The Essential Kitchen Sink Precaution You Should Take Before Going On Vacation

Preparing for a trip can be stressful, with endless to-do lists, packing decisions, and the anxiety of possibly forgetting something important. You also have to consider work responsibilities, travel logistics, and, of course, house prep. Keeping your house safe while you're on vacation involves locking the doors and windows, setting the timers on your lights, taking your pets to a sitter, and arranging for someone to collect the mail and maintain your lawn. Depending on the length of your vacation, you might also need to clean out the refrigerator, take out the trash, and unplug your washer, dryer, and other large appliances. If you've done all of these things, you may feel like you've covered all of the bases. There is one last step to prepping your home for a trip, though — plugging your drains. The reason you should do this is to prevent pests, specifically roaches, from entering the plumbing while you're away.

Drains are attractive to roaches because they meet all of their needs: food, water, and shelter. By closing off your drains before you leave, you are also helping to block access to your home. Plugging the drain prevents the water in your sink's P-trap from drying out, which can allow the passage of roaches, as well as noxious fumes, through the pipes and into your home. If pests enter your house through another access point, they will still be drawn to your sink and tub, though. Since they can come from either direction and converge in your drains, there are extra steps you need to take before plugging them.

To keep bugs out of your home's drains before leaving for your trip, start by cleaning the sink or shower thoroughly. This helps clear away some of the food remnants and gunk that could attract pests. Then, run enough water to fill up your P-trap, creating a water seal. P-traps vary in size and capacity, but a few cups of water should do the trick. If it's a sink you use daily, the P-trap is probably already full, and you can just run a little bit of water for peace of mind. Finally, cap off your drain with an airtight plug to slow the evaporation of the water seal.

Not only is this method of roach control helpful when you go on vacation, but it's also beneficial to implement in drains throughout your house that aren't used frequently. A P-trap typically dries out in about a month if the drain isn't used, but drafts, dehumidifiers, and furnaces can shorten this time. If you choose not to plug your unused drains, it's a good idea to refill the water seal at least every two weeks. Also, roaches eat almost anything, even soap and toothpaste. So, don't assume that because a drain is only used for occasional handwashing or toothbrushing that it doesn't have everything a roach needs to survive. Cleaning and plugging your kitchen sink drain may even be a task you could consider doing on a nightly basis. Since roaches are nocturnal, this could really help curb an infestation.