The first thing you should do is shut off the water. You can either shut off your main water valve to the entire home or turn off the water valve that only goes to the affected drain. This will prevent any flooding or water damage.
Remove the plug from your drain. If it is a fixed plug, you may be able to simply unscrew and remove it. If not, you may have to disconnect the retaining rod from the plunger that opens and closes the drain, releasing the plug. Keep a bucket underneath to sink to catch any potential water spills.
If the item you dropped down the drain is not far down, you may be able to use pliers or thin tongs to gently pick it up and remove it through the drain. Be careful as you do this, trying not to scratch the edges of the drain.
If your treasured item isn’t close enough to the top of the drain to get out yourself with pliers, it’s time to call in the professionals. A plumber will be able to safely remove the P-trap under your sink to recover your lost item and reassemble your plumbing properly. Many people try this step on their own but, unless you have a lot of experience, you’re likely to cause more problems or be unable to put things back together the right way. Call a professional instead.
Need help with a precious item lost down the drain or any other plumbing issues, repairs, or upgrades? Butler Plumbing, Heating & Gasfitting is here to get the job done right.