Blog: Pro Plumbing Tips – What to Do if an Item Falls Down the Sink Drain
Did you accidentally drop something down the sink drain? Worried that it’s lost to your plumbing system forever?
Whether you lost a valuable ring while washing dishes, an earring slipped off and went straight down the drain or you dropped some other precious item into the sink, try not to panic – armed with a bit of plumbing know-how, you stand a good chance at getting it back with no harm done. Here’s how.
Turn Off the Faucet
First things first – shut off the water immediately, as soon as you see the item drop down the sink drain. Turning off the faucet will stop your ring, earring or whatever fell from flushing further into the plumbing system.
Check to See If the Item is Magnetic
If the item you dropped is magnetic, it may be easy to retrieve from the plumbing drain. Tie a small, strong magnet to a piece of string – make sure your knots are tight -- and insert it into the sink drain. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to pull the object right up out of the plumbing. Most jewelry isn’t magnetic, but the approach might be worth a shot.
Open the Sink Trap
If the magnet trick doesn’t work, you’ll need to check the sink trap – that’s the J-shaped plumbing pipe directly under your sink. Put a bucket under the trap, then use pliers or a wrench to remove the slip nuts. Pull off the trap and give it a shake, and you should see your lost item.
What if the Item Isn’t in the Trap?
Plumbing systems have several traps and bends within the pipes. If your item isn’t in the under-sink trap, a professional plumber can check other potential hiding spots. Using specialized tools and techniques, an expert can reach deeper into the plumbing to retrieve your lost item.
What if the Item Isn’t Valuable?
Let’s say you dropped the toothpaste cap down the sink drain. Or an inexpensive hair clip. Do you really need to bother retrieving something that has little or no value?
Actually, yes – any solid object dropped into the drain needs to be pulled out as soon as possible. If you leave the item in place, it may start to accumulate hair and debris, eventually leading to a clog in the plumbing.
If you can’t retrieve whatever has fallen down your sink drain, or you’d rather have an expert plumber take care of the task, contact American Plumbing Services.
Our professional team is always available to solve emergency plumbing problems throughout Utah, Salt Lake and the surrounding counties. For help with your sink drain, or for expert assistance with other plumbing problems, contact our Provo, Utah, office and schedule a consultation with the professionals at American Plumbing Services today.
