Have you ever noticed that U-shaped length of pipe below your bathroom or kitchen sink? Does it ever seem to you like it doesn’t make sense to have that in there? It seems counterintuitive to have the water run any direction other than straight down.
Well, that little bend is the drain trap, and it keeps nasty odors and gases from wafting their way up through the plumbing and into your home. The U shape of the trap precludes the normal upward drift of the gases, so they don’t make it up through your drain.
After a while, these traps can become corroded, choked with debris or entirely clogged to such a degree that it needs to be replaced. When this happens, it is important to take care of this right away.
As with any plumbing project, if you have little experieince with this type job, call a professional Hagerstown plumber.
Here are the steps they will take to replace your drain trap:
- The first step is to turn off the main water supply.
- Next, they will remove all the pieces of the existing drain trap. Use a pipe wrench and/or slip-joint pliers to remove the nuts and pull the trap free. Attach a tailpiece washer to your new tailpiece, and then attach the tailpiece to the sink strainer.
- With a slip nut and washer, affix the trap arm to the drain stub.
- Finally, they will attach the trap bend to the trap arm, making sure the beveled face of the washer faces the trap bend.
- Tighten all the nuts and turn the water back on. Run a little water down the drain and check for leaks before using it.
Once everything is all sealed up, you’re good to go! Your new drain trap is in place and ready to use. If you need any plumbing repairs or replacements in Hagerstown, call Larry & Sons Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning!
