Replacing a Bathroom Sink Trap
What is a Sink Trap
A sink trap is called that because it traps the sewer gases from coming back up the drain and allowing foul odors into your home. It is identified by the U-shaped pipe directly under your sink drain. Because of its shape, it holds the draining water from completely going into the sewer, creating a wedge between the sewer gases and the room above. Sink traps are essential, and if yours is leaking or corroding, then it probably needs to be replaced. If you have a metal trap, you might want to think about replacing it with PVC. PVC is stronger and will last longer than metal. It won't corrode, and it's easy to work with.
Removing the Old Sink Trap
If an old sink trap is corroded it can be a little difficult to remove. If you find you can't turn the large nuts with a pipe wrench you might want to try spraying them with some WD-40 and letting them sit for a half hour. If they still won't turn, you will have to cut them off with a hacksaw. You must be very careful working with corroded metal, as it breaks easily. It is also sharp and can cut you, so be sure to wear gloves. If you have PVC already, the nuts should easily turn and you can remove the entire assembly without too much trouble. Remember that the pipe is filled in the U with standing water and debris that has been washed down the sink. Keep a bucket under the pipe as you remove it to catch all of this nasty water. Keep a rag handy also to wipe up drips and spills immediately.
Installing the New Trap
Before you begin to put the new trap in, clean the ends of the connecting pipes. Use a regular household cleaner and a scrubber and make sure you get any gunk and old gasket particles off. Then take a clean damp rag and wipe it off. The trap will come assembled or in two separate pieces. If yours came in two pieces you can put them together before you attach them under the sink. The nuts couplings for these pipes use self sealing gaskets and large nuts. You simply place the nut on the tail piece and drain pipe, place the trap assembly over the existing pipe and hand tighten the nuts. If you feel they are not tight enough or they leak, tighten the nuts with a wrench. But don't over tighten or you will distort the gaskets and have a problem with the joints leaking later on. If any part of your assembly is too long, you can shorten it with a hacksaw and then sand down any burrs from the cutting.
Tags: Sink Trap, Bathroom Sink, , large nuts, might want, nuts with
