A simple travel tip has been making the rounds online, claiming that placing a sheet of paper over a sink drain and covering it with an upside-down glass before leaving home can help keep unpleasant odors and insects from entering the house while you’re away.
Travel & Transportation
The suggestion is based on a real plumbing concept, but professionals say the method is not a dependable solution.
The reason has to do with a part of the plumbing system known as the P-trap. This U-shaped section of pipe, located beneath sinks, showers, and tubs, is designed to hold a small amount of water. That water forms a barrier that helps prevent sewer gases, unpleasant smells, and small pests from traveling back through the drain and into the home.
