How to Get Jewelry Out of Your Sink or Shower Drain

We’ve all had those “uh-oh” moments when it comes to plumbing. But there’s almost no worse feeling than dropping your favorite piece of jewelry down the sink or the shower drain. If this has happened to you, don’t panic! Just when you thought you lost it for good, we’re here to help you get it back. Here’s how:

The Sink

Step 1. Try a magnet: Before trying to revive it from the drain by hand, see if you can try to snatch your jewelry using a long magnet. However, if you’re not having luck with this trick or your jewelry is anything but gold or silver, move onto the next step.

Step 2. Turn off the water. If you can find the shut off valve under the sink, your next best bet is to shut off the water supply. Call your plumber if you’re unsure where yours is located.

Step 3. Take apart the P-trap. Do you see that U-shaped pipe under your sink? You’ll want to remove that, but first place a bucket underneath the pipe to save yourself a potentially big mess. Next, if your trap has a drain plug, go ahead and remove it to release the water. Then, take apart the P-trap by loosening the slip nuts on both sides. Dump out what’s left of the water and your diamond should be there.

The Shower

Step 1. Remove the drain cover. If there aren’t any screws holding down your drain cover, go ahead and pop the cover off by “wedging” a screwdriver behind it and popping it off. If the screws are there, you’ll need your screwdriver to loosen them.

Step 2. Look for the artifact. If you see your jewelry, you can retrieve it by using a flexible retrieval tool. You can buy this at your local hardware store if you don’t have one already. 

Step 3. Vacuum it up. If you can’t see your jewelry, you next plan of action is to try sucking it up with a wet-dry vacuum. First, you’ll want to turn the wet setting on and put the end of the hose into the shower drain as far down as it can go. While the vacuum is running, remove the hose and hold it straight up in the air. If your jewelry is there, great news - it will fall into the vacuum tank! Lastly, shut the vacuum off, remove the top of the tank, and dump out the gucky contents onto an old towel. You have to do a little digging to find your piece of jewelry and shine it up.

Step 4. Put the drain cover back on. Be careful putting your drain cover back on, especially if it needs to be screwed on - screws can fall down the drain too, which is a whole other problem you want to avoid!

If you need help retrieving your (almost) lost jewelry, contact Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter! We are here to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call at 516.874.7937 or visit our website for more information.

Find the Perfect Bathroom Sink

Looking for the perfect bathroom sink? From size to personal style, there are many factors to think about before buying one. No sink is alike, which makes the decision all the more difficult, but don’t worry! In an attempt to help, we’ve compiled a list of different bathroom sinks you should consider:

Wall mounted sinks. Is your bathroom on the small side? A wall mounted sink may be the ideal solution. It allows for more space even if yours is very limited. Some feature decorative covers that are installed over your plumbing and drain pipe to suit your interior style!

Pedestal sinks. Similar to the wall mounted sink, these sinks are attached to the wall but rests on top of a pedestal, which is mounted to the ground. These are also a great option for small baths as there is no need for a bulky vanity.

Vessel sinks. For unlimited design options, choose a vessel sink. These sinks are simply free-standing bowls that rest on your vanity (though partially mounted). The steepness of these bowls also make it less likely for you to splash all over your countertops when washing up.

Self-rimming square sinks. These square sinks are cut out and placed perfectly in your vanity top, secured by the unique design of its rim. Self-rimming sinks feature molding around the edges for a more traditional appearance.

Once you’ve settled on the perfect sink for your bathroom, make sure your plumbing is properly installed. Nassau County Plumbing and Sewer Rooter offers all of the plumbing, sewer and drain services you need to keep your bathroom sink running as perfect as it looks! Call us today at 877.713.8136 for emergency services or visit our website for more information.