Upgrading 3 Floor Traps at The Stone Condominium (Paya Terubong, Penang) – Anti-Odor & Cockroach Protection

When living in a modern high-rise condominium like The Stone in Paya Terubong, Penang, small plumbing details make a massive difference in your daily living environment. Standard developer-issued plastic grates often let unpleasant sewer gases, foul odors, and cockroaches creep up into your living spaces.

Recently, a unit owner at The Stone reached out to PEN Handyman Services with a clear goal: eliminate foul sewage smells and block cockroach entries across the entire unit.

To solve this permanently, we replaced all 3 floor traps in the unit:

1. Master Bathroom

2. Shared Bathroom

3. Balcony Yard Area

The Problem: Standard Plastic Grates

The original developer covers were basic plastic round grates seated over concrete openings. While they allow water to drain, they lack an airtight seal. In high-rise buildings, air pressure changes in the main drainage stack frequently push sewer odors and pests right through these open grates and into your home.

The Solution: Tile-Insert Heavy-Duty Stainless Steel Traps

We upgraded all three locations to premium stainless steel floor traps equipped with built-in gravity check-valves.

• Anti-Odor & Anti-Pest Core: The mechanical trap door opens automatically when water flows through, then snaps tightly shut when dry—blocking smell and insects 24/7.

• Tile-Insert Aesthetic: The top cover holds a cut tile piece to match the existing floor seamlessly, giving a sleek, hidden appearance.

Behind the Scenes: The Real Installation Story

Every job has a learning curve, and on-site experience is what sets professional work apart:

• Dust Control in Tight Spaces: Recessing floor tiles inside small condo bathrooms generates heavy airborne dust. We used an active vacuum containment system right at the cutting site to keep the air breathable and prevent fine dust from settling throughout the client's condo.

• Mastering the Fit:

  • The 1st floor trap (Master Toilet) took about 2.5 hours as we carefully measured pipe depth, test-fitted the tile insertion, and ensured precise grout sealing.

  • Applying what we learned, the 2nd floor trap (Shared Toilet) was completed in 1.5 hour.

  • By the 3rd floor trap (Balcony), the entire process took just 45 minutes —achieving a perfectly flush alignment and waterproof finish in record time.

Before & After Comparison

Original Setup (Before): Standard plastic round grate sitting loosely over the drain hole, allowing smells and cockroaches to pass freely.

Upgraded Setup (After): Flush-mounted stainless steel tile-insert trap featuring a clean, modern aesthetic and an active mechanical anti-odor valve core.

Need Your Floor Traps Upgraded in Penang?

Whether you are moving into a brand-new unit at The Stone, Paya Terubong, or upgrading your existing condo on Penang Island or Mainland, PEN Handyman Services delivers neat, professional craftsmanship with proper dust control.

• Services: Floor trap replacement, anti-odor solutions, plumbing fixes, tile grouting, and general home repair.

• Coverage: Penang Island & Mainland

Transparent Pricing: How We Quote Floor Trap Replacements

At PEN Handyman Services, we believe in clear, honest pricing. For standard home repairs and installations, we provide fixed prices upfront whenever possible.

However, replacing recessed tile-insert floor traps requires custom masonry work, which is why we provide an estimated range of RM220 – RM380 per unit on labor only.

Why does the final price vary within this range? Every condo unit's subfloor structure is different. We only know the exact level of difficulty once we begin hacking and removing the old concrete setting around the drain:

• Pipe Depth & Clearance: Some pipes sit deeper or off-center, requiring additional grinding or extended valve sleeves to fit flush.

• Concrete & Tile Thickness: Thicker, reinforced subfloor screed takes more time and precision work to recess without damaging surrounding tiles.

• Multi-Unit Discounts: Replacing all 3 traps in a single visit (like we did at The Stone) allows us to pass time-efficiency savings back to you!

Want a Free Remote Assessment?

If you're dealing with sewage smells or cockroach issues in your Penang home, send us a quick photo or video of your current floor drain via WhatsApp. We will evaluate the setup and provide a clear estimate before stepping foot into your unit!