Dropping something down your sink drain is a huge pain.
Should you call a professional plumber if you accidentally drop an item down the sink drain, or should you just assume that it is lost forever to your sewer system? Whether you lost a valuable ring while washing your dishes, an earring slipped off, and went right down the drain, or you dropped something else that is valuable into your sink, do not panic. Armed with a little bit of old-fashioned plumber know-how, you stand an excellent chance at retrieving your items with no harm done at all. Read on to learn more!
Turn off Your Drain Faucet
First things first, turn off your water immediately, as soon as you have seen your item drop down the sink drain. Turning off the faucet will stop your earring, ring, or whatever else that fell from flushing even further down into the plumbing system.
Check to See if Your Item is Magnetic
If the item you dropped is magnetic, it might be easy to retrieve from your plumbing drain. Tie a small, strong magnet to a small piece of string, and make sure your knots are tight, then insert it into the sink drain. If you are lucky, you will be able to pull the object right out of your drain pipe. Most jewelry is not magnetic, but most professional plumbers believe this easy approach is typically worth a shot.
Open Up Your Sink Drain Trap
If the magnet trick does not work, you will need to check the sink trap. That is the J-shaped pipe that is directly underneath your sink. Place a bucket underneath the trap, and then use some pliers or a wrench to remove the slip nuts. Then pull off the trap and give it a nice shake, and you should notice your lost item.
What If My Item Is Not in the Trap?
Plumbing systems have multiple traps and bends within their pipes. If your item is not in the under-sink trap, your plumber from Mahon can check out any other possible hiding spots. Using special tools and techniques, an expert can help you reach deeper into your plumbing system to retrieve your lost items.
What if My Item Is Not Valuable?
Let’s say you dropped a tiny toothpaste cap down your sink drain or an inexpensive hair clip. Do you really have to bother retrieving something that has little to no value? The answer is yes because any solid object can eventually lead to a nasty clog within your drain pipes and sink.
Call Mahon Plumbing Today
If you still have more questions regarding your plumbing, we here at Mahon Plumbing are here to help. We have been serving the wider Baltimore area since 1994, so we have 25 years of experience to back up our fantastic service! Call us at our Baltimore location at 410-766-8566 or our Pasadena location at 410-636-7944. Be sure to keep up with us on social media by following us on Facebook or Twitter.