Watching a wedding ring clank down your drain can be heart-breaking. But before you consider it lost, know that there are plenty of ways to retrieve it. The process can take time and effort—even professional plumbing services in some cases. With dedication, however, you’ll be able to get your jewelry back from the drain.

How to Salvage Jewelry From Your Drain

1. Use Tongs

Jewelry that’s fallen into wider drains or garbage disposals can often be retrieved with tongs or a pronged fork. First, cut power from the garbage disposal and turn off the water to ensure you don’t accidentally damage or flush the jewelry. Shine a flashlight into the drain and fish around with the tools until you find your lost item.

2. Magnets

Metal items that have fallen into a shallow drain or garbage disposal can be easily retrieved with a strong magnet. If you only have small magnets on hand, attach one to a string and lower it into your drain. If your jewelry is made of silver or gold, however, this method won’t work since these precious metals aren’t attracted to magnets.

3. Unhook the P-Trap

If your jewelry jangled well down the drain, it’s likely caught in the P-Trap. This U-shaped pipe is installed under most sinks and can be easily taken apart. Turn off the water supply, lay a towel beneath the area, and slowly unscrew the slip nuts on the P-trap. Expect plenty of food, grime, and debris to spill out. Sort through it to find your jewelry. If you aren’t comfortable disassembling your plumbing, contact a professional right away before it gets flushed further down.

If you need a hand with your plumbing, contact Chugach Sewer and Drain. This Anchorage plumbing repair company offers a variety of services, including sewer cleaning, hydro excavation, and lift station repair. Explore these services on their website and call (907) 929-5072 today to schedule an inspection or drain cleaning.