Have you ever lost a cherished ring, a piece of jewelry, or some other meaningful trinket down the drain of a sink? If you have, you know how heart-wrenching it can be! Maybe that’s even why you stumbled across this blog today. You’re looking for answers on how to retrieve your ring, right? Well, you’re in luck! We understand the gravity of the situation and we want to help. This guide will walk you through the retrieval process and get you out of your current sink-drain drama. So, whether you’re currently in this little plumbing predicament or just want to keep this knowledge in your back pocket for the future, keep reading for the following steps from your friendly folks at Huber Heights Plumbing & Drain!
STEP 1: TURN THE WATER OFF & LEAVE IT OFF
First and foremost, if you accidentally drop something down your sink drain, make sure to turn off the sink faucet right away and leave it off until you’ve resolved the problem and retrieved the item. You definitely don’t want to risk flushing it further down the drain and into the mainline. Most of the time, small objects like rings will get stuck in the P-trap and stay there until you retrieve them.
STEP 2: TAKE OUT THE DRAIN STOPPER
At this point, you’ve probably already removed the drain stopper (if your sink has one) to take a peek down the drain. If you haven’t yet, gently remove it so you can get to your drain more quickly. In case the drain stopper doesn’t come out easily by hand, no worries! Just look under the sink and unscrew the pivot rod arm connected to the sink’s drainpipe. You might need a wrench or pliers to twist it off. And if you need some extra light, grab a flashlight or use your phone in selfie mode to get a better angle. Once you’ve got that part loosened up, go back to your sink and see if the drain stopper comes out. If it does, then you’re good to move on to step three.
STEP 3: TRY A GRABBER CLAW
Have you ever come across a grabber claw? This practical tool can significantly simplify the entire experience. Designed with four prongs, it efficiently fits into narrow spaces like sink drains, facilitating the retrieval and removal of blockages. In our case, it has the potential to assist in recovering your lost item. You should be able to find one at your convenience in any home improvement store. With a little patience and the assistance of a grabber claw, you may just be able to resolve your sink drain dilemma and retrieve your ring/item swiftly and confidently.
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ALTERNATE STEP 3: TRY A MAGNETIC TELESCOPING TOOL
Depending on the nature of the dropped item, a telescoping magnetic wand can be utilized to retrieve it from the sink drain with ease. These practical wands possess magnetic properties and extendability, making them invaluable in such situations. It is worth noting, however, that this particular tool is not suitable for retrieving silver and gold rings or jewelry, as silver and gold are non-magnetic materials.
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ALTERNATE STEP 3: TRY A SHOP VAC
Alright, it’s time to get a little creative here. Do you happen to have a shop vac lying around? If you do, then this next method might just be perfect for you! Grab your trusty shop vac and slide a nylon stocking over the end of the nozzle. Now, hold onto the nozzle nice and tight, position it directly over your sink drain, and switch on the shop vac. With a bit of luck, your ring (or whatever item you’re trying to retrieve) should get sucked up and caught by the nylon net. Then you can simply grab it, and you’re good to go!
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ALTERNATE STEP 3: REMOVE THE P-TRAP
And last but definitely not least, we have the P-trap method. Yep, we’re going straight to the source! The P-trap is the pipe with the curve under your drainpipe that’s shaped just like the letter P. Its job? Well, it’s designed to hold pockets of water to trap those nasty sewer gases, such as methane, from making their way into your home. Furthermore, the P-trap also pulls double duty by keeping small stray items contained, kind of like the situation we have found ourselves in right now.
So, under the sink, you’ll find the P-trap, usually made of metal or PVC. Before you get started, it’s a good idea to place a bucket or container right underneath where the P-trap is. This way, it’ll catch any water, muck, and maybe even that lost item you’ve been searching for. Now, carefully loosen the two nuts above and below the trap to take off the P-trap. Once both nuts are loosened, the P-trap should come off, and you can dump its contents into the bucket below. And voila! You should now have your ring or item back in your hands! Congrats!
After everything is said and done, make sure to put everything back where it belongs. This includes the drain stopper and pivot rod arm, as well as the P-trap. When it comes to retrieving a lost ring, precision and patience are your best friends! Hopefully, this blog has helped you turn a potentially disastrous situation into a successful rescue mission. If not, remember that we’re always here for you. Whatever plumbing issue you have, we’ve got your back!
Reach out to Huber Heights Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 764-3381, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!