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How to Retrieve an Item Dropped Down the Drain. How to retrieve an item dropped down the drain.
You will need A bucket or deep pan Rubber gloves Pliers or a pipe wrench Towels A drain
guard A magnet Some string A magnetic screwdriver Electrical or duct tape and cleaning supplies.
If you drop something down a sink with a garbage disposal unit, unplug the power unit before
proceeding with the following steps. Step 1. If your item is magnetic, try dangling
a magnet down the drain with string or use a magnetic screwdriver. Step 2. No luck? You
are going to need to disassemble the pipes, so if you're storing anything in the cabinet
under your sink, empty it out to give you room to work. Step 3. Use the valves under
the sink to turn off the water flow. Step 4. Locate the pipe trap, which is the U-shaped
bend in your sink's piping. Your item is most likely resting in this curve. Step 5. Lay
down a towel and place your bucket or a deep pan underneath the pipes. Some sinks have
a small drain plug on the pipe trap. Although the drain will probably be smaller than your
item, try removing the plug and let the water (and hopefully your item) drain into the bucket.
If it's not there, proceed to the next step. Step 6. With pliers or a pipe wrench, loosen
the two large slip nuts connecting the trap to the rest of the piping. When they are loose
enough, finish the job with your hand. If your pipes are chrome, line the jaws of your
pliers or wrench with electrical or duct tape to avoid scratching them. If your trap is
plastic, use only your fingers -- otherwise you could damage it. Step 7. Remove the trap
and carefully turn it upside down to empty the contents into your bucket or pan. Step
8. Put on rubber gloves and dig through all the gooey sludge in the bucket to find your
item. Step 9. Replace the pipe trap and the sealant ring in the line of piping. Begin
tightening the slip nuts with your hand and then—if your trap is metal—secure them
with your wrench or pliers. Step 10. Turn the water flow back on, fill the sink with
water, and then release the drain to test the pipe for leaks. If water is leaking out,
tighten the slip nuts. Step 11. Before replacing the items under your sink, you might as well
give the cabinet a quick clean. Step 12. Buy and install a drain guard to prevent this
from happening again! Did you know Ft. Lauderdale, Florida city employees once found a $30,000
diamond ring in the sewer system.