How To Retrieve an Item from a Sink Drain Quickly and Safely

Posted on June 8, 2023 by weilhammerplumbing

Have you ever dropped a valuable item down the sink drain and felt the sinking feeling of dread? You know that it’s going to be difficult, if not impossible, to retrieve – but don’t despair! With a few simple tools and techniques, you can get your items back quickly and safely.

Whether it’s jewelry or an earring stuck in your sink drain or something larger like keys or a phone in the shower drain of your bathtub, we’ll show you how to do it without damaging anything. So read on for our handy guide on how to retrieve an item from a sink drain quickly and safely.

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Did You Lose an Item Down the Drain? Here are 3 Steps to Getting It Back

Drain Cover Removal

The first step is to remove the drain cover. This may be a bit tricky, as some covers are more tightly sealed than others. If you’re having difficulty, try using an adjustable wrench or pliers to loosen the covering before lifting it off. Use pliers to grip the edges of the drain cover and twist it counterclockwise. Use an adjustable wrench to grip the edges and turn it in the same direction. If neither of these solutions work, you may need to call a licensed plumber to safely remove the drain cover without causing damage to your sink or plumbing. Remember, it’s always important to exercise caution when dealing with plumbing issues to prevent unintentional damage.

Auger or Drain Snake

Once the drain cover is removed, you can use a metal coat hanger with the hook cut off to reach in and retrieve your item. Bend the end of the hanger into a small hook shape (be sure not to make it too sharp) and put on a rubber glove for added protection from bacteria and dirt that might be present in your sink or shower drain. Gently lower the hanger into the drain until it contacts your item, then carefully lift it out.

If this doesn’t work, you may need to use a drain snake. These tools are designed to reach deep into drains and grab items that have become stuck in the pipes. Connect the snake to an extension rod and lower it into your sink or shower drain until it contacts your item – then carefully twist it to hook onto the object before gently lifting it out.

Professional Plumbing Service

For really stubborn items, you may need to enlist professional assistance. A qualified Indianapolis plumber will be able to access your drains using specialized equipment and retrieve any lost items quickly and safely. Whatever method you choose, do remember that there is always a risk of damaging your plumbing system when retrieving objects from sinks or shower drains.

Stay Up to Date With Routine Drain Cleaning and Maintenance

To maintain the cleanliness and functionality of your kitchen and bathroom, it’s important to keep your sink, shower, and tub drains well-maintained. With frequent use, these drains can become clogged with hair, soap scum, and other debris, resulting in slow drainage or even a complete blockage. To avoid the hassle of drain repair, consider implementing a regular maintenance routine that includes the use of a drain cleaner or a DIY solution of baking soda and vinegar. Additionally, make sure to never pour grease or oil down your drains, as these substances can solidify and cause major blockages over time. By taking care of your drains, you can ensure they’re working properly and avoid any potential plumbing issues down the road.

The next time you lose something important down the drain, don’t hesitate to reach out to us right away! Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for licensed and insured plumbing service in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our state-licensed master plumbers serve residential and commercial clients.

How to Unclog a Sink if the Drain Snake Does Not Work

Posted on June 9, 2022 by weilhammerplumbing

Whether you call it a drain snake, plumber snake, or small drum auger, virtually every renter and homeowner has one. You can purchase a drain snake at the grocery store, the dollar store, the home improvement store, and at almost any online retailer of the sort. They are easily accessible and very inexpensive, so they are a highly recommended tool to have around the house. You can even use them to unclog toilets, showers, and tubs. But sometimes, plastic augers are just not enough to unclog a stubborn sink drain.

If you are attempting to unblock a clogged sink, but the plumber snake isn’t working out, continue reading for some drain clearing tips that will help you get past this common, but oh-so-frustrating, obstacle.

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Why is the Drain Snake Not Working?

Drain snakes are easy tools to use, so you will know right away whether yours is working or not. To use a drain snake, you insert it deep into the drain, twist it around several times, and then pull it back up. The auger should pull out all sorts of unsightly materials, like hair, soapy residue, and dental floss.

Although very effective tools, they are not always the right choice for a clogged drain. In fact, there are many reasons why a drain snake might be ineffectively unclogging your sink. One of the most common in easily fixable reasons why a drain auger won’t work is because the old clogging material is still attached to the rod. Be sure to fully clean your drain auger before reusing it for another clog.

Another common reason why augers fail to do the trick has to do with the structural integrity of the auger itself. If you are using a small drum auger rather than a plastic drain snake, it is possible that the thumbscrew has come loose. If the thumbscrew is loose, the auger will not be able to effectively rotate. And if the auger will not rotate, it won’t be able to catch and pull any debris or blockage within the drain.

If you can’t even push the auger down into the drain, it’s because there is a heavy blockage that is denser than the overall tensile strength of the tool. In this case, you would need something more heavy-duty to dislodge the blockage, or perhaps even more invasive plumbing repair. Severe sink clogs are difficult to repair with a plumber snake.

