Sink traps are designed to catch any debris, food particles, and grime coming into the drain; thus, you may need to clean a sink trap to prevent clogs and slow drainages over time. Sink traps are essential to keep the sink drain free of food particles and other materials from outside. Although many kitchen sink traps are self-cleaning, some users also like to clean these traps once a month to prevent unnecessary buildup.
Thus, knowing the correct way of cleaning a sink trap is essential. Today, we will discuss in detail the complete process to clean a sink trap. Since it is necessary to clean the trap regularly to prevent any blockages and unpleasant odors, we will discuss all the ways you can go about this process.Â
When To Clean A Sink TrapÂ
As we have said, most sink traps are self-cleaning. However, some traps must be manually cleaned to prevent unnecessary buildup. This being said an excellent time to clean your bottle trap is when there is snow drainage of water from the sink. You should also clean the trap when you notice a blockage in the sink.Â
Lastly, you should clean the sink trap when the trap starts to get older. This is because the older the trap receives, the lesser its ability to clean itself. At times, replacing the trap becomes the only solution, as the cleaning process can damage some of its components. Also, note that LS Plumber Singapore offers drain cleaning, clear floor top, and drainage pipe choke services.
Cleaning Equipment Needed For Sink Trap CleaningÂ
You will need some plumbing and cleaning supplies for the sink cleaning process. Some important equipment you are going to need includeÂ
- Small and large buckets to contain water and prevent spillage
- Pliers
- Wrenches
- Small scrubs
- Cleaning brushes
- Old toothbrush
- Old rags or cleaning cloths
- Dish soap
- Rubber glovesÂ
How To Clean A Sink Trap – Step-by-Step Guide
Here is the step-by-step guide to clean a sink trapÂ
1. Prepare The AreaÂ
Before you begin the process to clean the trap, you will have to prepare the area. Clean the area and remove any unnecessary materials around the trap, such as toilet rolls and shampoo bottles. You will have to remove any drawers, or other equipments present around the sink trap as well.
Once the area is clear of obstruction, you can place a bucket under the sink to catch any spillage of water. The bucket will also see any other debris falling from the sink.
2. Dismantle The Sink TrapÂ
In the next step, you must dismantle the sink trap from the sink drain. The sink trap has two ends. One end is attached to the sink drain, and the other to the waste pipe. First, use manual force to turn the two ends in opposite directions and dismantle the trap.
If the trap is attached too tightly, you can use wrenches and pliers to loosen it. Once the trap has been loosened, you can turn it with your hands to detach it from the pipes. Avoid dropping the sink trap, as you may create a big mess.Â
3. Clean The Sink TrapÂ
Once the trap has been removed, you can dump the trap into a waste bucket to remove any trash. Once all material has been removed, you can place the trap in a bucket full of water and start the cleaning process.
Mix a small amount of soap or a cleaning solution to clean the trap. Use an old toothbrush and scrub the trap on all sides. Once you have washed all the sides, rinse the trap with warm water to remove any unnecessary dirt and debris.Â
4. Reassemble The TrapÂ
Once you have gone through the complete process to clean a sink drain trap, you can reassemble the trap by following the disassembly steps in the reverse order. Ensure that all the pipes are tightly connected and that all the nuts are correctly fastened. Be careful not to overtighten the screws, as you can damage the pipes and the trap.Â
Once the trap has been installed, you can open the tap and check the water drainage. Ensure there is no blockage or spillage from the sink, as both these situations can indicate a problem with the sink or the trap.Â
ConclusionÂ
We have discussed in detail the process to clean a sink trap. The process is simple and straightforward and requires no extra effort. You can do regular cleanings yourself. Disassembly can be tricky for some users, but all other steps are pretty simple.
Traps that have not been cleaned for a long time can be hard to clean and might even need replacement. You can hire professional companies offering sink trap cleaning Singapore services to do the cleaning job for you as well.Â