The P-trap is the U-shaped bend under every drain, and its job is to hold water. When it dries out, odors follow. Here is the New Orleans guide.
What the trap does
The P-trap holds a plug of water that seals the drain, keeping sewer gas from rising into the room. As long as it is full, the seal holds.
Why traps dry out
A drain that is rarely used — a guest bath, a floor drain, a basement sink — can dry out by evaporation. A leak in the trap also empties it.
The fix
Run water into every drain regularly, especially the unused ones. A little water restores the seal instantly.
The deeper cause
If a trap keeps drying out quickly, a leak or a venting problem may be siphoning it. humid conditions and older housing stock mean corroded fittings and slow drains show up often In New Orleans, a pro can check.
Seal the drains
A few seconds of running water solves most odor problems. Call 888-217-3585 and New Orleans Home Plumbing Co will match you with a New Orleans pro if it returns.
Plumbing in New Orleans: what to know
In New Orleans, humid conditions and older housing stock mean corroded fittings and slow drains show up often. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Orleans County — from Gretna, Westwego and Harahan to ZIP codes like 70128, 70127, 70126 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in New Orleans?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and New Orleans Home Plumbing Co will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in New Orleans.