What to Do About a Clogged Sink

If your drain snake is not working, but none of the above-mentioned reasons are to blame, you have two viable options: attempt to loosen the clog with a drain cleaner and repeat the auger process again, or save time and effort by contacting a professional Indianapolis plumber for drain clearing service. Just be sure you do not ignore a clogged drain, as they can lead to more serious plumbing problems, like burst pipes and water leaks.

Looking for a professional plumber who can make all of your plumbing problems go away without breaking the bank? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for licensed and insured plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana, and its surrounding counties. We serve residential and commercial customers.

Small Plumbing Problems That Might Be Big Repairs

Posted on January 14, 2022 by weilhammerplumbing

As veteran plumbers who’ve seen just about everything in this industry, we are always emphasizing the importance of catching small plumbing problems early on in order to prevent larger, costlier issues down the road. Although something as small as a faucet drip might seem unsuspecting, it could be hiding a much larger plumbing repair need; one that costs a lot more and requires more invasive work to resolve.

Continue reading to learn some small plumbing problems that often turn out to be larger problems than they appear, plus who to call for the most trusted emergency plumbing services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties.

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These Plumbing Issues Might Be Warning You of a Bigger Plumbing Problem

Leaky Faucet

How long has that faucet been dripping in the bathroom? Or perhaps you have a leaky kitchen sink faucet? Oftentimes, homeowners wrongly assume that a little drip of the faucet is nothing to worry about. But this is quite the contrary. Remember how we talked about catching small plumbing problems early on in order to prevent them from turning into bigger ones? Well, a barely-dripping faucet is one of those small problem problems. Faucet leaks could be an indication of all sorts of other internal plumbing issues. And where there is excess water, there’s potential for trouble.

Toilet Running

Compared to a leaking faucet, a running toilet issue poses a much larger threat in terms of water damage and plumbing repair. Although it might seem like your toilet lever is just malfunctioning, a running toilet can indicate a long list of other related plumbing problems. It is important to have this issue checked out if you cannot resolve it on your own within 24 hours. In fact, this applies for any toilet flushing issues you run into.

Stinky Water

If you think your tap water smells a bit funky, do not think it will resolve itself on its own. Smelly water is a bad sign and can indicate all sorts of plumbing and water quality issues. A common odor-causing culprit in tap water is sulfur, which smells like rotten eggs. The most common cause of this smelly, gaseous tap water is a water heater malfunction. When your water heater operates at a very low temperature, or not at all, for an extended period of time, it can cause this tell-tale bacteria buildup and hydrogen sulfide production in your plumbing pipes and connected water lines.

Drain Clogs

If your sink drain is draining slowly, you might not think anything of it; but you should. Slow drainage issues can represent a long list of other plumbing problems, ones that can lead to very costly and invasive repairs. Obstructed, underground pipeline can be the root of a slow draining sink, which may lead to pipe replacement renovations and even foundation repairs. Always have a clogged or slow-draining sink examined by a licensed plumber in Indianapolis if it does not clear up on its own within a few days.

Are you experiencing plumbing problems like a slow draining sink, smelly water, or running toilet? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional plumbing service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We serve residential and commercial clients.

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Two Cleaners That Will Fix a Slow Draining Sink

Posted on June 3, 2021 by weilhammerplumbing

It is really no surprise that you are dealing with a slow draining sink. After all, our sink drains see so much, from food and dinner plate scraps to sticky toothpaste suds, soapy residues, and even hair. Nonetheless, a slow drain is just as frustrating as a clogged one, as they both will eventually lead to other issues if ignored for too long. Fortunately, clearing up a slow draining sink can be easy so long as you have the right supplies.

Continue reading to learn more about slow drains, and two highly-effective cleaners that should resolve your issue in no time.

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Why Does Your Sink Drain Slowly?

There are many reasons why you have a slow draining sink. As mentioned, sink drains are exposed to a long list of waste material, which can build up inside pipes, pop up stoppers, mesh traps, and more. However, if your sink drain cannot be fixed by using an old-fashioned auger and cleaning product, you might have a more serious underlying issue. Your slow draining sink could be caused by low water pressure, multiple drain issues, or a more severe blockage. If you suspect that this could be the problem, contact a local Indianapolis IN plumber for professional advice and inspections.

But before you feed into your concern, first see if your slow draining sink can be resolved by using one of two cleaning solutions:

1 Baking Soda and Vinegar

You will need one cup of baking soda and one cup of distilled white vinegar. You will also need about 6 to 8 cups of boiling hot water.

Start by bringing water to a boil on your stove. Next, pour 1 cup of baking soda down the affected drain. Then pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain.

Allow the drain to fizz to completion. When the fizzing slows down dramatically, pour the whole pot of boiling water down the drain.

