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The p-trap is not a pee trap
Below every sink and tub is drain-piping shaped like a sideways letter “P”. This is called the p-trap… and, as you might imagine, the source of plumber humor and bathroom misunderstandings.
The p-trap performs two important functions. First, it water collects in the lower crook that traps the odorous sewage gases from escaping up through the drain. If a sink, tub or shower has not been used in a very long time, this can result in rooms smelling ripe and unpleasant. If you have ever removed the p-trap to clean out gunk collecting there, you have learned how important it is to have a bowl below as the water spills out.
Second, the p-trap collects jewelry and other treasured items that inadvertently get dropped in the sink and escape down the drain. This prevents potential obstructions down stream. You can rest assured that a p-trap is installed at every drain and most heavier items collect at the bottom of the p-trap awaiting retrieval.
Maintenance Tip: It is recommended that drains and p-traps be cleaned out regularly whenever it appears that water is emptying slowly. Some rubber gloves may be a helpful if you don’t like some of the nastiest substances on the planet under your fingernails!
P-TRAP PROBLEMS
#1 – This is a picture of a sink that does not have a proper p-trap installed. It was recommended that a handyman or plumber make repairs to this drain piping. Sewer gases were seeping into the bathroom. Repair cost: Probably $15 in parts and 30 minutes of work.
#2 – This is not a P-trap but what is called an S-trap. Does it look funky? It is. This creates a drain problem as the momentum of the draining water will pull all water from the trap. These tend to show up in older homes that do not have proper plumbing vent piping installed. A plumber is a good one to talk to if this is the problem.
