VIDEO: Dumb Questions: What’s a P-Trap?

Got a dumb question you’re embarrassed to ask … like, for example, what’s a P-trap? Fear not. There are no dumb questions.

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If you return from an extended trip away from home or you have a bathroom that doesn’t get used very often, you may notice a sewer-like stench lingering in the air. A likely culprit may be your P-trap. Watch the video below to get the answer to your “dumb question” and learn how to mind your P’s and Q’s when it comes to maintaining your P-Trap.

Despite that aforementioned foul smell, your P-trap doesn’t trap pee — quite the opposite in fact. Instead, it’s a curved pipe commonly found under your sink. When you run the water, the bend in the pipe, by design, traps some water, which creates a seal to keep smelly sewer gasses from making their way up the pipe and into your home.

When you don’t use the sink for a long time, that water can evaporate, drying up and eliminating the seal and allowing those sewer gasses to escape. So, if you’re experiencing an issue like this, that could be what you’re smelling. Luckily, the fix is as easy as turning the water on and letting it run for a minute. That will flush out the pipe and replenish the stench-blocking water seal in your P-trap.

Let this be a lesson to ya, homeowners … never stop asking those “dumb” questions! In the video above, we’ll address the following topics:

• What is a P-trap?

• How a P-trap works

• How to fix a smelly drain

• Why does my sink smell?

• P-trap cleaning

• Plumbing odors

• Trap seal evaporation

• DIY plumbing tips

• How to fix smelly plumbing

After watching our video, if you find it informative, don’t forget to like, comment and share — and please hit that Subscribe button!

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