How to Eliminate Odors Coming from Your Dry P-Trap

Many plumbing issues can cause an unpleasant smell to come from the drains. One of the most common culprits is a dry p-trap. The problem won't resolve itself, but how should an average homeowner go about it?

In this article, we'll provide a simple way of eliminating odors coming from a dry p-trap.

How to eliminate odors emanating from dry p-traps

The purpose of a p-trap is to trap water and prevent insects and sewer gasses from escaping out of the drain. If dry, the p-trap cannot perform its function correctly.

To eliminate odors coming from a dry p-trap, pour half a gallon of water into the trap to restore the barrier. It will prevent the odors from seeping through the drain. Another helpful method is to add a cup of white vinegar bleach to get rid of larvae and slow down the evaporation.

Instead of white vinegar, some people opt for bleach to remove larvae from their drains. However, due to bleach's corrosive nature, handling it can be dangerous. Therefore, wear safety goggles while pouring it, and don't add more than one cup of bleach to the p-trap.

How to prevent dry p-traps

Preventing dry-p traps works about the same as fixing one. More specifically, pour several gallons of water down the drains at least twice a year. It will go a long way to preventing dry p-traps, and by extension, clogged drains.

Is it safe to pour boiling water down the drain to fix a dry p-trap?

Many homeowners resort to pouring boiling water down their drains to repair a dry p-trap. This course of action is safe if the pipes are made of metal.

Still, water with a temperature above 175 degrees Fahrenheit can melt the joints of PVC pipes. For this reason, stick to cold water or water slightly below this temperature, and it should work like a charm.

What causes a dry p-trap?

Multiple scenarios can lead to dry p-traps. In most cases, a p-trap loses its water seal because it hasn't been used for a long time. Depending on the area, some p-traps can dry out in about three to five months if they don't experience any water use.

Additionally, the p-trap may be leaking, or something may have drained the water in the p-trap. For instance, waste materials such as fibers or clumps of hair commonly break water seals in p-traps.

Eliminate odors with ease

Dry p-traps can be a real pain in the neck and cause a lot of discomfort due to the stench and insects they bring to the surface. Luckily, dealing with one is an easy fix and only requires water, white vinegar, or bleach. Take swift action if a p-trap is dry, and don't let it contaminate the house with foul odors.

Edwards Plumbing LLC is a licensed and bonded family-owned plumbing company Gilbert Arizona, specializing in plumbing emergencies, repairs and renovations. We install and repair plumbing pipes, water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps, sewers, and more. Our competitive rates, honesty, experience serve residential and commercial plumbing customers. Call us at (480)680-9950.