You're exactly right on the plug being in the bottom of the trap.
Unfortunately it fell into the trap with the knob side down and couldn't be
retrieved with needle nose pliers -- there wasn't anything to grab. But I
did manage to poke it a little farther into the trap. Now the trap is
totally blocked. I have to leave the cleanout open to permit the AC
condensate to drain.

So, any suggestions on retrieving the plug from the trap or is this call a
plumber and have the trap replaced? That will likely be a somewhat messy
and expensive job.

Ca****cher


"aemeijers" wrote in message
...
Mark wrote:
I can't picture how a plug that was intended to fit snugly into the drain
'sank to the bottom.
"ca****cher" wrote in message
...
I have a 1970's house. A few years ago while cleaning the basement
floor drain I accidentally kicked the cleanout plug into the drain. It
sank and couldn't be retrieved. In the summer I now have to leave the
drain cleanout partially open to allow the air conditioner condensate to
drain. This sometimes creates odor problems on windy days. Is there a
recommended process for removing an obstruction in a floor drain? I'm
guessing that this is not an unusual circumstance.

Ca****cher


He's talking about the little plug off to the side that bypasses the trap,
so you can get a snake down the line. The plugs often have to be chiseled
out if they haven't been opened in 20 years, and pretty much any plumbing
store will have new ones. The old one is likely in the bottom of the trap,
but I wouldn't think it would do more than restrict the flow a little. OP
should get a new plug to keep the sewer gases at bay, A wet-dry shop vac
does a good job on floor drain traps. If the blockage is further
downstream, time to call the drain guy, and pay the hundred dollars.

--
aem sends...