Is it unwise to remove the P-Traps under a sink early when doing a bathroom rehab?

Question

I started demo'ing my bathroom and I expect to put down time and new vanities in a week or so. Is it unwise to remove the existing fixtures? Will sewer gas (actually, I have septic) come into the house and make it smell worse than my 3 boys already have?

Can I just duct tape it shut?

Thanks!

Answer 1

The p-trap stops sewer gases from entering the house. Always make sure they have water in them. They also serve in case someone put someting in the drain you can retreive it. With children be extremely careful that this function is always there. There may be some times where you absolutely have to remove it. Only then should you do so.(Put drain P-trap back on if possible) Yes a temporary rag as needed will sufice. Notice I said temporary. Take care

Answer 2

I had kitchen and bath demo done, and the disassembled trap must be covered. I left the P-traps ON, however, for the simple reason that it is more efficient at keeping out the sewer gas and its smell by having the actual trap in place to hold the small amout of water (as when the sink is in place) than it is to remove it and cover a straight end with a rag or a cap. A rag or cap can become loose or leave small gaps and admit the gas. So, even though you have to work around a more obtrusive P-trap, if it remains during demo, there is no chance of sewer gas entering the house. And cover the P-trap so that the loose demo material cannot fall in and end up remaining inside the pipe. This works all around. Good luck!

Answer 3

All you have to do is cap the drain pipe behind the p-trap. No problem. Duct tape will work or a plastic bag placed over the end sealed with any type of tape will do the same thing. It would be easy to remove later when you install your new fixtures.

Answer 4

Everyone has a right answer. I'd just suggest that with 3 boys in the house I'd get a P trap that has a drain plug in the bottom to retrieve those small things boys put in drains. Saves having to remove the whole trap. Lost count of the times I had to remove a P trap to retrieve small chains, coins, teeth (had to clean it for the tooth fairy). etc I learned too late about the ones I mentioned.

Answer 5

RE: want help with leak in P capture less than bathing room sink? I undid the P capture less than my bathing room sink to sparkling a clog and now after I placed the entire component decrease back at the same time it leaks out of the best of the slip joint that connects the down pipe from the sink drain to the j-pipe. The down pipe is a million - a million/4" and the j-pipe is a million-a million/2" and that i'm utilising the...

Answer 6

you can just duct tape it,i usually just make a firm ball of toilet paper the right diam. to slip firmly into the pipe this pulls back out easily when re-install time comes and doesn't leave sticky residue to bother you when doing glue or slip joints.

Answer 7

no, a week shouldnt be that bad, at least mine didnt but still cap off the pipe to prevent items going down it

Answer 8

YEP DUCT TAPE IT ALSO KEEPS STUFF FROM FALLING INTO THE DRAIN DURING YOUR DESTRUCTION

Answer 9

sure you can duct tape it but be sure you have a clothespin for your nose when you open it back up.