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How to retrieve an item dropped down the drain.

Warning
If you drop something down a sink with a garbage disposal unit, unplug the power unit before proceeding with the following steps.

Step 1: Try a magnet
If your item is magnetic, try dangling a magnet down the drain with string or use a magnetic screwdriver.

Step 2: Empty the cabinet
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: Turn off the water
Use the valves under the sink to turn off the water flow.

Step 4: Locate the trap
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: Position bucket
Lay down a towel and place your bucket or a deep pan underneath the pipes.

Tip
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: Loosen the slip nuts
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.

Tip
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 and empty the trap
Remove the trap and carefully turn it upside down to empty the contents into your bucket or pan.

Step 8: Find your item
Put on rubber gloves and dig through all the gooey sludge in the bucket to find your item.

Step 9: Reassemble the piping
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: Test for leaks
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: Clean up
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
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.