Replacing A Bathroom Sink P Trap

Replacing a Bathroom Sink P Trap

The P trap is a U-shaped pipe under your bathroom sink that prevents sewer gases from entering your home. If your P trap is damaged or leaking, it can cause unpleasant odors or even health problems. Fortunately, replacing a bathroom sink P trap is a relatively simple and inexpensive DIY project.

Materials You'll Need

New P trap
Wrench or pliers
Putty knife or flathead screwdriver
Plumber's putty
Bucket or bowl

Steps

Turn off the water supply. Under the sink, locate the shut-off valves for the hot and cold water lines. Turn the valves clockwise to close them.
Disconnect the old P trap. Place a bucket or bowl under the P trap to catch any water that may spill. Use a wrench or pliers to loosen the nuts that hold the P trap in place. Once the nuts are loose, you can remove the old P trap.
Clean the drainpipe and trap adapter. Use a putty knife or flathead screwdriver to scrape away any old plumber's putty from the drainpipe and trap adapter. This will create a clean surface for the new P trap to seal against.
Apply plumber's putty to the P trap. Roll out a snake of plumber's putty and press it around the base of the P trap, where it will meet the drainpipe and trap adapter. Make sure to apply a thick layer of putty to create a watertight seal.
Install the new P trap. Align the P trap with the drainpipe and trap adapter, and hand-tighten the nuts until they are snug. Use a wrench or pliers to tighten the nuts further, but do not overtighten them.
Turn on the water supply. Open the shut-off valves for the hot and cold water lines. Check for any leaks around the P trap. If you see any leaks, tighten the nuts further until they stop.

Tips

If you are replacing the P trap because it is leaking, be sure to check the tailpipe for damage as well. The tailpipe is the pipe that connects the P trap to the drain in the sink.
If you are not comfortable replacing the P trap yourself, you can call a plumber for help.