This is how to clean a P-trap using baking soda, vinegar and boiling water:
- Drain standing water. ...
- Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, slowly followed by another cup of vinegar.
- Wait for about 15 minutes for the solution to work out its magic.
- Boil about a gallon or more of water.
- Pour the hot water down the drain.
How do you clear a clogged kitchen sink drain?
To clear the clog, you will need to clean your sink trap. For mild clogs, use a plunger or a baking soda solution to clean your sink trap and remove the clog. For more stubborn clogs, you may need to remove your sink trap to clean it properly. Remove any sink stoppers.
What can I use to clean the drain trap?
Bucket, wrench or channel lock pliers, rags, cleaning brush, masking or duct tape. First, locate the drain trap under your sink. The pieces you will most commonly see under your sink are: a tailpiece, slip joint nuts, a "J" shaped trap ("J" bend), a waste arm and a section of pipe coming from the wall.
How to remove a sink trap from a kitchen sink?
Removing the Sink Trap 1. Locate the sink trap. Look under your sink and locate a pipe with a J or P-like curve. This is your sink trap. 2. Place a bucket underneath the sink trap. You can use a regular gallon bucket, or any type of water collecting device... 3. Unscrew the slip joint nuts. Begin by ...
How to clean p-traps in bathroom sink?
If you want to clean the P-traps of your bathroom sink, shower or bathtub drain, this tool will come in handy. A hair removal tool, also known as a zip-tool is a plastic and flexible snake with hooks on both sides that is used to pull hair from P-traps. It is cheap, easy to use and unlike other types of snakes it cannot damage your pipes.
What is the correct way to clear a blockage in a P-trap?
In the case of a clogged P-trap, it is best to place a small bucket under the trap with the water shut off. Using a large wench, the nut on the base of the trap should be loosened in order to disassemble the P-trap. Once the P-trap has been removed, the scum and dirt inside can be cleaned and-or removed.
How often should P-trap be cleaned?
As a preventative measure, many plumbing experts suggest cleaning your drain and plumbing traps at least four times per year. Families with homes of six or more are strongly encouraged to clean their plumbing traps monthly to avoid clogging and limit residue buildup.
How do you tell if P-trap is clogged?
Signs your P-trap may be blockedYour drain isn't clearing after you've done everything to clear the clogged drain. ... You smell a foul odor throughout your home. ... You hear a gurgling noise from the sink or tub.The water in your toilet seems weak, and the bowl isn't refilling quickly enough after a flush.
What causes dried out P-trap?
Dry p-traps occur when the trap or interceptor has lost its water seal, allowing sewer gases to build back up through the drain and into your home.
Do you have to turn off water to clean P-trap?
When you're cleaning a sink P-trap, you don't need to shut off the water to the entire house. All you need to do is make sure the sink's faucet is off. Keep in mind that even though the water is off, there will still be water in the P-trap. No matter how long you wait after turning off the water, this is a wet process.
What does a P-trap look like?
0:102:24How Do P-Traps Work? | Spec. Sense - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you notice a lot of extra piping under your sink then you're looking at the p-trap. Key traps areMoreIf you notice a lot of extra piping under your sink then you're looking at the p-trap. Key traps are named after their shape.
Should water be sitting in P-trap?
Yes it's normal and what you want. It's called a P-trap and the water sitting in there seals out the sewer gasses.
Why is my P-trap not draining?
Clean the P-trap. If the water is still not draining correctly, there might be a blockage in the P-trap, aka the elbow-shaped pipe under your sink. Food, grease and other debris may be stuck in the pipe, causing your sink to drain slowly or not at all because the water hits a snag on its way down.
How do you open the P-trap cleanout plug?
Use an adjustable wrench or adjustable pliers to unscrew the clean-out plug from a P-trap. Place a bucket under the trap to catch the water that will spill out when you remove the plug. Turn the plug counterclockwise to remove it, install the replacement, and turn it clockwise to tighten it.
Why do P traps dry out in winter?
There are a few factors that might cause the P-trap to have an insufficient amount of water: The water in the P-trap can evaporate due to excessively dry air conditions. Oscillation occurs when too much outside air enters the pipe, displacing the water out of the bowl.
Why does my bathroom drain smell like rotten eggs?
A slow-draining sink clogged with ordinary hair and soap scum can build up bacteria in the P-trap until your bathroom sink smells like rotten eggs. This smell can also happen in sinks that haven't been used for a long time. Clear the clog by using a combination of baking soda, white vinegar and hot water.
Why does it smell like sewer under my kitchen sink?
If you haven't used your kitchen sink's drainage pipes in a while, it can cause a bad smell. Drain lines have a trap that blocks the sewer smells from getting into your kitchen via the sink, and when you don't use the sink, the water from the trap evaporates.
How to remove a P trap?
Step 2: Place a bucket or dish pan under the trap to catch any water that might come out as the trap is being removed. Step 3: Unscrew the slip joint nuts on each side of the "J" section of the trap.
What is under the sink drain?
The pieces you will most commonly see under your sink are: a tailpiece, slip joint nuts, a "J" shaped trap ("J" bend), a waste arm and a section of pipe coming from the wall. Together, these pieces are commonly referred ...
How to untighten slip joint nuts?
Once the slip joint nuts are loose, continue to untighten them by hand and remove the trap. Remember to have your bucket handy! This is where it can get messy as there is usually water in the bend of the "J". Step 5: With the trap removed, you will notice that in between the slip joint nut and trap there is an o-ring.
