What Does a P-Trap Do in a Plumbing System in Arlington Heights, IL?

Why Do Arlington Heights Homes Have P-Traps?

What does a P-trap do? If your home in Arlington Heights didn’t have a P-trap, you would smell sewer fumes all the time. It would be unpleasant at best, and it could potentially make you sick.

These pipes also help trap debris before it gets whisked away into the main line of your sewer system, causing major clogs somewhere hard to reach. If you drop jewelry or buttons down the sink, you should be able to retrieve them from the P-trap. 

Types of P-Traps

PVC

They’re lightweight and easy to put together and take apart, making them ideal for plumbers doing all the work. They also won’t corrode or have chemical reactions with acids, making them safer to have in your home since you won’t have to worry about them suddenly springing a leak.

Brass or Steel

Exposed P-traps may be steel or brass for aesthetic appeal. They certainly fit the decor better, but unlike PVC pipes, these will corrode over time due to water. You can count on replacing these at some point.

S-Trap

These do the same thing, but the S-trap isn’t as efficient. It traps debris and catches water much less effectively than the P-trap, meaning you’ll end up with clogs and sewer gases in your home far more often. You actually aren’t allowed to use S-traps anymore due to their safety concerns, so you likely won’t have to deal with these unless you buy an old home. 

How Do P-Traps Work?

What does a P-trap do to save your life? It holds water. Yes, it’s that simple.

The P-trap holds water in the curvy portion and fills up just enough on both sides of the curve that sewer gas can’t pass through. The water physically blocks gases from entering your home.

There will always be water in your P-trap, so you should always put towels and a container under the sink if you go to do some DIY repairs. Water will drain out when you detach the P-trap. 

What To Do If the P-Trap Dries Up

P-traps can eventually dry out if they aren’t used enough. You probably won’t deal with this often in your daily life, but if you have a vacation home, you don’t visit often, or you leave your house for a week while on vacation, you might notice sewer smells when you return. This is because the pipes are dry, and the smells have come in.

Here’s what to do if your P-traps dry up:

• Run Water: Turn on your sink and tub for a few seconds and flush the toilet. Doing so will allow water to run through the system, and some water will be left behind, once again preventing gases from entering your home.
• Check the Vent Stack: Each house has a vent stack on the roof that allows air to flow through the plumbing system. If the vent stack gets clogged with leaves or small animals, air can’t come through the system, resulting in dried-out P-traps. Unclog the stack if you can safely do so so that air can circulate properly again. 

Call Stellar Plumbing for Service in Arlington Heights, IL

If you suspect your P-traps have problems in your home in Arlington Heights, IL, give Stellar Plumbing a call today. We can inspect all the traps to determine where the problem lies. We can unclog or repair the P-traps so they can stop harmful sewer gas from entering your home. We’re happy to answer all your burning questions, including “What does a P-trap do?” and “Does a shower drain need a trap?” 

Call Now (773) 908-9375