We’ve all been there. Whether it’s your child’s toy or a set of car keys that got flushed in the toilet, losing something down the drain can be frustrating. Panic sets in as you try to figure out how to get it back. Don’t worry; we’re here to help!In this blog post, we’ll give you five ways to retrieve an item that has been flushed. So read on, and hopefully, you won’t have to experience this type of emergency again!

How to Retrieve Something That’s Been Flushed

Before anything else, safety first! Turn off your toilet water supply. This will protect you from any overflowing or malfunctioning if something goes wrong. Next, be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect yourself against the risk of infection. Ready?

1. Use A Plunger

A plunger is the most common way to unclog a blocked toilet. The process of plunging involves creating a vacuum in the drain, which pulls items downward and pushes them through the pipes. Although it works best on objects like hair or toys blocking your porcelain throne, you can also use this tool to retrieve an item that has been flushed. This method usually takes some time to complete, but it’s worth trying!

2. Use Strainers / Drain Nets

If plunging doesn’t work, or if you’re trying to get a smaller item out of the toilet, you can try using a strainer or drain net. These devices act as a filter for the water as it goes down the drain, and they’re perfect for catching small objects. Simply place the strainer or net over the drain and wait for your item to surface. Like plunging, this method can also be a bit time-consuming, but worth trying.

3. Try A Snake / Auger

If the two ways above did not work, try snaking. A snake is a flexible coil of wire with a handle at one end and is used to remove clogs or trapped items from both toilets and kitchen sink drain.To use a snake to get your item back, insert the wire into the toilet and look for the flusher. Hook the wire around your item and slowly pull it out of the toilet. This method usually doesn’t take too long, but if you’re still having trouble getting the object out, try jiggling or re-inserting until it comes loose!

4. Use A Vacuum Cleaner

This one may seem far-fetched, but a vacuum cleaner can do the trick in some cases. First, make sure you are using a wet/dry vacuum and you know how to operate it. Most vacuums use a plunger-like action to suck up water into the unit. In theory, this should allow you to suck up an object that has entered your toilet bowl without getting soaked from head to toe! However, the suction power may not be powerful enough to pull out an item through drain pipes that are more than 2 feet below your toilet seat, so keep this in mind if you plan on trying this method.

5. Call The Professionals

Last but not least, don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber or handyman if none of the above methods work! If you have a particularly stubborn object that won’t come loose, there is no shame in asking help from the experts. It may seem overwhelming to call someone over an accident, but they do this all day long and usually charge very reasonable rates.Accidentally flushing something down the toilet is never fun, but you can quickly fix your mistake by following the above methods. Whether you’re using a plunger, strainer, snake, or vacuum cleaner, we hope one of these methods work to retrieve your lost item. If all else fails, don’t hesitate to call Reliability Home Services. We’re the only name that matters for all your needs! We serve Stewartstown, MD, as well as all surrounding areas, so no matter what the problem may seem like, our reliable team will come through for you! 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What happens if something accidentally gets flushed down the toilet?

When you accidentally flushed something down the toilet, it gets pushed by water pressure to your home’s drain-vent system unless it clogs the toilet. When a clog happens, it is important to call the help of a professional plumber. At Reliability Home Services, we provide emergency plumbing services in Stewartstown, and we’ll retrieve any object that has been flushed down.

How do you get something dropped down the drain?

You can retrieve something that got accidentally flushed down the toilet with any of the following methods:-By using a plunger-By using strainers or drain nets-By using an auger or snake-By using a wet/dry vacuum-By calling a professional

How to unclog the toilet if something is stuck?

Follow these simple steps to unclog a toilet when something is stuck:-Wear rubber gloves.-Remove water from the toilet bowl by using a cup or container.-If you can see and reach the stuck material, pull it out.-If you can see the stuck material, but is out of reach, use a bent hanger or anything with a hook to fish it out of the drain.-If nothing works, call us for an emergency plumbing service! Reliability Home Services will send a specialist who will properly handle the job and get it done fast. Get in touch with us today at (717) 746-4095!