Getting to Know Your Plumbing Better

General Manager, Mike Shoup

Hello, this is Mike Shoup, General Manager here at 3rd Rock Plumbing, NC License Number 35010.

P-Trap Purpose in Plumbing

Have you ever wondered what the purpose is of those "J" bends underneath each one of your sinks? And why they are shaped the way they are?

These are better known as P-traps and every single fixture in your household must have one. You may not be able to see the ones for your tub, shower or washing machine drain, but they are there just below the fixture or behind the wall.

Your toilet also has one as well; they are just molded into the bowl of the toilet itself. For some toilet bowls you can actually see the impression if you look closely.

The purpose of these traps is actually to prevent sewer gases from entering into your residence.

Each one of these traps or bends holds just the correct amount of water, to keep that stinky, rotten, harmful smell out of your home.

Easy Fix to a Stinky Problem

That is why, if you have any fixtures like a sink, tub or any other fixture

that don't get used once every blue moon, I would suggest pouring a small amount of water down these fixture(s.) Because yes, water in those neglected traps will evaporate over time and that horrible odor will then seep out and fill up your house. And often, it takes time to locate just where and what the cause of that smell can be.

Just use those appliances or fixtures every few months to make sure those sewer gases do not escape and to refresh the water sitting in the trap.

Believe me, I have gotten numerous calls about this very situation and once I flush water through, the problem is solved.

I just wanted to share a little piece of wisdom with you all, potentially save you a bit of money and thank you for thinking of us here at 3rd Rock Plumbing. 👍

Mike Shoup, General Manager