What to Do If You Accidentally Flushed Something Down the Toilet

We’ve all been there. Your necklace charm falls off your neck, your toddler throws his dinosaur toy, and your cat accidentally knocks your phone off the bathroom counter—there are several different ways it can happen. But in the long run, we’ve all flushed something down the toilet by mistake. It happens! If you’ve accidentally flushed something down the toilet, take a deep breath and continue reading. We’re here to help!

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How to Retrieve Something Flushed Down the Toilet

Most of the time, accidentally flushing something down the toilet doesn’t mean the object is gone forever. Usually, it’s easier to retrieve your lost object than you may think. If you can still see the object at the base of the toilet bowl, then it’s only partially flushed or didn’t make it down. If this is the case, strap on some rubber gloves and gently fish your object out.

Unfortunately, if you can no longer see the object, it may require a little more effort to retrieve it. Here’s what to do:

• First, try using a plunger to see if gentle pressure is enough to bring the object into view. Sometimes, a larger object won’t make it all the way down the waste pipe; using a plunger may break it free and bring it to the surface.

• If a plunger didn’t work, you could try using a bent wire hanger. This method is a bit risky though—you could end up lodging the item in the pipe or scratching your toilet bowl. If you decide to try, form a small hook shape at the end, and leave the rest of the wire hanger as straight as possible. Then, gently trace the top of the drainpipe with your wire hook and push down gently. When the hook is inserted, swivel it around as you gently pull up. If the item is metal, you could try attaching a magnet to the top of your hook.

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What If You Can’t Retrieve the Object?

If neither a plunger nor a wire hanger retrieved your missing object, it might be time to call in the pros. Before damaging your toilet or pipes, consider letting a professional plumber use their specialty equipment to find your missing object. For example, Mr. Rooter Plumbing has a very cool method of finding missing objects in the toilet. Instead of blindly fishing around your pipes, we can perform a plumbing video inspection to find the exact location of your missing item! This way, we can choose the best method to retrieve the object while doing the least amount of demolition to your pipes and plumbing system.

Trust Your Local Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Reliable Help

So, what happens if you flush a ring down the toilet? If none of the above methods helped you find it, call Mr. Rooter. We’ll do our best to find your ring, and we’ll make sure your toilet is in good working order. Give us a call or request an estimate online today.