A trap is a fitting or device that provides a liquid seal to prevent the emission of sewer gases without materially affecting the flow of sewage or wastewater through it.

Also, there is vent stack, which is a vertical vent pipe, installed to provide air circulation to and from the drainage system. The pipe extends through one or more stories of the structure.

Now these two items are pretty much indispensable to a good plumbing system and certainly mandatory by code in any US building or house. But this is not the case here in Mexico. I have read of people complaining about sewage smell in even four-star hotels in Mexico.

What is the problem here with Mexican contractors and architects as well as the plumbing trade not including these items? I mean I am at a loss on this.

On the Forum Brenda suggests an inexpensive solution for the missing trap, “I have to say that our sinks do have traps here which cuts the smell problems from them. In our shower and outdoor clothes washing sink drains, our landlord put a “vaso” (cup) and that is just what it looks like. It is the shape of a disposable plastic glass; but with no bottom in it. It is placed in the drain and it stays full of water, removing the odor problem. It was very reasonable in price (couple of dollars I think) and is just plopped into place, no big deal at all. A cheap alternative to a trap and works perfectly, we now have no smell at all.”

In as much as in many areas of Mexico the wastewater management is poor or non-existent, they demand NOT putting toilet paper in the sewage line. There is usually a small wastebasket placed near the toilet for disposal of the waste toilet paper – this is emptied into the trash and landfills – wherever that may be. Emily writes a question in the last entries comments, “Do you put toilet paper in there too? I was so freaked out before I got to Mexico just thinking about not being able to put toilet paper in the toilet. It’s not as big a deal as I thought, but I was just curious if you throw it in that hole. That would be another benefit over regular toilet rooms in most of Mexico. Interesting.” The answer to that question is yes compost consumes the paper and it is not necessary for separating that.

Here in Poor Man’s Shangri-La plumbing issues are pretty much at a medieval level of technology. We know people that run fresh water down their sewer pipes all day long to help reduce the odor that comes back from the sewage brimming rio. There are some clever, simple ways to block back odors from pipes, but again this hasn’t got down here to our part of Mexico.

It is cold here today after about 6 beautiful days that culminated with yesterday being in the low 80’s. Today we are rainy and 20 degrees colder – but life is good in the Hood. We paid our property tax for the Casita for the year – this amounted to about $12.00 US dollars – you gotta love that! Stay Tuned!