Most have experienced, or been close to someone who has experienced the devastation of having lost something precious down the sink; a sentimental ring, earrings, necklaces, cuff links, even contacts are just some of the examples. When something precious to you, whether it has sentimental or financial value, or both, you hold your breath and hope that all is not lost. There is some hope if something you love slips down the drain. Orsack Plumbing Company would like to share some steps you can do to potentially retrieve those treasures.
Troubleshooting Valuables Clogging Your Drains
The P-trap and J-Bend often accumulate the strands of hair the go down the drain, and that is where your items might be if luck is on your side. Investigating the highly probable locations is easy enough, and even inexperienced people can do it. With that in mind, grab a bucket and let us get started.
1) Locate the water valve to the sink and make sure to switch it to the off position as a safety measure to avoid any kind of flooding. Place your handy bucket under the sink where the pipe work is located. If there is any excess water lingering in the pipes, the bucket will catch it before it has a chance to spill everywhere.
2) Find the J-Bend; the J-Bend is the piping that looks like, you guessed it, a “J”, simply unscrew the slip nut; you do not need any tools for this, as it should unscrew with your hands. When unscrewing your slip nut, just keep in mind the reminder phrase “righty-tighty and lefty-loosey”.
3) After the slip nut is unscrewed, there is a nylon washer just under it. Let the slip nut rest in position as you take care of the rest.
4) On the other side of the J-Bend is another slip nut, unscrew that one as well. Keep your hand firmly on the J-Bend and prepare yourself to support it from falling after you have unscrewed the last slip nut.
5) Next to the J-Bend is a horizontal pipe, to help keep the slip nuts out of the way, slip them onto that horizontal pipe.
6) Carefully remove the J-Bend to discover goop, hair, debris and your once lost possession.
7) Make sure the drain is properly sealed; following disposing of the refuse you can rinse away the nasty goo to uncover your item. Be sure to tuck it in a safe place while you put your sink back together.
8) Connect the J-Bend back into its fitted position and slide the front slip nut back to its original spot and tighten it up, following the last slip nut and tighten that up too.
9) Take your bucket out of the way and if any water got caught, flush it our accordingly.
10) If you took the time to turn the water off, don’t forget to switch it back on.
11) Give yourself a high five for completing a successful retrieval mission.
Emergency Plumbing Services in Spring, The Woodlands, Magnolia, Montgomery & Conroe Texas
Having your treasures lost down the drain can be a difficult thing, if you are unable to complete the steps listed above for one reason or another, contact Orsack Plumbing Company and our helpful experts can assist you.
