Have you ever dropped something down the drain of your sink?
It’s a frustrating and common occurrence that can leave you feeling helpless. But fear not, opening the P-trap under your sink is easier than you might think.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to remove and inspect the P-trap, so you can retrieve your lost item or clear a clog.
Whether you’re a seasoned handyman or a novice DIYer, our easy-to-follow instructions will have you feeling like a plumbing pro in no time.
So let’s get started!
How To Open P-trap Under Sink
Step 1: Prepare for the task
Before you start, make sure you have the necessary tools and equipment. You’ll need a pair of pliers or a wrench, a flashlight, a bowl or bucket, and some rubber gloves.
If the faucet is running, turn it off to prevent washing away whatever you dropped down the drain.
Step 2: Locate the P-trap
Get under your sink and examine the setup. You should be able to see the drainpipe, a u-shaped bend, and a pipe that goes into the wall. The u-shaped bend section is your P-trap; it will be made of PVC, chrome, or possibly black ABS.
Step 3: Remove the P-trap
Place a bowl or bucket underneath the P-trap to catch any water that’s about to come out. Loosen the lock nuts holding either end of the P-trap to the other pipes with a wrench or pliers, then with your hands. Pull the P-trap off with a downward tug and inspect it for lost items.
If you find any lost items, do a small jig. If not, look for any debris that may be clogging your drain. Use rubber gloves for this part if necessary. Rinse the trap out in a faucet to flush out any stubborn goobers.
Step 4: Check for corrosion or leakage
Check for any corrosion or leakage in the rubber gaskets that seal the nuts. Replacements can be bought at your local hardware store for pence. Corroded nuts or even the pipe itself can be easily and cheaply replaced.
Step 5: Re-attach the P-trap
If everything checks out, reattach the P-trap by tightening the lugs on either end first with your hands and then with pliers or a wrench. Keep the bowl underneath and run the sink to make sure things aren’t leaking. If they are, make sure the nuts are threaded correctly.
Tools And Materials Needed
To open the P-trap under your sink, you’ll need the following tools and materials:
1. Pliers or wrench: You’ll need a pair of slip-joint pliers or a wrench to loosen and remove the nuts holding the P-trap in place.
2. Flashlight: A flashlight will come in handy to help you see what you’re doing under the sink.
3. Bowl or bucket: You’ll need a bowl or bucket to catch any water or debris that comes out of the P-trap.
4. Rubber gloves: If you need to inspect the P-trap for lost items or debris, rubber gloves will protect your hands from getting dirty.
5. Replacement parts: If you find any corrosion or leakage in the rubber gaskets or nuts, you may need to replace them. Make sure to have replacement parts on hand before you start the job.
6. PVC cutter or hacksaw (if necessary): If you need to cut any pipes to remove the P-trap, you’ll need a PVC cutter or hacksaw.
Turn Off Water Supply
Before you start removing the P-trap, you should turn off the water supply to your sink. This is important to prevent any water from flowing out while you’re working on the trap. However, you don’t need to shut off the water supply to your entire house. Simply turn off the faucet of the sink you’re working on.
Even though the water is turned off, there will still be some water in the P-trap. It’s recommended that you place a bucket or bowl underneath the trap before you start working. This will catch any water that may spill out when you remove the P-trap.
If you’re unsure where your water supply is located, look for a valve or knob under your sink. Turn it clockwise to shut off the water supply. If you can’t find a valve under your sink, then you may need to shut off the main water supply to your house.
Once you’ve turned off the water supply, wait a few minutes before removing the P-trap. This will allow any remaining water in the trap to drain out and make it easier to work on.
Prepare For The Job
Before you start opening the P-trap under your sink, you need to prepare for the task. Here are the steps you should follow:
Step 1: Gather the necessary tools and equipment
You’ll need a few things to open the P-trap under your sink. These include a pair of pliers or a wrench, a flashlight, a bowl or bucket, and some rubber gloves. Make sure you have everything you need before you start.
