At one time or another we all have dropped an object down the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry sink, such as a ring, earrings, a safety pin, or maybe car keys. Even if the object has no value, we need to get it out so that the sink drain works right.
You will need a bucket to put under the sink area while you are working there. Also have some rags on hand for cleanup. You should also get a pipe wrench or slip joint pliers, along with a can of WD-40.
What does the sink trap look like? It is the u-shaped pipe located right under the sink. Set your bucket below the u section. Examine the pipe carefully. The trap can be made of many different kinds of material, like copper and chrome, although the newer ones are made of plastic or PVC piping.
There are two slip nuts to remove. If they are hard to turn, use a lubricating spray on them. WD-40 is a convenient, effective product. Turn the nuts counter-clockwise, and if the nuts are copper or chrome, slide the slip nut down and remove the washers. For plastic, remove both the slip nuts and washers. If any of the pipes, nuts, or washers are in bad shape, you will have to replace them. Or if they are really old, you can go ahead and get new pipes and nuts. Plus you should always replace the washers. Just take the old ones to your closest hardware store so you will make sure that you get the right size parts.
When you are taking the trap off, after you have unloosened the nuts, put a stopper in the sink until you are sure your bucket will hold all the water. After you have emptied your bucket, put it back under the pipe and remove the stopper to drain the rest of the water. Once you have found the object that you lost and you have installed all of your new parts or cleaned the old ones, you are ready to put the sink back together. Some people use plumbers’ tape to put over the threads for a better seal. Now slide on the slip nut. Then add a washer to the tailpiece. Connect the straight end to the tailpiece. Slip the washer over the joint where the two pipes meet. Move the slip nut on top of the washer and tighten with your fingers. Be careful that you are putting it on straight, not cross threading the nut. Then place the slip nut, followed by the washer, onto the trap arm. As before, slip the washer over the joint after you have connected the bend of the trap with the trap arm. When you have moved the slip nut on top of the washer, tighten it by hand. Tighten the assembly with a pipe wrench. When this seems tight, run the water and check for leaks before you remove the bucket.
Wipe up spills or splashes and put away your tools, then enjoy the fruits of your labor!