How to stop a trap from scratching?
If you have a metal or decorative finish on your trap, use a strap wrench to prevent scratching the finish. Or, you can use masking or duct tape on the inside of your pliers to prevent scratching the finish.
Why do you put a bucket under the sink?
Be sure to have a bucket under the drain because there will be water in the bottom of the trap. Some find it helpful to place a towel, or piece of masking tape over the sink and/or faucet to remind themselves and others not to use the sink while unassembled.
What to use to keep hair from draining?
If you find that a lot of hair goes down the drain in your household, you may consider purchasing a stainless steel mesh strainer for your lavatory, tub or shower. These strainers are an inexpensive, easy to clean way to help keep your drain from clogging with hair so frequently.
Can you take a soap trap to another sink?
It's also not a bad idea to take the trap to another sink and rinse it out, this will remove any left over soap scum or residue that could contribute to another clog in the future. With all the parts cleaned up you can now begin to reassemble the trap.
How To Clean a P-Trap (4 Steps)
While cleaning a P-trap is easy, the procedure can differ from one P-trap to another. The plumbing traps under the sinks are generally the easiest to clean. Toilet, shower, or tub P-traps are not removable, but there are ways to clean them effortlessly. Here’s how.
Why Clean a P Trap?
The main reason to clean the P-trap is to clear it from clogs, but you may also want to clean it if it emits foul odors.
How Often Do You Need To Clean P-Trap?
You should clean the P-trap with a chemical plunger or an auger when you have drainage issues. To prevent clogging, you should also clean the trap with a baking soda and white vinegar solution about once a month.
Cleaning P Trap Without Removing It
Removing the P-trap is not always possible, but there are ways to clean it without removing or replacing it.
3 Signs You Need A New P-Trap
If cleaning the P-trap didn’t solve the clogging issue, or if the trap keeps clogging over and over again, the problem could be an excess mineral build-up. While you could use various chemicals to remove it, the task is often tedious. In most cases, buying a new trap and replacing the old one is not only faster but also cheaper.
P Trap Cleaning Tools Available
This cleaning tool is an innovative plunger-auger hybrid with an included garbage bag. It is an excellent choice for cleaning sinks, tubs, and shower drains.
Summary
As you’ve noticed, there are various ways to clean a P-trap, based on its location. We hope this guide can help you solve the problem quickly and effortlessly. However, you should always remember that if you’re in doubt, the best solution is to hire a plumber.
How to clean a sink trap with dish soap?
Once the water is being drained out properly, mix the remaining boiling water with a few drops of dish soap. Reheat the water, if needed. Then, pour it down the drain. This should help clean down any residue from the sink trap.
How to unclog a sink trap?
Move the plunger up and down vigorously for approximately 20 seconds. Make sure to pop the plunger off during the final upstroke. This will create additional pressure that might help to unclog the sink trap. If the drain is still clogged, keep on plunging.
How to get rid of a clogged sink?
Then, mix a cup of vinegar with a cup of boiling water and pour this down the drain, as well. Let this sit for around half an hour, then rinse it with boiling water again. Overall, there are plenty of home remedies for clogged drains.
Why does my sink drain so slowly?
However, as time goes by , dirt, debris, and hair can build up in that bend. This can cause the sink to drain much slower than regularly, sometimes clogging it entirely. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to learn how to clean a sink trap on your own.
Why turn on faucet when sink is draining?
Turn the faucet on to ensure there are no leaks. If the water is draining normally, congratulations! You’re done cleaning up your sink trap.
How to get hair out of a sink trap?
Use a wire or a coat hanger to clear any obstructions. Bend one end of either of the two so it’s shaped like a hook. Stick this end into the sin k trap then pull. This will help you get out any hair clumps, paper, or some other harsh obstruction.
What goes on the tailpiece of a drain?
It’s important to have in mind the correct order that these parts go in. First, you have the slip joint nut that goes onto the tailpiece. Next goes the O-ring. Finally, you have the threaded tap end. The same goes for both the side that goes to the drain and the other side that connects to the wall.
How to clear a clogged sink trap?
To clear the clog, you will need to clean your sink trap. For mild clogs, use a plunger or a baking soda solution to clean your sink trap and remove the clog. For more stubborn clogs, you may need to remove your sink trap to clean it properly. Steps.
Where is the sink trap located?
Look under your sink and locate a pipe with a J or P-like curve. This is your sink trap. The sink trap is located in between the tail pipe and the waste pipe. The tail pipe is the pipe that connects directly to your sink, and the waste pipe is the pipe that connects to the wall.
What are the O rings on a sink trap?
The O-rings are used to seal the connection between the sink trap and the tail and waste pipes. Take a picture of the trap before you remove it to help you reassemble the sink trap correctly. Clog the waste pipe with a cloth or rag to prevent sewer gases from entering your home.
What to do if sink is clogged?
If your sink is still clogged, then you may need to remove your sink trap to clean it properly.
How much water do you put in a sink plunger?
Fill your sink until the plunger is completely submerged in the water, about 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) of water. The water will suction your plunger to the sink.
What to do if you have a double sink?
If you have a double sink, then you will need to cover the other sink’s drain with a wet rag or another type of cover. This will prevent water from spewing out of the sink’s drain while you plunge the other drain.
How to get grease out of sink?
Then, add a few drops of dish soap to the water and agitate it with a spoon or spatula. Pour the water down your drain. The boiling water should clear away any remaining residue in your sink trap. The dish soap helps remove grease and oil.
