Texas Plumber Tips: What to Do If an Item Falls Down the Drain

There’s nothing more depressing than seeing your engagement ring go down the drain while you’re taking a shower. While it might seem like your ring is lost forever, please remember that it’s a simple job to get it out–which your plumber can complete within minutes. With the right tips, you might just be able to retrieve it.

Here are a few of those:

Turn Off The Water Immediately!

Quickly turn off the water the moment something valuable falls down the drain. If you don’t, the water stream will push the object deeper into the plumbing. If the item is big enough to form a clog, the stream of water may even cause a flood.

You should immediately turn the shut-off valve, or your home’s main shut-off valve if the first valve is inaccessible. Once you’ve done so, call up your local plumbing service.

Don’t Push Anything Else Down The Drain.

While the plumbing technician is on their way, don’t use the drain. You might be tempted to use an old coat hanger or your hand to rescue the item– this is a bad idea. If something has gone down the garbage disposal, don’t make a rescue attempt on your own. You could end up hurting yourself.

More than the safety concern, using a coat hanger is more likely to push the item deeper into the drain. This will make it harder for the plumber to get the item out later.

At the same time, we do not recommend using any chemical-based drain cleaners. Inappropriate use of drain cleaners can damage your pipes, and worse, your health, since these cleaners are often quite corrosive.

Remove The P-Trap

Before calling a plumber, you can try pulling the item out using a magnet if its metallic. You can also try using a four-pronged tool if you have one at home. If neither of the two options works, you can also try removing the P-trap to look for it. The P-Trap is the bent pipe installed right under the sink that keeps the sink sealed from the bottom.

However, this is not as easy as it sounds. Things could get messy if there is too much debris stuck under the sink. If you’re unsure about how this will go, it’s better to wait for the plumber to arrive.

If you’re based in Fort Worth TX, Pro Serve Plumbing will help you rescue your valuable item! We provide a holistic suite of plumbing services, including plumbing repairs. Here are the details.