We’ve all experienced that sinking feeling when something valuable suddenly slips through our fingers and tumbles down the drain. One second you’re going about your day, the next you’re watching in horror as a prized piece of jewelry, kid’s toy, or even your brand new smartphone disappears into the murky depths below. It’s enough to make your heart drop into your stomach.
But don’t panic just yet! This guide will arm you with the step-by-step knowledge and tried-and-true tricks for fishing out anything from sink, shower, tub, or toilet drains before it’s lost forever. We’re talking insider tips on must-have tools, proven retrieval tactics, and how to tackle different drain types like a pro. A little preparation can save you major headaches (and costs) when the inevitable drain drop strikes.
Understanding Drain Types
Before you can launch a successful drain fishing expedition, it’s crucial to get acquainted with the different types of drains around your home. These plumbing pathways may seem simple on the surface, but they each have their own unique quirks and challenges to navigate.
Let’s start with those classic sink drains found in bathrooms and kitchens. These usually have a curved trap underneath providing a little reservoir area for fallen objects to potentially get stuck in. The traps can be easily disassembled, but the drain pipes beyond that point get trickier with all their twists and turns.
Shower and bathtub drains are a whole different beast. Rather than traps, these have a much larger basin area underneath that gunk and hair tends to accumulate in over time. Anything that falls through has to make it past that grimy pit before potentially getting stuck further down the drain line.
Then you’ve got toilet drains – the black holes of household plumbing. These are essentially just wide open vertical chutes with few spots for items to catch on initially. But those elbow joints and narrow waste pipes create plenty of potential snag points once you get further down the line.
Each drain configuration presents its own set of unique obstacles and access limitations to work around. Having a clear understanding of what you’re dealing with allows you to plan out the most effective retrieval strategy. Maybe you can get lucky with a simple trap disassembly, or perhaps you’re gonna need to break out the big guns. Either way, proper planning prevents plenty of profanity when it comes to drain fishing missions.
Immediate Steps to Take
As soon as you realize something valuable just took a dive down the drain, you’ve got to act fast before it gets washed away for good. Those first few moments are your best shot at an easy retrieval.
Step one – shut off the water supply ASAP. For sinks, get underneath and turn the hot and cold water shut-off valves all the way to the right until they stop. For showers and tubs, there’s usually a main water valve for that bathroom you can twist clockwise closed. And for toilets, kill the supply by turning the valve behind the tank clockwise until it won’t go anymore. Cutting off the water prevents your prized possession from getting flushed further down the pipes.
Next up, grab a flashlight and get down on the floor for a good look directly into that drain opening. With sinks and tubs, your item may have just gotten caught in the drain trap or basin area underneath. If you can visibly see it sitting there, your retrieval could be as simple as taking that trap apart. For toilets, those open vertical chutes make it trickier – but you may get lucky spotting the item chilling in plain view.
If you do see the object but can’t quite nab it yet, don’t go shoving tools or your hands down there blindly. That’s a surefire way to accidentally push it further away. Instead, try using a big dollop of drain cover gel or hair removal product around the opening first. That sticky goop can help grip the item in place while you figure out a better game plan.
By cutting the water and doing a quick eyeball check right off the bat, you maximize your chances of a nice easy drain fishing trip. If you can’t see the item anywhere near the surface though, it’s time to start breaking out some more advanced retrieval tactics. Don’t panic, we’re just getting warmed up!
Tools You Might Need
Depending on what type of drain you’re dealing with and how far that prized possession has ventured, you may need to enlist some specialized tools for your retrieval mission. Having the right gear on hand can make all the difference between a successful operation and lots of frustration.
For basic sink and tub drain jobs, you’ll definitely want a set of drain trap tools to easily disassemble and remove those curved pipe sections underneath. The set usually includes a slip joint pliers and a couple different removable trap arm components. With those traps out of the way, you can get direct line-of-sight into the drain for spotting and grabbing objects.
A set of drain zippit tools can also be a huge help, especially if the item has already passed the trap area. These long flexible plastic zipper strips can collapse down and work their way through all those twists and turns to hopefully snag your prize.
For more heavy-duty jobs, you may need to bring in the big guns – a handheld drain auger snake. These coiled metal cables can extend 20 feet or more into drain lines to either retrieve objects or dislodge clogs. Just take it slow and easy to avoid accidentally pushing items further away.
