Strategies for Recovering Items Accidentally Disposed in the Toilet
Life sometimes takes an unexpected turn, and it's quite probable that you'll end up accidentally dropping something into the toilet at some point. Children, with their curiosity, often throw in toys or keys, while adults encounter mishaps that lead to unwanted items falling into the water. Whether you're looking to retrieve a valuable item like a piece of jewelry or a wallet, or you want to prevent it from causing a sewer blockage, here's what you should do instead of panicking.
Commence with a plunger
If your object is large enough, it's unlikely to have traveled too far down the drain. You might just be able to fish it out before it causes an obstruction. Ensure the plunger is correctly positioned around the drain and give it several forceful pumps up and down. Keep a keen eye between strokes for any signs of your flushed item to avoid pushing it further down. If you have a friend, they can put on gloves and grab the object if you spot it to prevent it from slipping back into the drain.
Attempt a wire hanger or hook
Straighten a wire hanger, bend the end into a hook, and then slip it down the toilet's drain to see if you can snag the object. Alternatively, you can use a flexible grabber tool to gently retrieve your flushed item. Avoid exerting too much pressure to avoid damaging your toilet's porcelain or the seal between the toilet and the drain pipe.
Utilize a magnet
If the item that was flushed is a set of keys, or something else magnetic, you can try using a magnet to retrieve it. A magnetic retrieval set would be ideal, but if you don't have one, you can try a magnet on a string, using gravity to guide it down the drain. Make sure your magnet is securely attached; losing it in the drain after the keys is the last thing you want.
Deplete the water from the toilet
If all else fails, turn off the water supply to the toilet using the shutoff valve on the wall behind it. Then, empty the toilet bowl and tank using a container. Once the bowl is empty, you can attempt to use a wet-dry vac to suction water out of the drain. You might be able to retrieve a smaller item like a piece of jewelry using this method. Additionally, a siphon pump can be used to pull water out of the toilet drain and see if you have any success. Repeat the first two steps if you have no luck with a siphon or vacuum.
Employ a toilet auger
If you're concerned with the clog caused by the accidentally flushed object, but not with retrieving the item, you can try using a toilet auger to dislodge the blockage. Remember that using an auger doesn't guarantee that you're not just pushing the clog further down the drain, so make sure to test it before causing an overflow by scooping water out of the bowl before flushing. Never use a regular, unprotected auger on a toilet to prevent damaging the seal or the toilet itself. Opt for a toilet-specific auger, which has a protective sleeve to shield the metal parts of the snake from the fixture.
Use an auger at the cleanout cap
If you have a basement or crawlspace, or any access point to your main sewer pipe before it leaves your property, you likely have a cleanout cap. Find it by following your smaller drain lines to your larger, main sewer line. The cleanout cap will be a split-off from the main sewer line that you can unscrew. Once you locate and open it, you can employ a drain auger to clear the clog in the cleanout pipe.
Contact a plumber
If none of these methods work, or if you have sewage water backing up into your home, it's time to call a professional plumber. While DIY solutions are often preferable due to their cost-effectiveness and sense of accomplishment, some plumbing issues require the expertise of a licensed plumber. Sewage water can cause damage if left untreated and may pose a health risk, so it's essential to consider these factors when attempting to retrieve your accidentally flushed item.
After accidently flushing keys down the toilet, trying to retrieve them at home becomes a priority. Instead of panicking, you can commence with a plunger, ensure it's correctly positioned, and give several forceful pumps up and down. Keep a keen eye between strokes for any signs of the keys to avoid pushing them further down. If you can't find the keys with the plunger, consider employing a magnet or a wire hanger with a bent hook to retrieve them.
