Is this what’s known as a drum trap? What do I need to do with this?
Plumbing Drain – What’s This Pipe Outlet Looking Thing on the Wall Below Sink?
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Almost certainly a drum trap - so while cleaning it out might be good, removing it is generally a bad idea unless you are replacing it with another type of trap. Which you may well need to do, as they do rot out eventually, I'm just trying to head off at the pass the idea that it would be OK to remove it without putting a different trap there - is it leaking?
You'll need to install a drain assembly. In a bathroom, pop-up drain assemblies are common.
Here's an image of the drain assembly, with all the parts labeled.
(source: naturalhandyman.com)
The tailpiece of the drain assembly, should attach to the trap assembly. If the trap is too low, an extension can be used.
When installing the drain, put a bead of plumber's putty around the drain hole of the sink. Then bed the drain flange in the plumber's putty. From below, install the washer and nut, and thread on the tailpiece. When you tighten it down, the excess plumber's putty will squeeze out. Use you finger, or a rag to remove whatever oozes out.
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Best Answer
Most likely, that is a drain clean-out. If you unscrew the cover, you get a fairly straight shot to your main sewer line. This way, if you get a clog (often tree roots penetrating the pipe) in your sewer pipe leading to your municipal waste system, you can get tools (rotary cleaners, inspection cameras, etc.) into the line.
Just leave it be and make sure you can get at it if necessary.