You're at the kitchen sink and you smell a terrible odor. Serious plumbing problem? Probably not. Chances are your P-trap is clogged. All plumbing in your home drains into the same waste system and each one has a P-trap. That is a curved section in the drain that holds back some water to act as a block, or water door of sorts, and keeps nasty sewer gases from backing up into your home. But if that curved portion of your drain becomes clogged with hair and grease and gunk, it keeps the water from making a complete seal. This condition gives sewer gas a clear path back into your home. To prevent this, keep all p-traps clean and clear with a mild acid or caustic solution. Even vinegar used on a regular basis works. Clean P-traps will do the job they were intended for. And that's the On The House tip for today.