What are fashion and plumbing alike? Both fashion and plumbing are subject to changing trends. We're sure you remember the olive-green toilets of the 1940s. House traps are an old plumbing trend that can be even more annoying than being nostalgic.

What is a "House Trap"?

The house trap was a common plumbing device that was used in many homes built prior to 1989. It is a U-shaped piece of pipe that is attached to the sewer line underground that runs from the home and the municipal main. The pipe's downward bend holds a small amount of water and prevents sewage gasses from reaching the home through the sewer main.

House traps are a problem

The house trap may sound like a good idea in theory. They can lead to serious plumbing problems. Poor design and rusting over time are two other problems with old house traps. The trap shouldn't be storing waste inside the bend instead of blocking sewage gases.

The sewage line can block contents from your home that have been drained down the drain. This can cause a number of issues, including:

• Harmful sewage fumes entering homes
• Slow or clogged drains throughout the house (including toilets)
• The basement is usually where the sewage backflows.
• There is a greater chance of a break in the sewer line
• Better, updated approach

A house trap can be found in older homes that have not had their sewer lines repaired. You don't need to do anything if everything is working smoothly. If you do notice any of the above signs, it is a good idea for your sewer line to be inspected.

You should replace a house trap that is old and inefficiently functioning if you discover it. Instead of the U-shaped device, the sewer clean-out is a vertical tube that connects the sewer line and the ground. This allows sewage gases, instead of finding their way into your home, to escape. If there is a blockage in the sewer, it's easier to have a sewer clean-out. Modern materials are more durable and won't corrode like older pipes.