A blocked p-trap will cause water backflow to occur. The first sign that your p-trap is clogged is when the water in your sink takes longer than average to flow down the sink.
Loosen the nuts at each end of the p-trap, then remove it by sliding it down. Empty it into the bucket, checking for any blockages. If you think it's going to take you some time to clean the trap properly, insert a wet rag at the end of the pipe that emerges from the wall so you can keep gas from coming out.
If you don't have a plumbing wrench, adjustable pliers can also help. Once the nuts are loose, slide them away from the p-trap and pull the trap out. You'll most likely find a lot of gunk inside the trap. Remove this with your fingers or run water through the trap into the bucket to flush out the gunk and any clogs.
This happens most often in winter. To prevent your P-trap from drying out, run the sink or shower for a minute or two once a week to keep water flowing and your P-traps from drying out. Are you having an issue with your P-trap running dry? Do you think a clogged drain or one of the issues above could be to blame?
Baking Soda and White Vinegar
It is also a relatively simple one – all you need to do is fill a cup with baking soda and pour it down your drain. Once you have done this, wait a few minutes and follow it with a cup of white vinegar. All you have to do now is let it work its bubbling magic.
Start by placing the plunger over the plughole and fill the bath or shower with enough water to cover the plungers head. You should also cover the overflow in the bath with duct tape or block it with the dishcloth. When you're ready, grip the plunger handle firmly and plunge up and down rapidly to create suction.
Check for a possible adjustable swivel connection where the P-trap elevates and becomes horizontal. If you are working on a PVC pipe P-trap, you should be able to loosen the nuts on either end with a little bit of strength. Then, turn them counterclockwise to loosen and unscrew.
Do not use any other Drano® product in toilets, as they do not contain microorganisms. Also, the trap configuration in toilets prevents these products from reaching areas where matter can accumulate and cause plumbing problems – so these products are ineffective in toilets.
Reasons why a P-trap loses water
There are a few factors that might cause the P-trap to have an insufficient amount of water: The water in the P-trap can evaporate due to excessively dry air conditions. Oscillation occurs when too much outside air enters the pipe, displacing the water out of the bowl.
If the P-trap is made of metal, inspect it for any signs of rust or deterioration—common issues that afflict older plumbing fittings. Should you encounter water leaks under the sink regularly, it likely means that the integrity of the P-trap has been compromised, necessitating immediate attention.
Pour some baking soda down your drain and then pour boiling water down after. Sometimes this will clear the clog. Use a plunger on your sink drain to try to force the clog out of the trap.
Unclog Drum Trap
Open the trap slowly, watching for water to well up around the threads. Take your manual or power auger and place it into the drum trap. If the trap is full, work the auger away from the tub toward the main drain. Auger back and forth.
In conclusion, sewage gasses, biofilm accumulation, bacterial development, and P-trap drying up can all be responsible for the foul odour emanating from a shower drain that appears to be unclogged.
Drain snakes also called drain rooters or augers, use a long cable with a spiral-shaped head.
This usually happens to a sink or appliance that hasn't been used in a long time. We generally see it in utility sinks or guest bathrooms. When the P-trap dries up there's no water and therefore, no seal. Simply run the water for 10-15 seconds to re-establish a seal and you should be good to go.
Cup of baking soda and vinegar: You can easily unclog a drain using equal parts baking soda and vinegar. Try putting the soda down the drain first before you get the cup of vinegar and 'rinse' the drain of the shower with it. You can also leave the solution in the drain for a while and check back later.
P-traps, named after their shape, contain a u-shaped bend that filters wastewater as it enters a plumbing system. The trap is connected to a sink, bathtub, and shower with a J-bend on one end and exits into your drainage system. The J-bend is the section of the p-trap that resembles the letter J.