How to Get Something Out of a Bathroom Sink Drain

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Things You'll Need

  • Wire clothes hanger or thick piece of wire

  • Pipe wrench

  • Bucket

  • Plumbing tape

Get Something Out of a Bathroom Sink Drain

The plumbing under most bathroom sinks will include a "P-trap," or drain catcher. The P-trap is located where the pipe bends in a "U" shape. This convenient trap prevents most items that may fall down the drain from going completely through the plumbing and getting lost. By loosening a few pipe fittings, the trap can be removed, allowing the item to be recovered. There is no need to hire a costly plumber when you can remove an item from a bathroom drain yourself.

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Step 1

Place a bucket below the bathroom sink plumbing to prevent water and drain debris from spilling onto the floor.

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Step 2

Loosen the top P-trap fitting. Use a pipe wrench if the trap is tight and hard to loosen.

Step 3

Loosen the bottom P-trap fitting. As with the top fitting, use a pipe wrench if the trap is tight and hard to loosen.

Step 4

Pull the trap in the correct direction, either clockwise or counter-clockwise depending on the model, in order to remove it. You may need to manually manipulate the pipe until it loosens.

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Step 5

Dump the contents of the trap into the bucket. If items are stuck in the pipe catcher, use a thick piece of wire to force them out. You can also use a wire hanger to slide through the catcher.

Step 6

Use the thick metal wire or hanger to push out any objects that may be stuck in the drain pipe above the P-trap. All items will fall in the bucket that was placed below the plumbing.

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Step 7

Place the trap back in place and tighten the fittings to reinstall the plumbing back to the sink. Place plumbing tape around the threads on the pipe to ensure that there will be no leaks.

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