My Jewelry Fell Down the Drain — Now What?

One minute, you are washing dishes in the sink. The next minute, you realize your wedding ring is no longer on your finger, and it is not in the sink, either. The band has gone down the drain. Have you lost it forever?

Fortunately, you can still get your favorite jewelry back — whether your ring went down the bathroom sink or you dropped something shiny down the shower drain. Using our tips, you can attempt to fish your jewelry out, avoid common mistakes and ultimately call a plumber if your efforts do not work.

Retrieving Jewelry From the Drain

You need to remove the jewelry from the drain as soon as you can. In addition to getting your valuable or sentimental piece back, you will also prevent your drain from clogging. A piece of jewelry can obstruct water flow and become a trap for hair and debris, stopping up your drain. Follow these steps:

• Shut the tap off: Turn off the faucet.
• Use a magnet: Try using a magnet to fish out the piece. Is silver magnetic? No, silver and gold are not magnetic, but if your gold or silver jewelry has a metal clasp or chain, a magnet may work.
• Inspect the inside: Check the P-trap — the U-shaped part of the pipe. Put a bucket beneath it and loosen the nuts holding it together. Clean out the P-trap and look for your jewelry.

Avoid These Mistakes

You may be tempted to push something down the drain, like a clothes hanger, to search for the jewelry. Do not do that. Trying to move the jewelry could damage the drain or break the jewelry since you cannot see what you are doing.

Do not run water down the drain to clear the jewelry, either. If it is trapped in the P-trap, the water could carry it further down the pipe, making it impossible for you to access it on your own.

When to Call a Plumber

If your efforts have not worked, it is time to call in a professional. A plumber will check the drain visually first, then pop out the P-trap to look more thoroughly. They may use a tool to try to get the jewelry out. The plumber can reattach the P-trap and put everything back into place to ensure your pipes do not leak when you begin using the sink again.

The plumber also has tools to use if the jewelry has moved beyond the P-trap. They can remove the object and get your sink functioning perfectly once again.

Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Assistance

If you dropped a piece of jewelry down the drain and need help getting it back, contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse. Our plumbers professionally provide emergency and regular maintenance. We respect your home, leaving it as clean as when we walked in your door. We treat your property like it is our own, and we want to help you get your beloved piece of jewelry back.

You can fix your problem quickly when you call Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Get in touch today.