Should You Cover Your Sink Before Vacation? Here’s What Actually Works
A simple vacation “hack” has been making the rounds online: place a sheet of paper over your sink drain, then cover it with an upside-down glass before leaving home. Supporters claim it keeps sewer odors and insects from entering your house while you’re away.
It sounds clever—but does it actually work?
The short answer is not really.
The idea behind the hack is based on a real plumbing principle, but the method itself isn’t the most effective way to protect your home.
Why This Hack Exists
Every sink, shower, bathtub, and floor drain in your home has a P-trap—the curved pipe beneath the drain that always holds a small amount of water.
That water serves an important purpose.
It creates a seal between your home and the sewer system, helping to block unpleasant sewer gases and preventing insects from traveling up through the drain.
If the water inside the P-trap evaporates, that protective seal can disappear, allowing odors—and occasionally pests—to enter the home.
That’s the real plumbing issue the viral hack is trying to solve.
Will Your P-Traps Dry Out?
For most vacations, this isn’t something to worry about.
A typical P-trap usually retains enough water for several weeks, depending on factors such as:
- Hot, dry weather
- Low indoor humidity
Keep reading…