Do you know what a p-trap is? That is the name for the pipe under your sink that is bent looking like a u. Every plumbing fixture needs to have a p-trap to prevent sewer gasses from leaking into your home. Your toilet has one of these, but it is internal, so you can’t always spot it from the outside.

A p-trap also keeps debris from going down into your plumbing system, causing clogs.

Depending on how the trap is made, there might be a removable plug that will let you access it to clean out debris that collects, but it might be necessary to take the whole pipe off to accomplish a cleaning. The way a p-trap prevents sewer gasses from seeping through is that there always is water standing in the pipe, forming a seal. Sewer gases don’t just smell bad, they are actually harmful to your health, so it is very important that you have a functioning p-trap.

Information Every Home Buyer in CA Should Know

Learn critical information from a home inspector's perspective that every home buyer in Califronia should know.

 

Don't buy a home without first getting this critical information - the difference could be years of dealing with a "money pit", or having the home of your dreams.

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