So Your Ring Fell Down Your Sink
No Need To Panic! Here Is What To Do
What You Should Do If Your Ring Falls Down Your Sink
It’s happened to the best of us – you take off your ring to wash your hands, and before you know it, it’s slipped down the drain. Or maybe you were cleaning out the sink and accidentally knocked a piece of jewelry down the drain. Either way, it can be a heart-stopping moment when you realize your valuable item is now out of reach. But don’t panic! There are a few things you can do to try to retrieve your item.
Assess The Situation
First, take a deep breath and see if you are able to locate the ring by looking down the drain. If so, you may be able to use your fingers or a set of tweezers to pull it free.
If you are unable to see it by looking down the drain there’s still no need to panic because there are still a few more things we can try. If it’s a sink drain, there is a good chance it has a trap that might have caught your ring. If it’s a floor drain, is there a grate that you can remove?
At a time like this, knowing the layout of your plumbing will help you determine where your ring is likely to be and how best to access it.
Don't run water
It’s important to remember, most people have experienced the sinking feeling that comes when a piece of jewelry falls down the drain. With that said, before you start panicking, it’s important to remember that running water will only make the situation worse. The pressure from the water can push the ring further down the drain, making it more difficult to retrieve. In addition, the water can damage delicate settings and loosen stones. So save yourself some grief and turn off the taps before you start fishing around for your lost treasure. With a little patience, you’re likely to have better luck retrieving your ring than if you had let the water run.
Check the P-trap
At this point you will want to locate the P-trap beneath your sink. This is the U-shaped pipe that connects the drain to the rest of the plumbing. Once you’ve found it, unscrew the cap and carefully remove the trap. You may find your ring (or other small items) inside the trap, or it may have continued further down the drain. If it’s not in the trap, don’t worry- simply reattach the trap and run some water down the drain to see if you can flush it out. At this point if the ring is not there, you may need to call a plumber to help locate and retrieve your lost item. But with a little patience, there’s a good chance you’ll be reunited with your ring in no time.
Call a plumber
At McClain Bros, we can understand how extremely frustrating it is to lose a piece of jewelry, especially if it has sentimental value. If you’ve lost a ring in your sink drain remember, it’s important not to panic. As we mentioned, after assessing the situation, the first step is to check the p-trap, which is the curved pipe located beneath the sink. The p-trap is designed to catch debris and small objects, so there’s a good chance your ring is there. However, if you’re unable to find it, the next best course of action would be to give us a call. Our experienced plumbers have the necessary tools and experience to safely recover objects and jewelry from drains. They will also be able to complete a drain inspection for any damage that may have occurred. Trying to remove an object from a drain yourself can result in further damage, so we always recommend that it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
