to prevent drain odors, keeping the trap filled with water and resolving any plumbing issues are more important than covering the whole basin.
What happened
For most homes with properly functioning plumbing, nothing unusual happens simply because the sink remains uncovered during a short vacation.
The P-trap should continue to block sewer gases, and the drain should work normally when you return.
Problems are more likely if the drain already has an issue, the water seal evaporates during a long absence, or the sink is left dirty with food residue.
There’s more to discover. Continue to the next page for the rest of this article.