Check out some similar questions!

wes7tcnj · Nov 20, 2007, 07:16 PM

I am remodeling by entire bathroom. After I took the toilet out, I was trying to break off a bolf that had been stripped. The wax from the toilet made the wrench slip and it fell down the drain. I can't see it. Tried using heavy duty magnets but no luck. Help!!

plumberjames83 · Nov 20, 2007, 07:47 PM

I have droped plastic things down the drain before and used silver soder to pry and pull at the same time... I have also used a strong wet dry vac t hat has worked to

speedball1 · Nov 21, 2007, 07:47 AM

I have droped plastic things down the drain before and used silver soder to pry and pull at the same time

OK James! You're going to hafta "splain" this one to us. How can silver solder retrive anything? Besides it was a metal wrench he dropped doiwn the closet bend not plastic.
Wes7tcnj; How deep down is the bend from the flange? If it's not too far try taking a clothshanger and putting a hook in the end and try to pull the wrench back to where it's visible. Then perhaps you can grab on to it with something and pull it back. Good luck and James, we're still waiting to hear your silver solder thingy. Tom

ballengerb1 · Nov 21, 2007, 10:23 AM

Hey Wes, is your drain cast iron? If it is that magnet isn't getting to the wrench cause its grabbed by the pipe. The wrench did not go far so I am going to ask you to do what you don't want to do, that's a 4" pipe and your hand can reach in at least 12" if you start with your palm facing up. Have you tried that yet? If you don't feel the wrench with your hand just take Tom's clothes hanger in with you, it should work. I have dropped serval tools into the toilet drain and never had one disappear from sight so this is a little unusual.

plumberjames83 · Nov 21, 2007, 09:01 PM

You can bend the stick of silver soder cause its strudy bend it in to a hook and try to grab it or you can attach duct tape or hvac tape to it

TerryB · Nov 21, 2007, 10:46 PM

Before you jam your arm where the sun don't shine ;) stop by a vetinary / farm supply store and get a full arm glove. It will make this a lot less unpleasant and a lot safer/hygenic.

ballengerb1 · Nov 22, 2007, 08:59 AM

I think Wes has not been back because he got his hand stuck somewhere.

rfosburg · Aug 12, 2015, 12:04 PM

I was looking for an answer because the same thing just happened to me. Toilet was off. I cleaned off the wax. Was loosening the nut in order to remove the bolt and dropped the crescent wrench down the hole. I can't reach it to touch it. I can't see it. I tried a strong magnet on a coat hanger, but even if it attached, I don't know if it would stay through the curves. I have 2 coat hangers tied together and can't get a feel for the wrench at all. The toilet is in the basement if that makes any difference.

ma0641 · Aug 12, 2015, 01:15 PM

With enough water behind it, it may just go to the main. Keep pouring water down, if it keeps flowing you are lucky. No sense to tear thing up unless it clogs. There is no trap so you may get lucky.

massplumber2008 · Aug 12, 2015, 02:55 PM

Home Depot sells a ridgid camera for about $75.00. It has a light on the end and a 3ft reach... send that down the drain and see if you can see the wrench. If you can see the crescent wrench you can figure a way to retrieve it!

Good luck!

Mark

ballengerb1 · Aug 12, 2015, 05:27 PM

I think mass has it but just to clarify, it is a Rigid brand camera and not a rigid camera, LOL https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/inspection-cameras