Quck answer
1. Turn off the water supply to prevent further loss.
2. Remove the drain cover using a screwdriver or pliers.
3. Use a flashlight to locate the ring in the drain.
4. Retrieve the ring using a flexible wire or a drain snake.
5. If the ring is still out of reach, try using a vacuum cleaner or a magnet.
6. If all else fails, consider calling a professional plumber.
7. To prevent future accidents, use a drain strainer or stopper when wearing valuable jewelry in the bathroom.
When a ring accidentally falls down the bathtub drain, there’s no need to panic. There are several methods to retrieve a piece of jewelry that has slipped through the drain.
What to Avoid
Although it may be tempting, avoid turning on the faucet and letting water rush down the drain. This will only push the item further down and make it harder to reach.
Using a regular household vacuum cleaner carries the risk of electrocution. Always use a wet/dry shop vac when dealing with areas that have water. A vacuum not specifically designed for water can be extremely dangerous.
Using a Wet/Dry Shop Vac
If the jewelry item is still visible inside the drain, a wet/dry shop vac can be used to suck up the ring or any other small jewelry item without pushing it further down. For smaller items like earrings, tie tacks, or thin and lightweight rings, the shop vac may be powerful enough to retrieve the item from within the drain. Make sure to set the shop vac on the wet setting to avoid any risk of electrocution.
If the bathtub drain still has a stopper in place, remove it. Depending on the type of stopper, you may be able to simply pull it out or unscrew it. Place a piece of cheesecloth, nylons, or any thin fabric over the mouth of the vacuum hose. Empty the canister of the shop vac beforehand. This will prevent the jewelry item from slipping past the fabric or tearing it, ultimately getting lost in the canister debris. This step will save you from having to search through dust and debris to find the ring.
Place the covered vacuum hose over the bathtub drain. Turn on the shop vac and let it run for a few minutes to dislodge the jewelry and bring it to the surface of the covered hose. While the shop vac is still running, lift the hose from the drain so that the jewelry item remains stuck to the bottom of the covered hose. After pulling the hose away from the bathtub, remove the piece of jewelry from the hose. This will ensure that you don’t have to repeat the process.
Retrieving a Heavy Ring
A heavier piece of jewelry, such as a wedding ring, may not be easily suctioned by a wet/dry vac. In this case, you can use a specially designed grabbing and retrieving claw that is carefully inserted into the drain to fish out the ring. If you don’t have such a tool, you can try using a wire clothes hanger.
Use a flashlight to look into the bathtub drain. If you can see the ring, you may be able to retrieve it with the hanger. Shape the hanger into a hook at one end and straighten the rest to create a long and thin wire. Make sure the hook is angled enough to securely hold the ring as you lift the hanger.
Carefully insert the curved hanger into the drain and wrap it around the rim of the ring. Glide the hanger, along with the ring, up the side of the drain while ensuring that the ring remains in contact with the drain’s surface. Apply some pressure to the drain’s side as you lift the ring towards the bathtub’s surface in order to keep it securely fastened to the hook.
