To make this process as sanitary as possible, put on a pair of elbow-length rubber gloves before sticking your hand in the toilet. If there is a lot of water in the toilet bowl, it may be easier to reach the item if you use a disposable cup or container to scoop out some of the water first. [2] X Research source Make sure that you wash your hands and the item thoroughly after retrieving it from the toilet.
When pushing the hook end down the drain, try to gently trace the top of the drain pipe to avoid pushing the item further down. Then, when the hook is down as far as it can go, push it down and gently trace the bottom of the drain pipe as you pull the hook back up. Hopefully, the hook will catch hold of the item on its way out. Depending on how your toilet drain is shaped, you may need to bend the hanger to allow it to bend into the drain pipe. If the item is made of common metal, try pushing a flexible magnetic retriever into the toilet drain and through the toilet trap. However, this won’t work on solid gold or silver. [4] X Expert Source Dave JonesMaster Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
If you aren’t sure where the item is and didn’t feel it as you pushed the drain snake down, push the snake down as far as it will go. Then, try to feel around for the item as you slowly pull the drain snake back out. Drain snakes are available online and at most home improvement stores. When choosing a drain snake to use, choose an option that has a coiled or hooked end. This will make it easier for you to grab ahold of the item.
After removing the dry dust bag and filter, put the top back on the collection tank.
You may feel or hear the item move as you push the hose down. If so, direct the end of the hose so that the opening points at the item.
Some wet/dry vacuums have a separate setting when vacuuming water, so make sure that you turn your vacuum on accordingly.
If you don’t see the item in the collection tank but you suspect that it was sucked up, check the vacuum’s hose as well. The item may have gotten lodged in the hose.
You may need to repeat this process a few times before the item gets sucked up into the vacuum.
If you can’t find the valve or if the valve is stuck in place, you’ll likely need to turn off the water to your house for a short time. In most cases, you can do this by switching off the water supply from the control unit, which is usually located in the basement or an interior closet.
You can also use a baster to suction water out of the tank and bowl.
Set the bolts or screws aside in a safe place so you’ll be able to use them later to re-secure your toilet into place.
The water line bolt is usually a large plastic bolt with ridges to make it easier to grip and unscrew.
Toilets are very heavy, so be sure to lift with your legs, not your back. [15] X Expert Source Dave JonesMaster Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup Expert Interview. 13 December 2021. You may also want to get someone to help you lift the toilet and get it safely down on its side. You may want to lay a towel or blanket down on the ground so that your toilet will be protected when you lay it on its side.
The inside of the waste opening may be dark, so it can be helpful to have a flashlight on hand to help you see into the toilet. In addition to the waste opening, you may also want to look at the wax ring that runs along the bottom of the toilet, as very small items, such as a piece of jewelry, could’ve gotten caught on the wax ring.
