What Does a P-trap Do in a Plumbing System in Lyndhurst, OH?

Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co.

10 July 2024

If you aren't too accustomed to seeing the underside of your sink, you may be wondering, "What does a P-trap do?" While plumbers may know what one is, if all you see underneath a sink is a mysterious maze of pipes, you likely can't pick out a P-trap from a lineup of pipe shapes.

To understand the mechanics behind your kitchen's plumbing, how it works, and what your P-trap is responsible for in your home, read this article by Lyndhurst's trusted plumbers from Formica Plumbing.

What Is a P-trap and What Does It Do?

A P-trap, unlike what the name suggests, is a U-shaped pipe fitting that acts as a trap for debris and prevents foul-smelling odors from escaping your kitchen drains. Between each water seal of your P-trap, there's a dip in the plumbing fixture that traps debris as it flows down into your sink. This helps not just prevent a clog but also keeps sewer gasses from airing up through straight pipes and into your home.

Each drain you have inside your home comes with a P-trap. One of the best things about P-traps is that they bend in a way that allows them to catch anything that goes down the drain. Dropped your wedding ring down the sink? That is no problem; simply remove the P-trap to retrieve it. To remove a P-trap, loosen the fittings at each end. Make sure to turn off the water first, though, or you'll have quite a mess on your hands.

The P-trap is quite useful in resolving everyday Lyndhurst homeowner problems, being easily removable and designed for kitchen and bathroom use. If your sink is severely clogged, it isn't difficult to remove the P-trap to see if there is something you can do about excess kitchen sludge.

While we never recommend DIY plumbing, the P-trap is one of the few mechanisms designed for homeowner removal. If you aren't comfortable removing the P-trap, call us for help. We'll have your kitchen sink repaired, or that dropped wedding ring retrieved in no time.

How Do P-traps Work in Lyndhurst, OH?

What does a P-trap do in your Lyndhurst home? A P-trap holds sewer gas inside your water system, mainly so that you aren't smelling it all the time. A P-trap works by taking advantage of the fact that your water is constantly running.

When you run your tap, it flows through the P-trap effortlessly, but when the water stops, a small amount remains in your P-trap. This not only helps provide a catch-all place for accidentally discarded items but also acts as an odor blocker. Without your P-trap, your home would smell like sewage, rotten eggs, or rotting food. That certainly wouldn't be very appetizing when you're trying to make and eat dinner!

If you have a clog, a P-trap system gives you a stalwart advantage against it. Most of the time, you can find a clog in your P-trap rather than further down the line of your system. This is quite convenient because it's far easier to remove the P-trap than it is to access pipes behind walls or underground.

P-traps are so easy to work with, in fact, that you may be able to use a drain cleaner or sink plunger to clear an obstruction in the drain without having to remove the trap. Even if you need to, the act of doing so is so easy that most homeowners don't even need to call a plumber about it.

What To Do If Your P-trap Is Dry

If you notice some odd smells coming from your kitchen sink, there's a chance that your P-trap is bone-dry, with no water inside the curve to help block out the smell. There are many reasons this could happen, but the main cause is likely evaporation of all the water inside. This commonly happens when it's very hot outside. It can also occur if you rarely use the sink.

To prevent your P-trap from drying out, simply run some water down the pipeline from time to time. This helps not just keep the tap full, but also helps keep the water flowing so it doesn't start to stagnate and stink.

Why Choose Us for P-trap Repairs?

If you'd rather not work on your P-trap yourself, give our pros a call. Here's why to choose us for your plumbing needs:

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Our plumbers are fully licensed, bonded, and insured.
We promise never to leave behind messes for you to clean when we are finished working.
We proudly serve both residential and commercial customers in Lyndhurst and beyond.

Work With Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. in Lyndhurst

With Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. you can get expert service that's not just reliable, but available as an emergency service 24/7. If you need help identifying what that odd smell is, or learning how to snake a 90-degree drain, our expert plumbers at Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. are ready to offer their help. Whether you live in Lyndhurst or a nearby city, our plumbers from Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. are prepared to handle everything from a broken sewer pipe to malfunctioning washer machines or toilets.

Now that you've gotten more information about the answer to "What does a P-trap do?", why not trust the rest of your burning plumbing questions to a company that cares about your pipes and home? If you're ready to request a quote, call Formica Plumbing and Sewer Co. at 440-557-4743. We can help with all of the following issues; just give us a call to learn more: