A drain trap, also referred to as a U-bend or P-trap by some, is a pipe structure commonly found under your sink. This curved piece of pipe traps water within it, forming a plug that keeps sewer gases from flowing back up the pipe and into your home. This trap is also a frequent destination for hair, grease and other solid debris that forms the bulk of a clog.
Because of a drain trap's design, heavy objects that fall down the drain often become stuck at the bottom of the trap. Some drain traps have a special cap on the bottom, which you can unscrew to allow such objects to fall out easily, preventing them from becoming the core of a clog.
There are a few reasons why you would need to remove a drain trap, including:
The first two examples are the most common reasons why you would want to remove your drain trap. For example, many people have a story about a family member who was washing the dishes or rinsing off their hands when their ring, watch, or bracelet slipped off their hand and went down the drain. In the event of such a catastrophe, quickly shutting off the faucet and removing the drain trap is the surest way to retrieve the jewelry before it can become damaged.
First, you are going to need the following:
These items are fairly common and can be found at your local hardware store quite readily. If you are replacing the drain trap entirely, be sure to have an accurate measurement of the size of your existing trap on hand so that you can buy a replacement that will fit correctly.
Once you have the appropriate tools on hand for the job, you are ready to begin removing your drain trap.
Cleaning or replacing a drain trap is a relatively simple plumbing operation for any homeowner. Whether you need to recover that diamond engagement ring or just need to clear a stubborn clog from your pipes, with a little know-how and effort, you can easily save yourself a plumbing headache.
If, however, you find that your sink still backs up when you use it, you may have a clog further down the pipe, which may require more extensive efforts to clear. Should you need more advice regarding the plumbing of your home, or if you have a problem that you cannot fix, please do not hesitate to call your Sacramento sewer & drain experts for help. No job is too big or small for our experienced contractors.