Have you ever wondered what that bend in your sink drain pipe is for? It’s called a “P-trap,” and it’s an essential component of your home’s plumbing system. Of course, it’s understandable if you have questions. For example, you may find yourself wondering: What is a P-trap, exactly? Why are these parts so important?
Let’s discuss how a P-trap works and why it’s so crucial to have them throughout your home.
What Are P-Traps?
A P-trap is a U-shaped plumbing pipe that’s designed to prevent sewer gases from rising up into your home through the drain line. It’s given its name because of its interesting shape, which many say looks like the letter “P” when viewed from the side.
How a P-Trap Works
Now that you have a general understanding of what a P-trap is, you probably want to know how they work. It’s all pretty simple. When you run water down the drain, it flows through the P-trap and into the larger drain line. As the water flows through the P-trap, it creates a barrier of water that separates the inside of your home from the municipal sewer system outside. This water seal stops sewer gases from entering your home and keeps them where they belong — which is outside in the sewer system.
Why P-Traps Are So Important
Although we’ve reviewed how a P-trap works and why they’re essential to your home’s plumbing system, you might still be wondering why they’re so important. When it comes down to it, they can prevent bad smells from appearing in your home and help you avoid potentially hazardous health conditions. Additionally, if you were ever to drop something valuable down the drain, like a wedding ring, the P-trap would be your first line of defense against losing it forever. You could simply remove this section of pipe and retrieve the lost item.
In older homes, it’s possible that P-traps may not have been installed in every plumbing fixture. This is because plumbing codes were not as strict in the past, and many homes were initially built without these pipes. If your home is on the older side and you’re not sure if you have them installed, it’s a good idea to have a plumber inspect your plumbing system to ensure that it’s up to code.
As we mentioned earlier, every plumbing fixture in your home should have a P-trap installed. This includes kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, toilets, and shower drains. Anywhere that water drains from your home and into the municipal sewer system should have them.
Removing the P-Trap
Now that you know what a P-trap is and how they can be used to clear out drain clogs, let’s discuss how to remove them. Fortunately, it’s an easy process. Start by turning off the water to the plumbing fixture in question. Then, place a bucket underneath the P-trap to catch water and debris that may come out of the pipe. Finally, you need to unscrew the connections on either side of the P-trap, then you can remove it from the sink drain.
Of course, if you have a clogged drain, you can always call a trained plumber for help. At Proactive Comfort, we can assist with a professional drain cleaning in Nashua, NH.
Schedule Your Plumbing Services Today
“What is a P-trap?” If you were asking this question before, hopefully, you’re no longer shaking your head in complete confusion. Although they may seem like minor parts of your plumbing, they play an essential role in keeping your home safe and functional.
Now that you know how a P-trap works and why they’re necessary, you may have come to the realization that many components work in tandem to keep your plumbing system running smoothly. When you find yourself needing experienced plumbers in Nashua, turn to Proactive Comfort. Our plumbing professionals can assist with all of your needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!