Installation, replacement and repair
Bottle trap replacement
A bottle trap is the fitting under a wash basin that holds a little water to block drain smells, and when it fails it drips, smells or chokes. Most are replaced in under an hour, and a PVC trap costs less than a chrome one.
Typical price
$60–$120per job, basic trapTypical job time
20–45 min
Estimate, confirm on WhatsApp
When to replace or repair
- Drips or a small puddle under the basin, often from the trap's screw-off base or the joint at the wall.
- A drain smell from the basin, especially after it has not been used for a while.
- The basin drains slowly and gurgles.
- The trap is cracked or discoloured, or the chrome has corroded.
- The connection to the wall or floor pipe is loose or has pulled out.
Common reasons
- Hair, soap scum and toothpaste collecting in the bottom of the trap.
- Worn or missing washers in the screw-off base or the joints.
- Thin PVC traps that crack after being over-tightened or knocked.
- Chrome traps corroding at the joints in humid bathrooms.
- The water seal drying out in a basin that is rarely used, letting smells through.
Before you call
Safe things to try first
- Run the tap for a minute. In a basin that is rarely used, a dry trap is the usual cause of smells.
- Put a pail under the trap, unscrew the base by hand, clear out the hair and gunk, then refit it with the washer seated flat.
- Hand-tighten the joints. Over-tightening plastic nuts cracks them.
Stop and call if
- The trap is cracked or its threads are stripped.
- Water leaks from the wall where the trap meets the waste pipe.
- The basin is still slow after the trap is cleaned, which means the choke is further along the pipe.
- The smell stays even with water in the trap, which may point to a loose pipe joint or a floor trap problem.
What we do
- 1Check the basin waste, whether the trap goes into the wall or the floor, and how far the outlet sits from the wall.
- 2Unscrew and remove the old trap, and clean the basin waste tail and wall connector.
- 3Fit the new PVC or chrome trap with new washers, adjusting the height and reach so it lines up without strain.
- 4Fill and drain the basin, check every joint for drips, and confirm the trap holds its water seal.
How much it costs
Most bottle trap replacement jobs in Singapore cost $60–$120 (per job, basic trap). This is an estimate; the final price is confirmed on WhatsApp or on site before work starts.
- Replace with a PVC bottle trap$60–$100
- Replace with a chrome bottle trap$80–$150
- New trap added during a basin choke visit$20–$40
- Redo the full basin waste connection$150–$280
HDB, condo and landed
HDB
The bottle trap and basin waste are fittings inside your flat, so they are yours to maintain. Under HDB rules, floor traps and toilets choked by renovation debris are cleared at the owner's expense, so ask contractors not to rinse grout or cement down any drain.
Condo
Fittings inside the unit are yours. Inform security before the visit. If neighbours report the same drain smell, tell the managing agent, as the cause may be in the common pipes.
Landed
You own everything from the trap to the inspection chamber outside. If several basins smell or drain slowly at the same time, have the outside drain line checked as well.
Bottle trap replacement: common questions
Why does my basin smell like a drain?
The trap holds water to block drain gases. If the basin is rarely used, that water evaporates and the smell comes through. Run the tap. If the smell stays, the trap or a joint may be leaking or loose.
What kind of bottle trap do I need?
Check the size of the waste on your basin and whether the trap needs to run into the wall or down into the floor. Take the old trap to the shop, or send a photo before buying.
Do I need a licensed plumber to change a bottle trap?
No. PUB lists installing a wash basin or sink, including its bottle trap, as work that does not need a Licensed Plumber.
Can I clean the bottle trap myself?
Yes. Put a pail underneath, unscrew the base, clear the gunk, and screw it back by hand with the washer seated flat. Do not pour chemical drain cleaner in first, as it will still be in the trap when you open it.
My trap is clean but the basin is still slow. What next?
The choke is past the trap, in the branch pipe, so it becomes a basin choke job. In an HDB flat, if other fittings back up too, check with the town council in case the common stack is involved.
Get a price for bottle trap replacement
Send a photo or short video, your home type and postal code. We reply with a price range and the earliest slot.
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