Step 2: Turn off the faucet
If the faucet is running, turn it off before you start. This will prevent anything you drop down the drain from being washed away.
Step 3: Locate the P-trap
Get under your sink and examine the setup. You should be able to see the drainpipe, a u-shaped bend, and a pipe that goes into the wall. The u-shaped bend section is your P-trap; it will be made of PVC, chrome, or possibly black ABS.
Step 4: Place a bowl or bucket underneath the P-trap
Place a bowl or bucket underneath the P-trap to catch any water that’s about to come out. This will prevent any mess from getting all over your cabinets and floor.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to open the P-trap under your sink and inspect it for any issues or clogs.
Locate And Remove P-Trap
To locate and remove the P-trap, start by identifying its location under the sink. The P-trap is a u-shaped bend in the drainpipe that connects to the sink tailpiece and the neighboring wall fitting.
To remove the P-trap, place a bowl or bucket underneath to catch any water that may come out. Use pliers or a wrench to loosen the lock nuts holding either end of the P-trap to the other pipes. Make sure to stabilize the connecting pipe with one hand while unscrewing a nut with the other hand to avoid twisting any supporting pipes.
It’s important to keep in mind that water can start to fall from the pipe the second you loosen a nut, depending on how full the P-trap is. Once you have removed the trap, dump its contents into the bucket.
Inspect the trap for lost items or debris that may be clogging your drain. Use rubber gloves if necessary and rinse the trap out in a faucet to flush out any stubborn goobers.
Check for any corrosion or leakage in the rubber gaskets that seal the nuts. If replacements are needed, they can be bought at your local hardware store for pence. Corroded nuts or even the pipe itself can be easily and cheaply replaced.
To reattach the P-trap, tighten the lugs on either end first with your hands and then with pliers or a wrench. Keep the bowl underneath and run the sink to make sure things aren’t leaking. If they are, make sure the nuts are threaded correctly.
Inspect P-Trap
Once you have removed the P-trap, take a closer look at it to inspect for any signs of damage or wear. Check for any cracks, rust, or other signs of corrosion that may indicate that the trap needs to be replaced.
Make sure to inspect the rubber gaskets that seal the nuts and make sure they are in good condition. If they are damaged, replace them with new ones.
Also, check the interior of the P-trap for any debris or clogs that may be causing drainage problems. Use a small cleaning brush to remove any stubborn debris stuck to the pipe walls.
If you have a metal P-trap, be especially vigilant in inspecting for rust or corrosion. These issues can cause leaks and potentially damage your plumbing system.
If you notice any issues with your P-trap during inspection, it may be necessary to replace it entirely. Consult with a licensed plumber to ensure that your new P-trap is installed correctly and meets local building codes.
Reassemble The P-Trap
After inspecting and cleaning the P-trap, it’s time to reassemble it. Start by replacing the drain line end, then reconnect the tailpiece to the sink. Keep any slip nut connections loose for now.
Next, connect the sink side of the P-trap to the tailpiece and position the drain line end to align with the drainpipe. The drainpipe slides into the wall with some adjustability for length, easing the final connection to the P-trap.
Each beveled washer is placed so that the large end contacts the slip nut. When tightened, a slip nut eases the washer into a leak-free connection. It’s important to note that you should not use plumbing tape or putty on any of these connections. Some plumbers use plumber’s grease on threaded connections, but that’s not necessary.
Tighten all the connections by hand, being careful not to overtighten them as this can risk distorting the washer or cracking the pipe. Once all the fittings are secured, run two tests.
First, turn on the tap and run water through the sink while inspecting the P-trap connections for leaks. Second, fill the sink basin with a couple of inches of water, then remove the drain plug and let the water flow through the trap. If you have a leak, loosen the slip nut where the leak appears, inspect the placement of the washers, then reinstall.
Most leaks happen because a washer is installed incorrectly or because a slip nut is threaded improperly or overtightened. By carefully reassembling your P-trap and conducting thorough tests, you can ensure that your sink will function properly without any leaks or clogs.