Have you ever lost a cherished ring, piece of jewelry, or some other meaningful trinket down the drain of a sink? If you have, you know how it can be a heart-wrenching experience! Perhaps that’s even why you stumbled across this blog today. You are looking for answers on how to go about retrieving your ring. Well, you’re in luck! We understand the gravity of the situation and want to help. This guide will help you navigate the retrieval process and pull yourself out of the abyss of your sink-drain drama. So, whether you have found yourself in this little plumbing predicament or want to keep this knowledge in your back pocket for the future, keep reading for the following steps from your Beavercreek Plumbing & Drain family!
STEP 1: TURN THE WATER OFF & LEAVE IT OFF
First and foremost, if you have dropped something down your sink drain, shut the sink faucet off immediately and leave it off until the problem is resolved and your item is retrieved. You don’t want to risk flushing it further down your drain and into your mainline. Most rings or similarly sized items will get lodged and trapped in the P-trap, where they will remain unless otherwise retrieved. That is to say – if the water is not turned on and runs through the pipes beforehand.
STEP 2: TAKE OUT THE DRAIN STOPPER
It’s highly likely that by now, you have already taken out the drain stopper (if your sink has one) to be able to look down the drain. If you have not yet, gently remove it so that you will gain access to your drain more quickly. On the off chance your drain stopper does not come out by hand, you will have to look under the sink and unscrew what is known as the pivot rod arm, which is connected to the sink’s drainpipe. You might have to grab a wrench or pliers to grasp the pivot rod arm and twist it off. Depending on your situation, you may need a flashlight to aid you. You can also utilize your phone in selfie mode to help you see the pipe at a better angle. Once you have loosened that portion, go back to your drain stopper in the sink and see if it comes out. If so, please proceed to step three.
STEP 3: TRY A GRABBER CLAW
Have you ever come across a grabber claw? This practical tool can greatly simplify the entire experience. Designed with four prongs, it fits effortlessly into narrow spaces like sink drains, allowing you to retrieve and eliminate blockages easily. In our particular scenario, it has the potential to assist in recovering your lost item. You should be able to find one at any home improvement store conveniently. With a little patience and the assistance of a grabber claw, you can potentially resolve your sink drain predicament and retrieve your ring confidently.
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ALTERNATE STEP THREE: TRY A SHOP VAC
It’s time to get a tad creative. Got a shop vac handy? If so, this next method may be the one for you! Grab your shop vac and stick a nylon stocking over the end of the nozzle. Now, firmly hold on to the nozzle, place the nozzle flush over the sink drain, and turn the shop vac on. With some luck, your ring (or other item) will get sucked up and stopped right at the nylon net, where you can grab it accordingly.
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ALTERNATE STEP 3: TRY A TELESCOPING MAGNETIC WAND
Depending on what type of item was dropped down the sink, you may be able to use a telescoping magnetic wand to pull your item directly out of the sink drain. These handy wands are magnetic and extendable, so they can really be helpful when you’re in a pinch like this. However, keep in mind that since they are magnetic, silver and gold rings or jewelry won’t get picked up with this specific tool as silver and gold are not magnetic.
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ALTERNATE STEP 3: TRY THE P-TRAP STRATEGY
Last but not least is the P-trap method. That’s right; we are now going straight to the source. The P-trap is the curve in your drainpipe that looks like the shape of a letter P. The P-trap is designed to hold pockets of water, which in turn traps toxic and putrid-smelling sewer gas (such as methane) from traveling through your home. Not to mention – the P-trap also serves the double purpose of containing stray items, much like the situation we have currently found ourselves in.
Located under the sink, the P-trap is usually made out of metal or PVC. Before you begin, we suggest placing a bucket or container right under the location of the P-trap. It will catch any water and muck and potentially your lost item. You can remove the P-trap by carefully loosening the two nuts positioned both above and below the trap. Once both nuts are loosened, the P-trap should come off, and you should be able to dump its contents into the bucket below it. At this point, you should now have your ring or item back in your hands once again! Congrats!
When all is said and done, don’t forget to put everything back firmly into its original place once again. This includes the drain stopper, pivot rod arm, and the P-trap. In the world of ring retrieval, precision and patience are your greatest allies! Hopefully, this blog has helped you turn a potentially devastating situation into a – might we might say – successful rescue mission. If not, we are always here for you. Whatever plumbing need you have, we got you!
Reach out to Beavercreek Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 404-6575, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!