If you’ve ever had issues with the way your plumbing system drains water, you’ve probably heard the term “p-trap”. While it’s a simple device that’s an integral part of modern plumbing, surprisingly few homeowners know what it is, much less what it does. In short, it’s a bend in the piping below most sinks that resembles the shape of the letter “P” – hence the name “p-trap”.
Under normal circumstances, p-traps usually retain a small amount of water. This is critical to the proper functioning of a p-trap, since the bend and the water help to prevent noxious gases like methane from traveling up into your home from the sewer or septic system. In addition, your humble p-trap can help catch objects inadvertently dropped down a drain, like jewelry or keys. If you’re having problems with your sink or toilet not properly draining, it could be that some simple maintenance of this important device could be all it takes to fix the problem.