Have you ever experienced that heart-stopping feeling of panic when your wedding ring slips off your finger and goes straight down the sink drain? Of course, it could be any other small, meaningful item, too. Whether it’s a ring piece of jewelry or any other item, time seems to freeze as you watch it disappear down the drain. Luckily, if you act fast, there are a few ways to retrieve the ring or any other lost item without calling a plumber (although sometimes it might be necessary). In this blog post, Springboro Plumbing & Drain will guide you through the steps to take if you find yourself in this unfortunate plumbing predicament and want to pull yourself out of your current sink drain drama. 

Step 1: MAKE SURE THE FAUCET IS OFF AND REMAINS OFF 

First, remember to turn off the faucet and keep it off until you retrieve the ring or item. This simple action can have a big impact on keeping your ring within reach. If you leave the faucet running, there’s a chance it could get flushed to the mainline and become impossible to retrieve. So, be sure to turn off that faucet and leave it off until everything is resolved! 

Step 2: MAKE SURE THE DRAIN STOPPER IS TAKEN OUT 

Next, you’ll need to take out the drain stopper (if there is one) to peek into the drain. If you’re having trouble removing the stopper, check out the metal rod under the sink called the pivot rod arm. It will be connected to the sink’s drain pipe. Sometimes, this little rod gets bent or disconnected, which can mess up the stopper’s movement. You might have to use a wrench or pliers to grip the pivot rod arm and gently twist it off. Once you’ve loosened that part of the rod, give the sink drain stopper a try and see if it comes out easily. Hopefully, you should be able to now spot your ring (or whatever item). 

Step 3: A Grabber Claw   

Ever heard of a Grabber Claw? This nifty tool can totally make the whole experience a little less daunting. This four-pronged gadget is designed to fit into tight spots 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 swing by any home improvement store and grab one whenever you want. With a little bit of patience and the help of a grabber claw, you might just be able to fish your ring out of that sink drain and get it back in your hands! 

Alternate Step 3: A Magnetic Telescoping Wand 

Here’s another great option to consider helping you get out of your current situation. If something accidentally falls down the sink, you might want to try using a telescoping magnetic wand to retrieve it. These handy wands are both magnetic and extendable, making them super useful in urgent situations like this. Just keep in mind that they may not work for retrieving silver or gold rings or jewelry since those materials aren’t magnetic. 

Alternate Step 3: A Shop Vacuum   

If that didn’t work or wasn’t an option for you, it’s time to get a little creative! If you happen to have a shop vac (or maybe you can borrow one from a neighbor or friend), you can give this a shot: attach a nylon stocking to the end of the nozzle. It might sound a bit silly, but with the nylon stocking acting like a net, it could be an innovative way to retrieve your ring. Just make sure the nylon stocking is securely attached to the nozzle, hold it firmly in place, position it over the sink’s drain hole, and turn on the vacuum. With some luck, the vacuum’s air pressure should pull the ring (or whatever you dropped) straight up, and the net over the nozzle will catch it and prevent it from being sucked into the shop vac. 

Alternate Step 3: The P-trap   

Still on the hunt for ways to retrieve your item? Well, let us get straight to the point then! The P-trap is a key player in keeping your plumbing system running smoothly. The cleverly shaped pipe under your sink is designed to hold water pockets, trapping and preventing toxic sewer gas (like methane) from invading your home. And the P-trap also pulls double duty by catching random items, just like the situation we’re in right now. 

Before you start removing stuff, we recommend putting a bucket or container right under the P-trap. This way, you can catch any water, gunk, and, hopefully, your lost item. It’s also a good idea to keep some towels or rags nearby, just in case. Now, look for the slip nuts on both ends of the P-trap and use pliers or a pipe wrench to loosen them. Once they’re loose, slide them down the pipes and carefully pull the P-trap away from the sink’s vertical pipe (the tailpiece) and the horizontal waste pipe going into the wall/floor. Just be ready to dump the contents of the P-trap into the bucket, where you’ll hopefully find your ring. 

If you managed to successfully find your ring or lost item, give yourself a pat on the back. That was quite a challenge, and you made it through! Just remember to securely put the P-trap, drain stopper, and pivot rod arm back where they belong. But if you haven’t been able to find it, sometimes it’s hard to know when to stop searching. This is especially true when it comes to plumbing. It can be tough to admit defeat, but it’s important to remember that plumbers are trained professionals who know how to handle even the toughest plumbing issues. So, if your attempts haven’t worked out, don’t stress too much! That’s what we’re here for! Give us a call, and we’ll be more than happy to assist you! 

Call Springboro Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 912-1338, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!