What's Wrong with Accordion Piping?

Accordion piping with S-trap

We see a lot of accordion piping when we're inspecting multi-family. Maintenance teams must keep a pallet of it on-site! After all, it's so easy to use, widely available and it takes the geometry know-how out of figuring out how to use rigid drain pipe. So why not use it?

Even though it is sold in big-box stores, accordion piping is not code-approved for use as drain piping.

Accordion piping is very thin so it can be shaped to fit different scenarios. Under kitchen sinks it is especially problematic as food particles can be trapped in the accordion like folds. The grease and acids present in kitchen sink drain water can also have a corrosive effect on accordion piping. Even in non-kitchen locations, because the piping is thin and has accordion-like folds, it becomes brittle and can begin to spit, crack, and leak at the folds. It is also more prone to being pierced or damaged as personal belongings that are carelessly being shoved into the cabinet base impact the accordion pipe. Finally, the nuts and joints at the ends of the accordion pipe assembly often do not provide secure seals at the pipe to which it is being connected.

If you're purchasing a multi-family property and it has accordion piping, expect an increased number of service calls due to leaks under sinks, slow drains, etc. Those leaks, especially if gone undetected, can result in water damage and mold - a serious health hazard, but also a leverage that a tenant can use to demand other things from the landlord. Is the ease and affordability of accordion piping really worth the potential problems, health concerns, and headaches it may bring? If you own a multi-family, consider outlawing its use and requiring maintenance crews and plumbers to use code-approved, rigid, smooth interior drain piping installed properly.

Where accordion piping already exists, we recommend replacing it.