems to be a few inches of expanded outside diameter at the input to the trap "U". Does this mean I can just loosen the top and bottom joints, tuck the unwanted pipe down into the "U" and tip it out, and reverse for the new pipe?

I mean, is the purpose or what appears to be a long mating area on the "U" intended to let people telescope a pipe in?

Thanks !!

Twowaxhack · 2025-03-14T22:12:57-0400

Cap the tributary off.

Yes I’m have a good time, I’m howling like a coyote then going onto our neighborhood message board and watching all the people post coyote warning threads.

Al from Durham · 2025-03-14T22:37:02-0400

That was my first idea, but there doesn't seem to be any manufactured part that would fit, and I would have to buy a $10 jar of glue to use for one 1/2" part and never for anything again.

This knowledge cost me a couple of hours and a gallon and a half of gas shopping.

Mitchell-DIY-Guy · 2025-03-15T08:57:00-0400

You shouldn’t have much of an issue loosening and removing the tailpiece with the dishwasher extension, taking it to any well stocked big box or hardware store, and replacing it with an equal sized one without the stub-out.

Al from Durham · 2025-03-15T09:40:06-0400

Thanks, but I don't think you read my question.
Will the center piece recede far enough into the curved piece, as the length of the increased od suggests, so I can remove the middle part without having to loosen the whole assembly and tip things and try to bend things and have it all fall to pieces .

GReynolds929 · 2025-03-15T15:03:12-0400

Depends on how much room and play there is. If I installed it there would be no room cause the hub would be filled with the pipe. Easiest solution is to remove the U bend, replace the section of pipe, reinstall.