The Vacation Hack You Never Knew You Needed: Why You Should Always Leave a Glass and Paper in Your Sink Before Traveling

Ouadie Rhabbouron

We all know the routine before a vacation: lock the doors, set the alarms, unplug appliances. But there’s one simple, often-overlooked trick that can save you from coming home to nasty surprises—placing an upside-down glass and a piece of paper in your sink.

Why This Hack Works

1. Prevents Dry Drain Traps & Sewer Gas

Your sink’s P-trap (the U-shaped pipe under it) holds water to create a seal, blocking sewer gases from rising into your home. If you’re away for weeks, that water can evaporate, breaking the seal and letting foul odors (or even pests) in.

  • The glass trick: Flipping a water-filled glass upside-down slowly releases water, keeping the trap sealed.

  • For longer trips: Add a teaspoon of mineral oil to slow evaporation even more.

2. Acts as a Leak Detector

A sheet of paper (tissue, paper towel, or even a napkin) placed under the glass serves as a silent alarm.

  • If pipes leak while you’re gone, the paper will show water stains—alerting you to check for hidden damage.

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    We all know the routine before a vacation: lock the doors, set the alarms, unplug appliances. But there’s one simple, often-overlooked trick that can save you from coming home to nasty surprises—placing an upside-down glass and a piece of paper in your sink.

    Why This Hack Works

    1. Prevents Dry Drain Traps & Sewer Gas

    Your sink’s P-trap (the U-shaped pipe under it) holds water to create a seal, blocking sewer gases from rising into your home. If you’re away for weeks, that water can evaporate, breaking the seal and letting foul odors (or even pests) in.

    • The glass trick: Flipping a water-filled glass upside-down slowly releases water, keeping the trap sealed.

    • For longer trips: Add a teaspoon of mineral oil to slow evaporation even more.

    2. Acts as a Leak Detector

    A sheet of paper (tissue, paper towel, or even a napkin) placed under the glass serves as a silent alarm.

    • If pipes leak while you’re gone, the paper will show water stains—alerting you to check for hidden damage.

      continued on next page

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