Whenever water runs down your sink, do you ever stop to consider where it travels from there? While most of us probably won’t give that much thought, it is good to have a basic understanding of how your plumbing works. This can help you to figure out issues with your plumbing, as well as understand things that you should avoid.
The first stop for the water after it goes down the drain is the p-trap. The name comes from the shape of this section of drain pipe. You will find this connected to every single drain and appliance in your home because it is essential for keeping sewer gasses out of the living spaces.
Sewer gas is contained inside of the sewage pipes, and it can be harmful to your health as well as to your nose.
A p-trap works by sealing off the pipe using water that is covering the entire bend of the pipe. This allows for water and debris to travel through the bend, but it will not allow gasses to travel back when they are displaced by the running water. It’s a simple and elegant solution to the problem.
