Before going on vacation, we are used to doing a few necessary things in the house. We check that all the windows are closed, turn off the electricity or at least unplug appliances. We check the food in the fridge and donate or throw away any that won’t last until we return. We take out the trash cans. But we should also look at the kitchen sink. It is not only necessary to wash dirty dishes, but also to provide a drain.

Returning home

You certainly don’t want to deal with any inconveniences when you return home from holiday. The return should be pleasant and the transition to everyday reality should be as gradual as possible. None of us wants to have to deal with an emergency or inconvenience as soon as we return. This can include an unpleasant smell wafting through the house. Where does it come from? After all, you’ve got rid of all the food and the bins have been taken out too.

The reason for the smell is simple. Water waste. There is usually a small amount of water left in the siphon under the sink or basin. This makes simple and logical sense. This is because the water acts as a sort of barrier between the drain and your home. Essentially, it prevents foul-smelling gases from the sewer from entering your home through the pipes. But if the sink, basin, shower or bath is not used for a long time, this water can dry out. On hot summer days, this can really only take a few days. The smell will then penetrate into your house really easily.

━━ ( Source: Taylor Flowe /  Unsplash+ )

The glass and paper trick

There’s a relatively simple trick to prevent unpleasant odours from the siphon. First of all, it’s certainly not a bad idea to flush all the waste in the house with water before you leave. However, if you are leaving for a long period of time, this may not be enough. In this case, the water glass and paper trick is a good idea. Simply place a sheet of paper on the drain and place the glass face up on top of it. This will actually seal the drain and also slow down the evaporation of the water.

The glass will not only help you weight down the paper, but also close any gaps. It acts as a weight and a seal at the same time. Sewer gases will not be able to enter your house. Some people fill the glass with water and then turn it over. However, if you flush the drain first, this is not necessary. Others make sure that the paper used is sufficiently absorbent. You can try several variations of paper and a jar full or empty. See what works best and suits you.

Other waste tips

You should take care of your sink, tub and shower drains regularly. It’s a good idea to flush them with hot water, or use special products that can break down any organic deposits. These are what feed the unpleasant odours that can enter your home. If you don’t do this maintenance on a regular basis, try to do it at least before you leave for a longer period of time. It’s not time-consuming or physically demanding. Still, it can save you from some really big surprises.