Hi. This morning as I was getting ready for work, my cat knocked the lid to my makeup into the sink. It's a round plastic lid. It is about 3 inches into the pipe. I'm not sure how to get it out. I've tried tweezers and I couldn't get it to budge. I can't really afford to call a plumber. Any ideas?

Whatever you do, don't call a plumber for this one (no offense to you plumbers!)

If you can't pick it out from above (hmm.. try chopsticks.. take one and push on the side of the cap so it spins up and down - like a valve that is open - then use the chopsticks to grab it)

Then you can remove the pipe and get it out. Almost all bathroom sinks have a "trap" which is a curved pipe designed to catch things like rings, etc , if they fall in. Between the sing and the trap should be a simple straight pipe. If its metal, use a wrench to unscrew the trap. If its plastic (not pvc, but lightweight plastic with "rings" where they connect) you should be able to just use your hands to unscrew it.

METAL EXAMPLE:
http://www.hometips.com/articleimages/20070627104229_plb_connecting_bathroom_sinkdrain_c bb1.jpg

PLASTIC EXAMPLE:
http://www.superhomeideas.com/images/Plumbing__14_.JPG

Move the trap to the side enough to clear the sink drain pipe. Go grab a long screwdriver (or a long handled wooden spoon from the kitchen)

Im guessing you don't have a drain plug (or it wouldn't have fallen down there)
Take the spoon and push the cap down through.

If you do have a plug, try to push it up from underneath.

If you still can't get it to come out you may need to remove the pipe from the bottom of the sink.

Good Luck!

Thank you so much! I'll try it when I get home. It's in there pretty good. Water wouldn't even pass through it. I'm hoping I can nudge it out of the way. Thanks again!

If the chopsticks idea doesn't work, you can also try a plunger. It should create enough suction to get the cap out.

Hi Jenn,

Staticfx nailed down good for you, I am also attaching the Image below, it is very easy to remove the trap Just loosen the two slip nuts that I have indicated for you make sure you have a container under the sink other wise it will be a make a mess, once you remove the trap you find the lid, good luck.

John

Hi all...

Depending on setup, you could also take a metal coat hanger and bend to make a hook that will allow you to DISLODGE the cap.

Then, you could use the tweezers or a retrieving tool... see picture. The 24" retrieving tool is avialable at home depot/lowes for $8-9.00

Otherwise pushing the cap down into the ptrap and retrieving it, if pipes not corroded, will work well here, to... ;)

Good luck!

MARK

Get a metal coat hanger, undo the twist where it is twisted together, straighten out one end, leaving the bent part on the wire, now heat the wire over the cook stove until it is pretty warm, now stick the wire thourgh the lid, leave it there for a few minutes and then lift it out, the lid should come with it.

And this comes form a plumber that staticFX said not to call. If this helps please let me know.

Here is my favorite if you know a fisherman. Get a small treble hook on about 1' of heavy line,lower it into the sink and pull up sharply.