Having a high-powered LED flashlight is an absolute must for maximizing visibility too. You’ll want one that’s waterproof and can really beam a concentrated light source deep into those dark drain caverns to spot your target.
Other handy tools include telescoping inspection mirrors to see around pipe bends, drain sticks for retrieving hair clogs, and even inspection cameras you can run into drain lines. For real stubborn cases, a wet/dry shop vacuum can provide some serious suction power.
Being prepared with the right retrieval equipment gives you way better odds of successfully completing your drain fishing quest. Trying to wing it with just a coat hanger or set of pliers is only going to lead to headaches. Having a well-stocked kit saves time, money, and plenty of frustration.
Retrieving Items from Sink Drains
For those pesky sink drain mishaps, you’ve got a couple retrieval routes you can take depending on what tools you have access to:
The Trap Takedown
- Shut off hot/cold water supplies under sink
- Use drain trap tool to unscrew curved trap section of drain pipe
- Remove trap section to get direct line of sight into drain
- Use grabbing tool or drain zippit to retrieve item
- Reassemble trap section when finished
Snake Charmer
- If item has passed trap, you’ll need to use a drain auger snake
- Run snake cable carefully into drain until it hits obstruction
- Twist auger to latch cable onto item, then slowly retrieve
- Go slowly to avoid pushing item further away
- May need to disassemble trap for better snake access
For basic sink drain jobs, that trap removal is usually your fastest and easiest solution if the item is still trapped there. Just be ready to deal with any nasty gunk buildup that’s collected in those pipes over time. If the prize has already moved further down the line, the snake becomes your best friend.
Retrieving Items from Shower or Tub Drains
Those shower and tub drains tend to be a bit trickier customers thanks to their larger drain basin areas underneath. Here’s how to tackle these slippery situations:
Basin Recon
- Use a drain stick to fish around and dislodge any hair/gunk buildup first
- Feed drain zippit tools into drain to try snagging item in basin area
- For stuck-on gunk, use a vacuum to provide suction assistance
Pipe Pursuit
- If item has passed basin, you’ll need to go in with the snake
- Run auger cable carefully into drain line until it hits obstruction
- Twist auger to latch onto item, then slowly retrieve
- May need to remove tub drain cover for better snake access
With shower and tub drains, you’re really battling against all that nasty hair and soap scum buildup that accumulates in those basin areas over time. Getting that gunk cleared out first is crucial for maximizing your retrieval odds. If the item has moved into the drain line, the snake becomes your best ally once again.
Retrieving Items from Toilet Drains
Toilet drains are the black holes of household plumbing – anything that falls in there is in for a wild ride. Here’s how to plan your retrieval assault:
The Plunge Maneuver
- First, seal off drain opening with drain cover gel or weight
- Take toilet plunger and give drain a few forceful plunges
- This can sometimes dislodge item and force it back up drain
Pipe Pursuit
- If plunging fails, you’ll need to break out the snake
- Feed auger cable carefully into drain until it hits obstruction
- Twist auger to latch onto item, then slowly retrieve
- Go slowly to avoid pushing item further into waste pipes
For toilet drain jobs, start with the least invasive plunging method first. If that doesn’t work its magic, you’ll have to go in with the snake. These open vertical drain chutes mean anything that falls in has a clear path all the way to the sewer pipes, so quick action is key before the item gets flushed away.
No matter which type of drain you’re dealing with, the common themes are acting fast, having the right tools, and taking it slowly and carefully. A little patience and preparation can go a long way toward a successful retrieval!
Don’t Let Drain Disasters Ruin Your Day in Upstate New York
Whether it’s a pricey ring, kid’s toy, or your latest smartphone taking an unwanted plunge, Reimer’s has been the Upstate New York’s drain retrieval experts for over 100 years. Our skilled technicians know all the tricks to safely and effectively fish out any object from sink, shower, tub, or toilet drains. We arrive equipped with the latest professional-grade tools to quickly complete the job right. Don’t risk damaging your pipes by going the DIY route – one wrong move can easily turn a minor mishap into a major headache. Save yourself the stress and call Reimer at (716) 272-2371 for fast, reliable drain retrieval service!
