Why is the pipe under the sink “S” shaped instead of going straight down?
Even though this pipe is “S-shaped”, plumbers call it a “P” trap and believe us, you want those curves. The curvy pipe dips down below the horizontal pipe so that a water seal is formed in the bend, assuring that water, not air, will fill the area below the horizontal pipe. This deliberate water blockage is created to block sewer and other foul smells from drifting up the pipe and into the room. As an added bonus, a “P” trap has been known to save countless valuables, such as wedding rings, that have inadvertently been dropped down the drain.
