I discovered this trick after an unpleasant experience. During a business trip, I rented a studio apartment that had been unused for several weeks. When I arrived, the interior was spotless, but a foul odor permeated the kitchen. The problem was with the plumbing: due to disuse, the water in the trap had evaporated, causing sewage odors to rise.
To solve the problem, I simply ran the water to restore the trap’s natural barrier. But to prevent this problem from happening again, I’ve taken some preventative measures.
Before I travel, I have an indispensable reflex: placing a glass and a piece of paper in the sink.
🔹 A piece of paper to block evaporation
Instead of pouring oil down the sink—a method that can cause clogging when it dries—I opt for a simpler solution: covering the drain hole with a piece of paper. This slows down the evaporation of the water and preserves the effectiveness of the siphon. For even more effectiveness, I place a glass or saucer on top to prevent air circulation.
Before leaving on a trip, I have an uncontoured reflex: put a glass and a sheet of paper in the sink.
🔹 Never completely empty the toilet’s water tank
Another problem I encountered concerned the toilet. The owner of the studio, thinking he was avoiding leaks, had completely emptied the water tank before leaving. Unfortunately, this caused the rubber seals to dry out, resulting in a leak after refilling.
Before I leave on a trip, I have an indispensable reflex: put a glass and a sheet of paper in the sink.
Since then, I’ve gotten into the habit of simply turning off the water supply while leaving some water in the tank, which protects the seals and avoids unnecessary repairs.
When you travel, try these tricks! There’s nothing better than coming home and not finding any unpleasant odors or plumbing problems.
