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How often does a kitchen sink P-trap actually need cleaning?
Is there any benefit to taking apart a kitchen sink P-trap on a schedule, or is it better to leave it alone unless drainage slows or an odor develops? I’m not sure how to tell buildup in the trap from a clog farther down the drain.
Does the trap’s material or age change the risk of disturbing a seal when removing and reinstalling it? If it is opened for cleaning, what’s a reliable way to confirm the joints are dry afterward?
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1 reply
For a trap that drains freely and has no odor, I’d leave it alone rather than take it apart on a calendar. Routine opening seems like little benefit when nothing points to buildup, while each time you disturb the joints you create another chance for a leak. If slow drainage or odor becomes recurring, that would make investigating worthwhile; I wouldn’t treat scheduled disassembly as necessary prevention.
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