We’ve all done it before — dropped something down the drain that we wish we hadn’t. It might be a small kitchen utensil or a tiny item that’s tough to fish out. But what if you drop something more important down the drain? Like your favorite ring? Or worse, your wedding ring? Then it becomes imperative to handle the situation correctly. Otherwise, you could lose it forever. Here are the steps to take when you’ve dropped your ring down the drain.
Turn off the Water
If the faucet is still running, the first thing you should do is turn it off. Otherwise, the ring could be flushed down the pipes and impossible to find. By turning off the faucet immediately, you increase the chances that the ring will be lodged in the p-trap, which is the curved section of pipe that’s directly under your sink.
Get a Bucket and Some Tools
Grab your buckets, some towels, and a wrench. You need to place the bucket under the p-trap, so that any spillage won’t make a huge mess in your kitchen or bathroom. It’s also a good idea to put some towels under the bucket to make your clean-up job even easier. Most sink pipes will have a little plug at the bottom that can be removed. This is called the access plug. Remove it and let the contents of the pipe drain out into the bucket. If your pipe doesn’t have an access plug, then you’ll just need to remove the p-trap with a wrench. Removing and reinstalling the p-trap can be tricky, so you might want to call a professional instead.
Dig Through the Bucket
Now that the pipe has been drained into the bucket, you’ll have to reach in and try to find your ring. It can be hard to see and feel, due to all of the water. Make sure you do this thoroughly to prevent missing the ring. It’s also a good idea to pour the water through a sieve or colander. Just remember not to pour the water into the sink that you’ve just disassembled.
Replace the Pipes
Now it’s time to put your sink back together. Simply reinstall the access plug or the p-trap. Make sure that everything is attached properly and tightly fitted before turning on the water. Otherwise, you might cause a leak that leads to water damage, mold, and expensive repairs.
If Unsuccessful – Call a Professional
If you have trouble with any of the above steps or if you’re worried about damaging your sink or parts, then it’s best to call in a professional. This is also a good idea if your pipes don’t have an access plug because dealing with p-traps can be challenging. A plumbing technician knows exactly how to handle these situations quickly and efficiently, without causing any damage to the sink or pipes.
At Jeff Lowe Plumbing, we’ve been around for over 100 years. Over that time, we’ve removed a lot of items from pipes, including family heirlooms and precious wedding rings.
