For those unaware of the purpose of a P Trap, they are designed to hold water so that sewer gas doesn’t come out of the drain. Over time, they can also collect debris, so it’s good practice to clean them every so often. As we’ve discussed in previous blogs that dealt with clogs, we always advise against using chemical cleaners, as they can be harmful to your plumbing over time. Cleaning the P Trap takes only a few simple steps and then you’re back to business as usual.
STEP 1: ACCESS + REMOVE THE TRAP
Begin by clearing out the space around your sink pipes in order to have room to work. Using your hands, or pliers if necessary, loosen the coupling nuts that connect the trap to the drain pipe at one end and the overflow pipe at the other and carefully remove the trap.
Note: If you’re concerned about an excess of water coming out when you remove the trap, you can place a bucket or bowl underneath it to catch any runoff.
STEP 2: CLEAN THE TRAP
Once the trap is removed, dump out any water that is in it and clean the trap out in a separate sink. Depending on the debris build up in the trap, you might need to clean the interior with a wire brush or bottle brush.
STEP 3: REASSEMBLE THE TRAP
Once the trap is cleaned, reassemble it and be sure that the coupling nuts are tightly secured. Run the faucet for about 30 seconds to ensure that the trap is not leaking.
Check out any of our other at home tips and tricks on our Builder’s Blog.