Have you ever lost a cherished ring, a piece of jewelry, or some other meaningful trinket down the sink drain? If you have, you know how heart-wrenching it can be! Maybe that’s why you’re here reading this blog. You’re looking for answers on how to retrieve your ring. Well, guess what? You’re in luck! We totally understand the gravity of the situation, and we’re here to help. This guide will walk you through the retrieval process and get you out of that sink-drain drama you have currently found yourself in. So, whether you’re dealing with this plumbing predicament or just want to be prepared for the future, keep reading for the suggested steps from your friends at Centerville Plumbing & Drain!
STEP ONE: THE FAUCET MUST BE TURNED OFF
First and foremost, if you accidentally drop something down your sink drain, make sure to turn off the sink faucet right away and keep it off until you resolve the issue and retrieve the item. You definitely don’t want to risk the chance of it going even deeper into your drain and ending up in the mainline. Typically, smaller items like rings tend to get stuck in the P-trap and stay there unless you retrieve them. Of course, this is assuming that you haven’t already turned on the water and let it flow through the pipes before realizing what happened.
STEP TWO: THE DRAIN STOPPER MUST BE TAKEN OUT
It’s highly likely that by now, you’ve already taken out the drain stopper (if your sink has one) to take a peek down the drain. If you haven’t done it yet, gently remove it so you can peer into your drain. And in case the drain stopper doesn’t come out easily, no worries! Just look under the sink and unscrew the pivot rod arm connected to the sink drainpipe. You might need a wrench or pliers to do that. If you need some extra light, grab a flashlight or use your phone in selfie mode to get a better view of the pipe. Once you’ve loosened that part, go back to the drain stopper and check if it comes out. If it does, awesome! You can move on to step three.
STEP THREE: TRY A GRABBER CLAW TOOL
Have you ever heard of a Grabber Claw? It’s a pretty handy tool that can make the whole experience a little less daunting, you know? This four-pronged tool is designed to fit into narrow spaces like a sink drain so you can easily grab and remove blockages. In our case, it might just help us retrieve your lost item. You should be able to find one at any home improvement store, so you can grab it whenever it’s convenient for you. With a little bit of patience and the help of a grabber claw, you might just be able to pull yourself out of that sink drain drama and get your ring back in your hands!
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ALTERNATE STEP THREE: TRY A MAGNETIC TELESCOPING WAND
Another option you might be able to try is using a telescoping magnetic wand, which also can be obtained at any home improvement store. These nifty wands are magnetic and extendable, making them super-efficient for a situation just like this. Just remember, though, that they won’t work for picking up silver and gold rings or jewelry since these materials are not magnetic.
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ALTERNATE STEP THREE: TRY A SHOP VAC
Alright, it’s time to get a little creative! Do you happen to have a shop vac around? If you do, 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 on tight to the nozzle, position it right over the sink drain, and switch on the shop vac. Hopefully, with a bit of luck, your ring or whatever it is that you dropped will get sucked up and caught by the nylon net. Then, you can easily grab it and breathe a sigh of relief!
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ALTERNATE STEP 3: TRY TO TAKE OFF THE P-TRAP
And now, let’s talk about the P-trap method. You know that curve in your drainpipe that looks like the letter P? Well, it’s not shaped like that without reason. It actually serves a pretty important purpose. The P-trap is designed to hold pockets of water, which helps trap those nasty sewer gases from stinking up your home. It’s like a little barrier, keeping the smells where they belong. On the plus side, the P-trap also helps to catch any random items that might accidentally find their way down the drain. It’s kind of like the situation we’re in right now.
Usually located under the sink, the P-trap is typically made of metal or PVC. Before you start the retrieval process, we recommend placing a bucket or container right under the P-trap to catch any water, muck, and maybe even that lost item of yours! Now, carefully loosen the two nuts positioned above and below the trap to take it off. Once both nuts are loosened, the P-trap should come off, and you can dump its contents into the bucket below. Now, you should have your ring or item back in your hands! Congrats!
After everything is said and done, make sure to put everything back in its original place, including the drain stopper, pivot rod arm, and the P-trap. When it comes to retrieving rings from your sink drain, precision and patience are your best friends! Hopefully, this blog has helped you turn a potentially disastrous situation into a successful rescue mission. And if not, don’t worry; we’re always here for you. Whatever plumbing needs you have, we’ve got you covered!
Reach out to Centerville Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 240-0169, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
