It happens to everyone. If you find a sink clogged, clean the drain trap. Drain traps can quickly become clogged with hair, food, and other debris. It is essential to clean them regularly to avoid damaging your plumbing system.
Most drain trap clogs are easy to fix! This DIY guide will show you how to clear a sink trap and get your pipes flowing again.
What is a Drain Trap?
The P-trap, also known as a drain trap, is the trap that forms between your plumbing line and your drain. It prevents harmful gases from returning the pipes to your bathroom or kitchen. It prevents hair, dirt, and any undesirable sludge, from getting through your pipes.
This trap also serves as a resting place for small items before they sink into the plumbing system. Did you ever drop a ring into the sink? You need to remove the drain trap and disassemble it to locate the ring. Many customers have lost their jewellery and called professional plumbers to retrieve it.
How to Clean the Drain Trap
A blockage usually causes clogs in your drain trap. Small clogs can be fixed by homeowners easily. This DIY guide will show you how to clean out your drain trap and get your pipes back to normal.
1. Prepare Your Work Space
Before you begin anything, make sure that you have all the necessary equipment. A bucket, wrench, pliers, and possibly a snake drain are necessary. Make sure you get rid of anything that may be under your sinks to make space. Place a bucket under your drain trap to catch any water that might spill out.
2. Disassemble the Drain Trap
Locate the drain trap first. Next, remove the slip joint nuts on either side of the trap's "j" bend. These will release the trap from the sink tailpiece and the adjacent wall fitting. You can also unscrew the drain tap by hand if you have a more recent sink. Older drain traps may be more difficult to remove and require you to use a wrench or pliers.
3. Remove the Drain Trap
Use a wire coat hanger or a bottle brush to clean the drain trap. It's essential to clean the trap well, as even tiny debris can cause a blockage.
If the drain trap is not clean when unscrewed, there could be a blockage further down in your pipes. Insert a drain snake into the pipe. Rotating the handle clockwise will allow you to remove any debris or blockages causing your clog.
4. Reassemble
Your clog problem is likely solved after cleaning the drain trap or snaking the pipe out of the wall. Screw the slip joint nuts on to assemble your drain trap. You must ensure that each washer is adequately tightened! To give the slip joint nuts a final twist, you can use a wrench or pliers to tighten them manually.
It's possible that your drain trap is leaking because you didn't tighten it enough. Be careful not to overdo it. It is possible to damage the washer by tightening it too much.
Calling a professional plumber
You may have noticed that your drain trap or pipe was clear, but the drain is still clogged. This could signify something more serious than a simple DIY fix. A professional plumber will inspect your pipes and restore your plumbing to normal.
You should choose a plumbing company committed to providing high-quality services to customers when you are looking for one.