Something got dropped down the drain

Symptoms

• A specific small item was seen or heard going down the drain
• Water still drains normally around the object
• Item is valuable or important enough to be worth recovering
• No chemical drain cleaner has been used yet

Likely causes

• CommonItem lodged in the P-trap just under the sinkThe curved trap often catches small dropped items before they go further into the plumbing.
• PossibleItem lodged further down in the trap arm or branch lineHeavier or smaller items can sometimes travel past the trap.
• Less commonItem already washed further down the main lineLess likely to be recoverable without professional equipment if it's traveled this far.

What to do

1. Stop running water in that drain immediately to avoid pushing the item further down.
2. Do not use a chemical drain cleaner, since it won't help retrieve an item and can make it unsafe to reach into the trap.
3. Place a bucket under the P-trap and loosen the slip nuts on both ends by hand or with pliers.
4. Remove the trap and check inside for the item, along with any accumulated debris.
5. If it's not in the trap, check the trap arm leading toward the wall, since some items travel a bit further before catching on rough spots.
6. Reassemble the trap securely once you've checked it, tightening the slip nuts hand-tight plus a partial turn.
7. If the item isn't found and is valuable, a plumber with a camera or specialized retrieval tool may be able to locate it further down the line.

Tools and parts

• Adjustable pliers
• Bucket
• Flashlight

When to call a pro

Call a plumber if the item isn't in the trap and is valuable enough to justify a camera inspection or specialized retrieval.

Safety