The Most Effective Way to Clean a P-Trap.

At ASI, we're very much in the army camp of leaving hard jobs to the professionals. When a job is easy enough to do on your ain, we believe in helping you through information technology. I of the easiest, and most productive, DIY plumbing fixes is elimination the P-trap. Here are our steps for the all-time mode to make clean a P-trap.

What is a P-Trap?

Appliances and fixtures that collect and drain water usually have a u-shaped piping underneath it. This u-shaped pipage is frequently referred to as a P-trap, short for plumbing trap.

Well-nigh whatsoever basin that collects water has a u-shaped pipe underneath information technology. This pipe is sometimes called a "plumbing trap," or P-trap.

The sharp drib in the u shape creates a gravity barrier that stops undesirable odors and gasses from coming back upwardly through the pipes.

A major reason the P-trap works is because information technology is filled with water. This water acts equally a protective barrier between the stinky sewer line and yous 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. Think utility sinks or anything in a guest bath.

When this happens, get-go run the water for x-15 seconds. This should literally wash abroad the olfactory property and create a new barrier.

Despite this, there are times when running the h2o won't help. This is when you can follow the steps beneath to clean a P-trap.

Step by Step: How to Clean a P-Trap

Materials Needed to Clean a P-Trap.

Materials Needed:

  • Saucepan – Catch all the h2o and other debris in your pipes
  • Flexible Wire Castor – Not bad for getting to the lesser of the curved trap.
  • Pliers or Adjustable Wrench – Sometimes, the nuts are a little hard to crack.

Footstep 1: Turn off the Water Faucet

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

Fifty-fifty though the water is off, at that place will however be a mess of h2o—and other debris—in the P-trap. This is why we recommend putting the saucepan under the trap before you fifty-fifty first to remove information technology.

Step 2: Remove the P-Trap

This is where the magic happens. When it's time to remove the P-trap most people merely need their hands and a washcloth.

But hold the connecting pipe to keep it in place, and unscrew the nut holding the P-trap in place. Exercise the same to the other side and you should be able to remove the P-trap.

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

Recall that even as shortly as you loosen the nuts, water will beginning to come spilling out from the piping. 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 footstep 3.

Step three: Clean the P-Trap

Cleaning the P-trap is an incredibly easy job. Start past manually pulling out anything visible and dump that into the bucket or a trash bin.

Adjacent get the flexible wire brush, moisture it, and go to work. Only push the brush through the pipe to remove anything that may be stuck inside.

Clean the pipe until there is no more residuum sticking to the castor.

Step 4: Put Everything Back Together

Now that you accept a nice and clean pipe, it'southward time to put everything back together. This process is but as easy equally taking it all autonomously.

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

Now, screw the basics back on. Don't push too hard, but you may need the pliers or wrench to brand sure everything is sealed.

However, we're not done nevertheless. You nonetheless need to test the piping.

Run the water for xv seconds and spotter the P-trap. No leaks mean you're good to finish and clean everything up.

H2o coming from the basics mean you may need to tighten them or reinforce the seal with Teflon tape.

How Oft Should I Clean my P-Trap?

At ASI, our plumbers recommending cleaning your P-trap once every three months. This helps keep your line clear water freely flowing.

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