What to Do When Something Valuable Has Been Flushed

It can’t be. It is. What do I do? My diamond ring has been flushed down the toilet!

It happens. Valuable items end up in the toilet and out of habit, we toilet flush. Is it too late?
If you notice the dropped item before pushing the toilet flush handle, grab some gloves and pull it out. If you eye it mid swirl or realize it as an afterthought, it’s probably headed to the underground waterway at a rapid pace.

However, there is a chance your diamond ring or expensive jewelry is lingering within the toilet parts. It could be at the bottom of the toilet bowl, within the waste opening, around the toilet wax ring or lodged within the nook and cranny of a curved pipe.

If the flushed item has emotional, sentimental and/or monetary value, calling for professional plumbing assistance is definitely recommended. A local plumber will have the proper equipment and the expertise in recovery.

We understand that time does not always allow for professional help. Finding your lost ring on your own is a possibility. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer and are up for the challenge, here are some steps to retrieving that irreplaceable item.

Once was enough. Most toilets have the suction power to pull a ring and other valuable jewelry through the toilet bowl parts during the flushing process. If you flush the toilet again, your ring will be pushed farther down the drainpipe.

There is always an exception. Older toilets may not have the flushing force of some of the newer models and will increase your chances of finding the item still within the toilet bowl. Or in a stroke of luck, you didn’t hit the toilet handle all the way and the result was a half-flush. One can hope.

Either way, locate some rubber gloves and some wire. If you see the see the item, fish it out. If you do not see the item, check around the opening in the bottom of the bowl. It may be just out of sight.

While you are up close and personal with the toilet, it is best to turn off your toilet’s water supply. Turning off the water supply will prevent flooding and save you in the event you accidentally hit the toilet flush handle again.

Turning off the toilet’s water supply can be achieved by turning the toilet valve completely clockwise. The toilet valve is usually located behind the toilet, or possibly located in the basement.

Most toilets have a water tank with a liftable lid. The water tank is also referred to as a cistern. Merely, lift the lid directly off the water tank, or cistern if you prefer, and set it aside. We recommend setting it out of the way until you are ready to put it back on the toilet.

It will make your life much easier to drain the remaining water from the toilet bowl. You can use a small plastic container or cup to scoop the water out. A baster type appliance will also do the trick.

In case you aren’t aware, we are headed towards removing the toilet from the ground. This will require you to untighten the screws that connect the toilet to the floor. You will need a wrench and/or a putty knife to remove the bolt covers and the bolts themselves.

Once the bolts are removed, it is time to remove the toilet. At this point, it wouldn’t hurt to have some help. With a partner, lift the toilet and set it gently on the bathroom floor.

Now that the toilet is on the bathroom floor, you will need to tip it on its side, find a flashlight and look inside the waste opening. Also, inspect the wax ring. The toilet wax ring is half connected to the floor and half attached to the flange. Your ring could have gotten stuck in any of these toilet parts so look carefully.

Did you find your ring in the waste opening, wax ring or anywhere around these toilet parts? We hope so!

If not, it may still be there. It may just be out of immediate view or reach. Your best option is to contact a local plumber. A plumber will use a scope and/or camera to look into and inspect the drainpipes. We know plumbers have retrieved many items from flushing so we are rooting for you!

If you did find your ring, Congratulations! Now, it’s time to put the toilet back together.

It’s a good idea to replace toilet wax ring with a new wax ring whenever you remove the toilet. To be honest, replacing the wax ring is more than a good idea; it’s something you need to do.

The toilet seal ring prevents water from leaking onto your floor. It also keeps sewer odors, gas and the sewer smell out of your bathroom. Considering the consequences, we bet you think a new toilet ring is a good idea too.

After replacing the old wax ring with a new one, it’s time to put all the other toilet parts back in their rightful places. Attach the toilet to the floor, put the lid back on your toilet’s tank and turn on the water.

If any of your other toilet parts need fixing, now is the time. While you are picking up a new toilet seal ring, go ahead and get a new toilet flapper, toilet fill valve and toilet flush valve as needed.

Once you’ve put your toilet back together, flush a couple of times to ensure the wax ring is completely working. As long as your toilet bowl is clean, any leaking water will be clean. Better to know now, then when you have an active user!

Flushing items down the toilet happens quite often. From car keys to toys, pill bottles to nail clippers, the plumbers here at Val Gross Blue Mills Plumbing have successfully retrieved many wedding rings and expensive jewelry.

If you have a flushed item, don’t hesitate to call us. We are here for you!