How to Remove the P-Trap without a Plumbing Wrench

 

Most of us use plumbing wrench in order to tighten and also for removing plumbing pipes. However, if you want to remove a P-trap, it is not necessary for you to use a plumbing wrench. Other types of tools can also be used for removing a metal P-trap while for P-trap which is made of PVC, it is not necessary for you to use any tools at all. This is because sometimes you only need to use your bare hand to remove the P-trap from any of the pipes connected to your sink. Below are some of the tips that can help you remove your P-trap without using a plumbing wrench.

To remove the P-trap without a plumbing wrench, you need:

  • Bucket or bowl to be placed beneath your sink
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Tongue and groove pliers
  • Channel-lock pliers (optional if it is for a metal p-trap or for stubborn connections)
  • Rags
  • Old towel for mopping off any excess water)
  • New p-trap (optional if the existing p-trap is not in good condition)

Removing the P-Trap without a Plumbing Wrench

How to Remove the P-Trap without a Plumbing Wrench

  • The first thing that you need to do is to remove all items that you stored beneath your sink.
    • We normally placed our cleaning products under the sink’s cabinet. Therefore, all of the items should be removed to another place especially underneath the sink and around the P-trap so that you would be able to place your bucket or bowl below the P-trap

P-traps are used for keeping out sewer gasses from coming back into your house. It also helps you to trap grease; hair accumulates as well as small object that might slip into your drain. Overtime, your P-trap needs to be replaced with a new one.

  • Next step that you should do is to turn the clean-out plug that you see on the bottom of the P-trap.
    • It should be turned counterclockwise by using your adjustable wrench.
    • Once finished, you would be able to remove your clean-out plug thus allowing any excess water to be drained out into your bucket.

You must determine first whether your P-trap comes with a clean-out plug or not because not all P-traps are designed with clean-out plug.

  • Then, you have to twist the slip nut counterclockwise using a pair of tongue and groove pliers. The slip nut connects your P-trap to the drain tailpiece
    • As for P-trap and slip nuts which are made from PVC, you only need to use your hand. Just pull your P-trap downward so that you would be able to allow the tailpiece to slip out of your P-trap.
  • Usually at the end of your P-trap that connects to your horizontal drainpipe, you will notice another slip nut.
    • You need to twist and turn the slip nut counter-clockwise by using your pliers. For P-trap and slip nuts which are made from PVC, you only need to use your hand.
  • Finally, you would be able to remove your P-trap.
    • Make sure to dump out any debris that you found in your P-trap and put it into the bucket that you have placed beneath the sink.

    Always remember that whenever you want to remove the P-trap without using your plumbing wrench,

    • You must ensure to loosen up your sink’s mounting bolts at the wall. You need to do this step if the pedestal fits into a notch or groove where your sink is normally being placed on. You only need to loosen up the mounting bolts just slightly in order to gain enough movement for the sink to be raised a little bit to allow your pedestal to slide out from beneath it.
    • Always remember not to over tighten your mounting bolts because it can result to cracking of your porcelain.
    • Make sure that you measure your pipes correctly before you purchase your replacement parts or even getting a new PVC kit.
    • Whether your pipes are made of metal or PVC, it will a lot easier for you to install a new PVC type of P-trap.
    • Once you managed to remove the P-trap, you might want to stuff the pipe using a small rag or plastic cover and secure it using rubber bands in order to avoid unpleasant gasses from coming into your kitchen room.

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