One of the least fun parts of plumbing is cleaning out that nasty little thing called a p-trap under your sink.   It seams that is holds every nasty thing you could possibly put in your sink, then it ferments for several years…Nasty!

What exactly is this piece of pluming for?  Why is it called a ‘P’ Trap? Why would you put a piece of plumbing in that plugs up so easy?

- A P-trap and an S-trap are made to stop gas (mainly methane) from coming back into your house.  If you are wondering what methane can do watch “Christmas Vacation” with Chevy Chase.  His brother in law dumps his camper’s sewer into the storm drain, releasing ignitable gas, then blows himself up – funny movie but good example of why you should use a p-trap.   This gas is not only flammable but it also carries quite a bad odor…knowing where it came from should help you realize this:).

- The ‘P’ in p-trap actually comes from its shape.  Look at the side profile and imagine a p and there it is (without the back, but still a p).  The side profile of an ‘S’ trap is of course you guessed it – an S.

- This thing plugs up fast because it holds water, oil, soap, shaving cream, food and whatever else you can put in it (if it is rised out well most stuff will just go down the drain)…The nature of the thing holding water is actually the reason it can block air.   Water holds a level under the lowest level of the wall drain, water is actually trapped by gravity making an air tight seal in the plumbing (this is difficult to visualize without a drawing, see below.)

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