Buzz
If you’ve experienced the panic of losing a valuable piece of jewelry down the sink or fear the chaos of children playing near the toilet, it’s essential to learn various techniques to recover small items before they’re washed or flushed away permanently.
Rescuing these items is not only about preserving their value but also about preventing potential plumbing blockages and related problems.
Steps to recover an object from a sink drain
Before disassembling any plumbing, try recovering your item from above using a strong magnet attached to a string or flexible cable (for magnetic metals) or a grabber tool equipped with a hook or claw (for non-magnetic objects). Proceed slowly to avoid accidentally pushing the item further down the drain.
If unsuccessful, the next step is to dismantle the pipe section beneath your sink to locate the lost item. Start by turning off the water supply using the hot and cold valves (typically located under the sink). Document each step with photos or videos to ensure proper reassembly.
Take out the drain plug or sink stopper
Depending on your drain's design, this might involve simply lifting and twisting the stopper from above. Alternatively, you may need to unscrew the rod and pivot nut (located under the sink) that secures the stopper in place.
Handle this step with care, as your item might be caught on the stopper. Shaking it could cause the object to fall back into the drain.
Inspect the p-trap
If your item has fallen beyond the sink stopper, you’ll need to go further by unscrewing the U-shaped curved pipe, commonly called the p-trap, located under the sink.
Prepare the area under the sink by placing towels or a bucket to catch any residual water in the pipes. Loosen the nuts on both ends and carefully pull the p-trap down. Check inside for your lost item, and while you’re there, wear gloves to clear out any debris that might be causing a blockage.
Contact a plumber
If the object isn’t in the p-trap, there’s still hope, but it’s time to call a professional. Avoid further disassembly of the sink’s plumbing and refrain from turning the water back on until they’ve explored all possibilities.
How to retrieve an item flushed down the toilet
Similar to rescuing items from a sink, there are straightforward methods to recover objects dropped into the toilet before resorting to disassembly. Begin by shutting off the water using the valve behind the toilet where it meets the wall. Equip yourself with long rubber gloves (preferably elbow-length) and eye protection to guard against splashes, and lay towels around the toilet base.
With your gloves secured, carefully reach into the toilet opening to search for the lost item. If the toilet hasn’t been flushed, the object might still be within reach. Avoid submerging any bare skin in the water.
If you can’t locate the item by hand, try using a plunger to dislodge it, potentially bringing it closer to the surface for retrieval. Alternatively, use a grabber tool or drain snake to search for it. A wet/dry vacuum can also be effective in suctioning the object out.
If the item has been flushed, it might be stuck in the toilet trap or further down the plumbing. You can empty the tank by flushing it multiple times after shutting off the water, disconnecting the supply line, and removing the toilet from the floor to inspect the waste opening. However, ensure you can reinstall the toilet properly afterward. At this point, it’s advisable to call a plumber, who can also explore deeper sections of the pipes.
How to avoid losing items down drains altogether
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. Take proactive measures to secure your drains and toilets. Always keep the toilet lid closed when not in use to prevent accidental drops. If you have children, use a child safety lock to stop them from accessing the toilet.
For sinks, consider using a drain strainer instead of a stopper. A strainer can catch dropped items before they disappear into the drain and also prevent debris from causing blockages.
