Toilets, Sinks, Showers, Tubs and Disposals - reducer

Hello
Bathroom sink has a short downspout so I got a 1 1/4" washer to fit on it with a nut behind it and screwed this nut onto a threaded extension(1 1/2) which I threaded onto the trap with another washer and nut at the bottom .
Question, should the nut that is on the the 1 1/4 pipe be about the same size ? It looks like it would fit a 1 1/2 pipe.
There is no leak but I did not know if thery make a nut smaller than the 1 1/2 size.
I'll send a picture if it will help and thank you

First, I'm assuming that you are deling with PVC rather than brass.

There are 1-1/4" nuts and 1-1/2" nuts. But the most common thing that you will see is simply a 1-1/4" washer that is really fat so it fits on 1-1/4" tail pieces and uses a 1-1/2" nut to connect it to 1-1/2" fittings (like traps and extension tubes).

There is also a version of said nut which is 1 1/2 in and has that thread but the opening in the nut itself is reduced to the 1 1/4 in size.This too will use a thicker washer,metal using rubber pvc using plastic.

You're description sounds like beyond the tailpeice from the sink everything is 1 1/2 in.That's ok and no need to change it but for the record traps in pvc,p-traps,wall tubes etc are also available in 1 1/4 in and therefore would not use a reducing nut until you reached the pipe in the wall where the same reducing nut would be used or sometimes other forms of reduction.

The 1 1/2 to 1 1/4 pvc with the regular 1 1/2 nut sounds ok but two things;
1-I could have used a 1 1/2 nut that has a 1 1/4 hole to be snugger and
2- ideally I should have used all 1 1/4 material from the tail piece to the wall, then use a piece to change to 1 1/2?

Is it common practise to use a regular 1 1/2 nut on this tailpiece with a 1 1/4 washer? That is the spot that concerns me because it looks like the space is so big?
Thank you guys for your help.

I just edited because I just thought of something, the 1 1/4 washer is not 'fat' but just a regular washer. Should I change something to be safe?

peterr,

There's no reason to change anything.

1-1/2" traps are used for several reasons. They're larger, and less prone to clogging. That's important in a bathroom where a lot of hair goes down the drain.

A plumber only has to keep one PVC trap on his truck. It will fit in the kitchen or laundry, where an 1-1/2" trap is required, and it also fits in a lavy by simply using the fatter washer. (They are fatter since they are sized for 1-1/4" pipe inside and 1-1/2" pipe outside.) One of those washers is included in virtually every package of PVC fittings that you buy.

I've never seen a nut that is sized to thread onto 1-1/2" pipe but has a smaller opening for 1-1/4". (I'm not saying that they might not exist. But nobdy stocks them because there is no needd to.

peterr,

There's no reason to change anything.

1-1/2" traps are used for several reasons. They're larger, and less prone to clogging. That's important in a bathroom where a lot of hair goes down the drain.

A plumber only has to keep one PVC trap on his truck. It will fit in the kitchen or laundry, where an 1-1/2" trap is required, and it also fits in a lavy by simply using the fatter washer. (They are fatter since they are sized for 1-1/4" pipe inside and 1-1/2" pipe outside.) One of those washers is included in virtually every package of PVC fittings that you buy.

I've never seen a nut that is sized to thread onto 1-1/2" pipe but has a smaller opening for 1-1/4". (I'm not saying that they might not exist. But nobdy stocks them because there is no needd to.

The nut is in every hardware store plumbing section.It's a standard item in the Ace plumbing planogram.In the 30 years I've been selling hardware I've sold many of them.

The washer only set up is sometimes prone to leakage.The reduced nut holds the 1 1/4 more securely.

The plumbers only have to carry one trap thing is kind of like painters who only carry one putty for many uses.Easier for them but not necessarily better for you.

You both make good points and have helped me.
I nowhave a standard 1 1/2 nut with a "fatter" washer on the tailpiece and will keep an eyeout for the 1 1/2 nut with the 1 1/4 inside hole but things are fine now.

peterr,

My Dad always told me "If it ain't broke, DON'T FIX IT!!"

As far as the 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" adapting washers in PVC, those things are solid nylon and fit snugly against the 1-1/4" pipe on the inside and are trapped in the beveled end of the 1-1/2" fitting that they go into, and the nut keeps them in place. They aren't going to be unstable in that application.

Now, if you were using a RUBBER washer to make the size change, then I can see the need for the 1-1/2" nut with the larger top flange to secure the 1-1/4" pipe. The rubber is soft and may allow the trap (or whatever 1-1/2" fitting you are going into) to move.

I think what may be being discussed is the nut with the BUILT-IN reducing washer? I think I've used them when thats what came in a kit of some sort.

I never saw the point..though I guess they are probably cheaper to produce in one operation than a nut and a seperate nylon washer.

peterr,

My Dad always told me "If it ain't broke, DON'T FIX IT!!"

As far as the 1-1/4" to 1-1/2" adapting washers in PVC, those things are solid nylon and fit snugly against the 1-1/4" pipe on the inside and are trapped in the beveled end of the 1-1/2" fitting that they go into, and the nut keeps them in place. They aren't going to be unstable in that application.

Now, if you were using a RUBBER washer to make the size change, then I can see the need for the 1-1/2" nut with the larger top flange to secure the 1-1/4" pipe. The rubber is soft and may allow the trap (or whatever 1-1/2" fitting you are going into) to move.

Hello again
I am already onto my next project and am glad to report there are no leaks.
Thanx

I did a search for that nut that was supposed to be in Ace hardware and of the three I called in my area they only had the 1 1/2" with the fat 1 1/4" washer.:confused:
As I said it was only a curiosoty search; everyone I spoke with uses the 1 1/2 with the fat 1 1/4 washer.
I would really like to see one if it exists.
Could you post a picture?

1 1/2" x 1 1/4" Slip Joint Nut - Google Product Search (http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-ContextMenu&rlz=1I7GPEA_en&q=1+1/2%22+x+1+1/4%22+Slip+Joint+Nut&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=uG_fSsLfHc6k8Ab64sxr&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBgQrQQwAA)

Is it the California Faucets one for $6.75 and is yellowish?
Most nuts appear to have the 1 1/4 i.d. hole but have a washer. Either that or are metal and I don't like to mix metal with plastic due to over cutting.
This appears to really be 1 1/4" i.d."
You are a great detective.
Home Depot near me said they carry it so I'm going out there Friday but I'll bet it will be with a washer not an i.d 1 1/14 hole.

Well they both exist in metal and plastic.The "california" one is simply one manufacturers version.Yes they have a wider washer as the area within the nut is wider but the hole in the nut is smaller.

I'm amazed that such a simple,normal,common item has stirred up so much on a site for DIYers.I've known about and sold these since I was a kid...