The Most Effective Way to Clean a P-Trap.

At ASI, we're very much in the camp of leaving hard jobs to the professionals. When a job is easy plenty to do on your own, we believe in helping you through it. Ane of the easiest, and virtually productive, DIY plumbing fixes is emptying the P-trap. Here are our steps for the all-time fashion to make clean a P-trap.

What is a P-Trap?

Appliances and fixtures that collect and drain water ordinarily have a u-shaped pipe underneath it. This u-shaped pipe is often referred to equally a P-trap, short for plumbing trap.

Almost any bowl that collects h2o has a u-shaped pipe underneath it. This pipe is sometimes chosen a "plumbing trap," or P-trap.

The sharp drop in the u shape creates a gravity barrier that stops undesirable odors and gasses from coming dorsum upward through the pipes.

A major reason the P-trap works is because information technology is filled with h2o. This water acts every bit a protective bulwark between the stinky sewer line and you make clean home.

When a P-trap's water empties, it can break the scent seal. This happens in sinks that don't traditionally see a lot of use. Recollect utility sinks or anything in a invitee bath.

When this happens, showtime run the water for x-15 seconds. This should literally wash abroad the smell and create a new barrier.

Despite this, there are times when running the water won't assist. This is when you tin follow the steps beneath to clean a P-trap.

Step by Footstep: How to Make clean a P-Trap

Materials Needed to Clean a P-Trap.

Materials Needed:

  • Bucket – Catch all the water and other debris in your pipes
  • Flexible Wire Castor – Great for getting to the bottom of the curved trap.
  • Pliers or Adjustable Wrench – Sometimes, the basics are a little hard to crack.

Step i: Plough off the Water Faucet

One of the things that makes cleaning the P-trap easy is that y'all don't demand to shut off the water to the whole house. Just make sure the sink isn't running.

Even though the water is off, in that location will withal be a mess of h2o—and other debris—in the P-trap. This is why we recommend putting the bucket under the trap before you even starting time to remove it.

Footstep 2: Remove the P-Trap

This is where the magic happens. When information technology'southward time to remove the P-trap most people just need their hands and a washcloth.

Simply hold the connecting pipe to keep it in identify, and unscrew the nut property the P-trap in place. Do the same to the other side and yous should be able to remove the P-trap.

When a trap hasn't been removed in a long time and is stuck in place, or when the nuts are too tight, this is when you should pull out the pliers or wrench.

Remember that even as shortly equally you loosen the nuts, water will start to come spilling out from the pipage. It all depends on how full the P-trap is.

Carefully remove the P-trap, dump its contents into the bucket, and move on to step iii.

Footstep 3: Clean the P-Trap

Cleaning the P-trap is an incredibly piece of cake chore. Start by manually pulling out anything visible and dump that into the saucepan or a trash bin.

Next get the flexible wire brush, wet it, and become to work. Simply push the castor through the pipe to remove annihilation that may be stuck inside.

Clean the pipe until there is no more than balance sticking to the brush.

Step 4: Put Everything Back Together

Now that you lot accept a nice and clean piping, it'southward time to put everything back together. This process is just as piece of cake every bit taking it all apart.

Make sure to line up the pipe correctly and screw the nuts back into place. Just know, the long end of the pipe faces the front and short end is in the back.

Now, spiral the nuts back on. Don't push also hard, but you may need the pliers or wrench to brand certain everything is sealed.

However, we're non done yet. You yet need to test the pipe.

Run the water for 15 seconds and lookout man the P-trap. No leaks mean you lot're good to finish and clean everything up.

Water coming from the basics mean you may need to tighten them or reinforce the seal with Teflon tape.

How Oftentimes Should I Make clean my P-Trap?

At ASI, our plumbers recommending cleaning your P-trap once every iii months. This helps proceed your line clear h2o freely flowing.

Dealing with annihilation bigger? Time to call the plumbing experts at ASI, the White Glove Guys.