I've got a double sink in my master bathroom, but since I live alone, I mainly use just one side. A while back, I removed the U-shaped pipe from the unused sink to make some room for my new skincare fridge. Now, I've noticed a really bad smell coming from the open pipe whenever I run water at the sink. I didn't think this would affect the other side since I only use one, but I guess I was wrong. Can anyone explain why this is happening and if I can just put a stopper on the open pipe instead of reinstalling the U-shaped pipe?
3 Answers
The U-shaped pipe you're talking about is called a P-trap, and its main job is to keep sewer gases from coming back into your bathroom. Without it, those smells can travel straight up the open pipe. Honestly, the best fix is to just reinstall the P-trap or find another way to secure that pipe—like a proper cap—to avoid any odors.
You nailed it with the P-trap! It's crucial because it holds a bit of water that acts as a barrier against those nasty sewer gases. Even if the other sink isn't used, they're connected through the same drain line, so running water affects both sides. I'd recommend reinstalling the trap or properly capping the pipe to eliminate the odor.
Yeah, definitely cap it the right way—don’t leave it open or use temporary fixes. Gases can leak back into your home that way!
I've dealt with a similar situation! If you really want to use the space, you could also pour a bit of vegetable oil into the drain before not using it for a while. The oil will stay in the P-trap and can help keep the smell at bay up until you reinstall the trap or cap the pipe. Just remember to add more oil if you don’t use the sink often!
Totally agree! Just make sure to cap it properly with a plumbing cap, not just plastic or tape for a long-term solution.