The sinking feeling when you drop something in the sink or down the drain is something that most people want to avoid. Losing precious items down the drain can be devastating, but is there really no way to retrieve them? Preventing disasters from occurring in the first place is the best place to start, but if you have lost something in your drains, all hope is not lost. Below are our tips for helping retrieve items that wash down the drain.
Prevention Is Better Than Retrieval
The best way to avoid panic is to implement prevention strategies. There are some inventions that have been created for this exact reason. Taking time to adjust drain plugs and other items, will save you heartache later. Here are a few things you can do to help limit accidents from occurring.
Sink Strainers
The best way to catch items that may accidentally wash down the drain is to install a sink strainer. They are affordable and easy to install. They come in multiple sizes to fit different sink types and protect your items from falling into the depths of your drain. Sink strainers are the best prevention method for the majority of drains.
Take Caution When Washing Dishes
People who wear their wedding rings or other rings while washing dishes should take special precautions when washing in the sink. You run the risk of your rings washing down the drain when you wear them while dealing with warm water and soap.
There are jewelry dishes, hooks, or ring holders that can be placed by the sink to hold your rings while doing the dishes. Remembering to place your rings here will limit heartache from a mistake, later.
Secure Drain Plugs
For homes that have removable drain plugs, ensure that they fit snugly if you want to prevent items from slipping down the drain. Drain plugs can become damaged after months of use, which will cause them to let smaller items get into sink, shower, and bathtub drains.
If you are worried about the quality of your drain plugs, replacing them will help you avoid disaster and mishaps with small items.
Use A Magnet
If the item is metallic, using a magnet may be a simple solution to retrieving items. If you have a telescoping magnet, you can lower it into the drain to help extract the object. A small magnet could be attached to a stick or pipe cleaner if you don’t have a magnetic rod. Make sure to move the magnet slowly as this will give you a better chance of finding the object.
Most rings, jewelry, and other items are coated in gold or silver and will be able to be grabbed by a magnet. If your object is pure gold or silver, a magnet will not stick to the object that has gone down the drain.
Try Pliers Or Other Grabber Tools
Sink drains are small, so reaching your hand down into the drain to retrieve an item is almost impossible. Using a tool like pliers, a grabber tool, or a pronged pick-up tool can help you reach farther in the drain and pipes. Using a flexible tool will make it easier to navigate the drain, avoid clogs in the drains, and find exactly what you are looking for.
Turn Off The Water
Once an item washes down the drain, turn off your water immediately to prevent the item from washing father into your pipes. Don’t use the sink or the tub until you have retrieved the item.
If you can not retrieve the item and call a plumber, having the water turned off before they arrive will make their jobs easier. This will help keep the pipes clear so they can remove sections to hopefully reach your lost item.
Call A Plumber For Help
Any licensed plumber can help improve your drains to limit clogs and small items from falling down the drain. Our company at S&B Plumbing can help retrieve items that may fall down your drains and into your pipes if they have not traveled too far into your system.
Calling a plumber will help you retrieve lost items in a more efficient way because plumbers have the tools and expertise to take apart sinks or other piping systems. Our plumbers can help you with other plumbing issues like leaking faucets, running toilets, sewer clogs, and more. If your home or business is located in Salt Lake, Davis, Weber, or Box Elder County, work with S&B Plumbing to improve your plumbing.