It’s easy to panic if you accidentally drop jewelry down the drain. Fortunately, there are several DIY methods that can help you successfully retrieve rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. If you’ve dropped a piece of jewelry down your drain, use the following helpful tips to try to fish them out before contacting a plumber. 

3 Ways to Retrieve Jewelry After It Falls Down a Drain

1. Prepare the Plumbing

Shut off your main water supply valve to prevent moisture from dripping onto your flooring and causing damage. You’ll need to remove the plug to gain access to the drain. Loosen the nut on the horizontal pivot arm beneath the sink, then separate the drain plug and plunger from the arm. This should allow you to pull out the plug so you can see your jewelry. 

2. Try Using Tools

Once you remove the drain plug, you can try to use a telescoping rod with a strong magnet at the end to retrieve metal jewelry. For pieces made from non-magnetic materials, as well as all jewelry in general, use a bent coat hanger or grasping tool with a prong at the end to remove the jewelry from the drain. 

3. Disconnect the P Trap

If you can’t see your jewelry after removing the drain plug, you’ll need to remove the P trap, which is the U-shaped tube beneath your sink. Place a bucket beneath it to catch any residual water in the pipe. Loosen the slip nuts on each side of the pipe, and then pull out the tube. When you pour out the contents of the tube into the bucket, your jewelry should wash out with it. 

If DIY methods fail to retrieve your jewelry, get in touch with the team at AAA Plumbing Repair Service. Since 1976, these plumbers have provided drain cleaning and maintenance to Roanoke, VA clients. Call (540) 344-6800 to get a quote on plumbing repairs and book an appointment. Visit the website to learn more about how these plumbers can keep your plumbing clean and serviceable.