P-trap ?

[tow653]

We are empty nesters,with a finished basement that has a full and a half bath. How long before the water in the P-traps evaporates,and sewer gas smell occurs? Thanks,just want to know how often I should run water in fixtures that don't get used very often.

 

[BWSSR]

i would run HOT water thru about once a month...helps keep all the drain lines lower than these clear....easy and fast....

 

[LD1]

I would second the once a month thing. But how long it takes to evap cannot be pinpointed exactly. Smaller 1-1/4" traps hold less water than 1-1/2 ones and will evap quicker. Is your basement damp/wet or do you run a dehumidifier? etc etc.

Is the trap plated brass? or plastic?

IF the plastic kind, you can usually shine a bright flashlight through it from the back side and can see the water level. Kinda like when filling a plastic gas can and its hard to see and you shine a light on it...

 

[jlgurr]

I'd simply wait until you smell the gas then fill them back up.

 

[randy41]

plug the drains.

 

[bigtiller]

We have a whirlpool tub that never gets used anymore. 2 or maybe 3 times a year it starts to smell so I put a quart of water down it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If you are never going to use it, fill the P trap with RV antifreeze and it will stay full almost forever.

 

[bigtiller]

If you are never going to use it, fill the P trap with RV antifreeze and it will stay full almost forever.

Thats a good idea, maybe Mrs bigtiller can borrow a cup of antifreeze from one of here church-lady friends that camp. We quit camping years ago because our closest neighbor is 1/2 mile away.

 

[Ed of all trades]

Some plumbers use veg oil for that.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Some plumbers use veg oil for that.

Problem with that is that veg oil will get stale and smell after a while and likely attract roaches who love the grease.

 

[mrmikey]

Why not just plug the overflow with a piece of tape and put the plug in the sink....Mike

**EDIT**
Oops, never noticed Randys post, he beat me to it

 

[EarPlug]

Problem with that is that veg oil will get stale and smell after a while and likely attract roaches who love the grease.

Use Mineral Oil instead.

 

[Bird]

i would run HOT water thru about once a month...helps keep all the drain lines lower than these clear....easy and fast....

At a plumber's recommendation, I put Bio-Clean in warm (not hot) water in every drain in the house the first of every month just as a preventative treatment.

Amazon.com - Bio-clean Drain Septic Bacteria (2 lb.) - Chemical Drain Openers

 

[Ed of all trades]

Use Mineral Oil instead.

I stand corrected It was mineral oil. Thanks.

 

[mikim]

I always used pine sol in the toilet & drains at our country place when we weren't going to be there for sometime. Kept it from evaporating and smelled good too.

 

[Cat_Driver]

Here's what I do in the 117 degree temps where drains dry out in weeks. We use a good tape and seal all the drains when we leave and never had a problem.

 

[Toyboy]

Mineral oil works long term. Use it all the time. Cooking oil for short term...vacations etc. Tablespoon of either one is all you need. Mineral oil is used on your cutting boards also.