There is a very specific kind of excitement that comes with packing for a trip. Whether you’re heading off to visit the grandkids, going on a quiet retreat, or just escaping for a few days to a cozy bed and breakfast, the anticipation is wonderful. But right before you walk out the door, you pull out your phone and see it: a viral video telling you to cover your sink drains with a plastic bag and an upside-down glass, or to stuff a shower cap down the drain.
The video claims this “hack” will stop sewer gas from entering your home and keep creepy crawlies out while you’re gone.
Well, I immediately felt my heart rate tick up a little bit. At 73, living alone, I am incredibly proactive about my health. I’m always keeping a close eye on my circulation, trying to understand those sudden purple blotches on my arms, and doing everything I can to prevent spikes in my blood pressure that could lead to a stroke or an aneurysm. And let me tell you, the anxiety of wondering, “Did I do the sink hack right? Is my house going to fill with sewer gas?!” is enough to raise anyone’s blood pressure!
So, I did what I always do: I put the kettle on, grabbed my favorite mug of ginger tea, and looked into the actual plumbing science.
Grab your favorite beverage, and let’s separate the internet fiction from the old-fashioned, reliable facts, so you can lock your door and leave for your trip with total peace of mind.
The Truth About the “Upside-Down Glass” Hack
Let’s get right to the bottom of this. The short answer? You do not need to cover your drains with a glass, a bag, or a shower cap.
Here is the fascinating kitchen-and-plumbing science behind why:
The Magic of the “P-Trap”
If you look under your sink, you’ll see a pipe that bends down and then curves back up in a “U” shape before going into the wall. That is called a P-trap. Its entire job is to hold a small pool of water.
That little pool of water acts as a physical, liquid seal. It is what blocks heavy, smelly sewer gases from floating up the pipe and into your bathroom or kitchen. It also blocks drain flies and bugs.
Why the Glass Hack Fails
Placing an upside-down glass or a plastic bag over the drain does absolutely nothing to stop sewer gas, because it doesn’t create an airtight seal. Gases will simply find a way around the edges. Furthermore, if you use a plastic bag and a rubber band, you’re just creating a messy, sticky trap for hair and gunk that you’ll have to clean when you get home.
The only time sewer gas escapes is if the water in that P-trap evaporates. But unless you are leaving your house for six months with the heat blasting, the water in your P-trap will not evaporate during a standard vacation!
The “Real Deal” Checklist to Actually Protect Your Home
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