One of the cringe moments that can jar your life is accidentally flushing something valuable down the toilet. When it happens, you feel helpless and think that there is no way to get the item back. If you have ever wondered what happens if you flush something valuable down the toilet, the good news is that you may be able to get a flushed ring down the toilet back.

A local company that offers plumbing repair in McHenry, Illinois, may be able to locate the item and fish it out. So, contact a professional plumber before you tear your system up retrieving something from the toilet. A plumber has the tools necessary to pull it back out while leaving your plumbing system intact. 

Where Did the Flushed Item Go?

When you flush a valuable item down a toilet, you may think that it disappears into the abyss. However, there are several places where it may have lodged.

The Outlet

Different toilets have different designs. Some toilets flush straight into the main drain, while others have a trapway and outlet that winds around before connecting to the main drain. The object could be lodged in the outlet. If so, it’s the last stop before going down the main drain. So, you don’t want to mess with it. 

P-trap or Trapway

A p-trap is a u-shaped bend in the waste pipe that connects the toilet to the septic tank or sewer line. Not every toilet has a p-trap. However, if it does, there is a good chance that the item is in the trap. If so, a plumber in McHenry, Illinois, should be able to get it out. Again, this should be done professionally so that you don’t lose your flushed ring down the toilet.

Septic Tank

The septic tank holds the wastewater until it settles at the bottom of your septic system or goes into the sewer line. The bottom of the septic tank is filled with every type of sludge imaginable. If your item found its way into the septic tank, a plumber can still retrieve it. However, it is a major undertaking that could cost you time and money.

Sewer Line

Perhaps the most difficult and nasty place to retrieve the ring is the sewer line. The plumber uses an advanced suction method to suck the ring back up the pipes and retrieve it. Keep in mind that this method is not guaranteed but does increase the chance of you getting your ring or another item back.

What NOT to Do If an Object Gets Flushed Down the Toilet

One small mistake can worsen a bad situation when trying to retrieve a flushed ring down the toilet. Below are some tips on avoiding doing if you flush a valuable object down the toilet.

Don’t Panic

If you flushed a ring down the toilet, your knee-jerk reaction may be to DO something. However, your best option is to back away and do nothing within the first few seconds. When dealing with a flushed ring down the toilet, homeowners often panic, which leads to doing things that worsen the situation. 

Remember that whatever has happened to the item occurred within the first few seconds of the flush. So, there is little you can do to improve the situation. However, if you panic and take action, there is a good chance that you’ll make the situation worse. So, back away, take a few deep breaths, and think through the situation.

Don’t Flush the Toilet

Perhaps the worst thing you can do if you flush something valuable down the toilet is to flush the toilet. Flushing causes suction due to the rapid descent of the water down the drainpipe. If the item in question is small enough to go down the drain opening, it will likely go down the pipe. 

You may be wondering why someone would flush after losing an item in a toilet. There are two reasons. First, they may be trying to drain the toilet so that they don’t have to stick their hand in the water. 

Second, they may have loosened a pipe and believe that they can flush the item into their hand. However, flushing the item typically results in it ending up in the septic tank or sewer line.

Don’t Try to Fish the Object Out of the Toilet

Another mistake that people make after flushing an item down the toilet is trying to get it back out. Once the item swirls down the bowl, you may try to bend a clothes hanger or use a snake to get the item back out. However, attempting to fish the item out rarely works. In fact, it usually makes the situation worse. How?

A toilet drain is a small space. Once an object goes down the toilet, into the trap, or down the drain, there is little room for anything else. If you try to fish it out with a hanger, the hanger may push the item further down the drain. The item you are using to fish out the lost item can make water waves, pushing the item down. 

Schedule Plumbing Repair in McHenry, Illinois

If you have an item such as a flushed ring down the toilet and need help getting it out, contact J. Blanton Plumbing. We offer bathroom plumbing installation and plumbing repair in McHenry, Illinois. To schedule service, fill out our contact form or give us a call.