The curved pipe under every sink is a trap, and it holds a small pool of water that seals out sewer gas. It is the simplest and most important part of the drain system.
The curve
The trap bends in a U or an S shape, and water naturally settles in the bottom of the curve. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Norfolk, that standing water blocks gases from the sewer from rising into the room.
The seal
The water in the trap is the seal, and it works as long as it stays put. Evaporation, siphoning, or a leak breaks the seal and lets odors through.
The flow
Wastewater flows through the trap and into the drain line, and the water that stays behind refreshes the seal. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Norfolk, the trap catches small items before they reach the wall.
The vent
A vent on the drain side keeps the pressure balanced so the trap does not get sucked dry. A gurgling drain usually means a venting problem.
The clogs
The trap is the first place hair and debris collect, which is why a slow drain often clears at the trap. Cleaning it is a routine fix.
The types
A P-trap is the standard shape, while bottle traps and drum traps appear in specific fixtures. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Norfolk, an S-trap is a code problem because it siphons easily.
The call
Keep the seal intact. Call 888-217-3585 and Norfolk Home Plumbing Co will match you with a Norfolk pro for drain service.
Plumbing in Norfolk: what to know
In Norfolk, hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Norfolk city County — from Portsmouth, Hampton and Poquoson to ZIP codes like 23518, 23503, 23513 — 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 Norfolk?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Norfolk Home Plumbing Co will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Norfolk.