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-   -   Dropped earring in standing shower drain (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=207529)

  • Apr 19, 2008, 01:14 PM
    needhelp in NJ
    Dropped earring in standing shower drain
    Help! My diamond earring fell down the drain while I was in the shower. The water was obviously running. Wasn't in the shower long, so I'm hoping it hasn't been washed past the trap. Is there any way to get it back?
  • Apr 19, 2008, 01:23 PM
    progunr
    Get a BIG magnet, tie it to a really long string, drop it down as far as it will go and...
    GOOD LUCK!
  • Apr 19, 2008, 02:32 PM
    needhelp in NJ
    Gold/diamond won't stick to magnet.
  • Apr 19, 2008, 02:59 PM
    speedball1
    DO NOTrun any water in the shower. Remove the strainer and jam the
    Hose from a shop vac down in there and suction the water, and (hopefully) your ear ring right along with it. If that fails put a hook in a piece of wire and go fishing. Good luck and I hope you catch a big one. Tom
  • Apr 19, 2008, 03:34 PM
    ballengerb1
    Yep[ the magnet is out but I'm sue the ring is in the trap. Is there access to the trap from below, if so just open the trap and have abucket to catch a piont of water and an ear ring. If you can't open the trap from blow then you will be fishing. I think Tom's shop vac is proably your best bet, remember to empty the vac before you try this due to the water and the ring not likeing dirt.
  • Apr 21, 2008, 06:35 AM
    needhelp in NJ
    Thank you all for your responses.

    I've hired a plumber to open up the shower base to retrieve the earring. However I'm concrened whthere any jerky movements to remove the base will push the arring further away in the P trap. Please let me know if this is possible...

    Thanks
  • Apr 21, 2008, 07:40 AM
    speedball1
    Quote:

    I'm concrened whthere any jerky movements to remove the base will push the arring further away in the P trap. Please let me know if this is possible...
    Hopefully your earring's still down in the "J" bend,(the bell) of the trap.(see image) If it's still there is nothing the plumber can do, by cutting out the trap , that will cause the earring to slip into the drain line. Good luck and I hope you get your earring back. Tom
  • Apr 21, 2008, 07:56 AM
    ballengerb1
    I agree with Tom, if its in the trap it should stay put even with the cutting. When your plumber starts the reassemble you should ask him to install a trap with a clean out at the bottom of the bend, just for next time.
  • Apr 21, 2008, 08:42 PM
    needhelp in NJ
    Thank you.

    Hopefully I'll be able to recover my earring from the p-trap under my shower base. I dropped it after I'd shut off the water in the shower and haven't turned on the water since then. I'd tried fishing it out with a hook but met no luck! Hiring a plumber to pull up the base should meet with better results. Wish me luck...

    Thanks once again.
  • Apr 22, 2008, 07:39 AM
    ballengerb1
    Hold on a second. You do not need to pull up the shower, that is unless you are on a slab, are you? If there is a room or basement below you can open the ceiling a lot easier than tearing up a shower. Shower bases are frequently ruined in this process.
  • May 21, 2008, 07:02 AM
    needhelp in NJ
    Hello,

    I found my diamond earring in the trap after we opened up the shower base. Thank you all for your responses and good wishes.
  • May 21, 2008, 09:02 AM
    ballengerb1
    Good for you, I'd consider a better drain cover that will catch objects but let the water out.
  • May 21, 2008, 09:19 AM
    bgentry
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by needhelp in NJ
    Help! My diamond earring fell down the drain while i was in the shower. The water was obviously running. Wasn't in the shower long, so i'm hoping it hasn't been washed past the trap. is there any way to get it back?

    If you can get the trap off you can put a wet vac on the drain and suck it out if its in the drain still
  • May 21, 2008, 09:23 AM
    ballengerb1
    I think if you read post #11 the ear ring has been recovered but your suggestion is a good one.

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