Finish by allow hot water to run from the faucet into the sink drain for a couple of minutes. Notice how the drain is more efficient? Problem solved!

Sink still drains slowly? Try the next cleaning solution, which is an enzyme cleaner.

2 Enzyme Drain Cleaner

When the baking soda and vinegar approach doesn’t seem to do the trick, you might have better results with an enzyme drain cleaner. You can purchase this product at any home improvement or department store, or online at your general retailer. Enzyme drain cleaners are not chemical-based; instead, they are made from bacteria cultures, or enzymes, which scatter throughout your drainage and plumbing pipes and eat away at any organic waste matter and materials.

Enzyme cleaners are effective at disintegrating organics such as hair, food particles, mildew, mold, and bacteria. Keep in mind that these cleaners are homeopathic, and therefore, take longer to take effect. Unlike the baking soda vinegar approach, enzyme drain cleaners need some time to work out all the obstructions in your plumbing pipes. Pour it down your drain according to label instructions, and then wait 5 or 6 hours before turning on the faucet again.

Do you need some professional help with a clogged drain or slow draining sink? Contact Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for bathroom and kitchen plumbing services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Schedule a home plumbing inspection, soon!

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Does Your Kitchen Sink Drain Too Slowly?

Posted on September 4, 2020 by weilhammerplumbing

If your kitchen sink starts to have issues, especially when it comes to poor drainage, it can truly put a dent in your daily household flow. Slow-draining kitchen sinks are among the most common kitchen plumbing problems expressed by homeowners and homemakers. Fortunately, there are a few quick and easy solutions for fixing a kitchen sink that doesn’t drain as quickly as it used to. These solutions could save you money on future problems and repair costs, as well as, eliminate time wasted waiting for a local plumber to arrive.

Continue reading to learn how to combat a slow-draining kitchen sink, and which plumbing company to trust for prompt and professional service.

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Gather All Necessary Materials and Supplies

First, collect all the necessary ingredients you will need to unclog or clear a kitchen sink that doesn’t want to drain fast enough. You will need a pot to boil water, baking soda, and distilled white vinegar. Start by boiling 6 cups of water. While the water reaches a boil, proceed to dump one cup baking soda down the drain. Follow this step by pouring one cup of vinegar down the drain. When the drain stops fizzing, pour in the boiling water.

To entirely eliminate any blockage, continue to run hot water down the drain through the faucet. Although the initial rinse of boiling water is enough the wash away the blockage, vinegar, and baking soda, it is best to complete the job with an additional hot water flush. Now simply check to see if the drain is flowing again. If not, you might need to try a more aggressive approach to drain cleaners.

How to Beat Tougher Clogs

For tougher clogs, a store-bought enzyme cleanser may be necessary. Although a more aggressive approach, enzyme cleaners are not made with harsh toxic chemicals. In fact, they are chemical-free cleaners made from bacteria cultures. These bacteria cultures flow through drains and pipes, feeding on all the organic material causing the blockage. This includes mold, mildew, food, grease, hair, and anything else that is organic in nature.

It takes a little more time for an enzyme drain cleanser to take effect because they do not contain any chemicals that are manufactured to help speed up the process. After dispensing it down the kitchen drain, flush with hot water for several minutes, and then refrain from using the sink for two to three hours. Keep in mind you may need to use a snake, plunger, or other plumbing device to finish the unclogging process.

Take on the Plunge Challenge for Persistent Clogging

Sometimes, a more “hands-on” approach is the best method to unclogging a kitchen sink. This method only involves a plunger and your own manual power. You have to position the plunger on top of the drain, the fill the sink with water only enough to cover the rubber. Now you are ready to start plunging up and down in a consistent and steady fashion. Repeat as needed to unclog a slow-draining kitchen sink.

When Your Kitchen Sink Still Has Issues Contact a Local Plumber in Indianapolis

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed kitchen plumbing services in Indianapolis at an affordable price. We offer a wide range of standard and master plumber services for both residential and commercial properties. We also offer free estimates, free plumbing advice, and even free haul-away for old plumbing appliances like water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps, and more. Request a free estimate, today.

How to Fix a Slow Draining Sink

Posted on January 8, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

One of the most common plumbing problems is a slow draining sink. Although common and quite obnoxious, you’ll be happy to discover that this issue is relatively easy to fix. Even with little to no handiwork experience, it is very likely that you can take on the problem all by yourself.

Continue reading to learn what you need and how to get started!

The first step to determining how to fix a slow draining sink is to figure out what is causing the drain obstruction. There are many circumstances that can cause a sink to drain slowly, namely large blockages. Debris like hair, soap residue, food, garbage, and other items can accumulate or get stuck in the drain, which is often the reason why it drains slowly. To learn what’s causing your slow draining sink, you will need to gather some specific supplies. Then to fix your slow draining sink, you will need some more supplies.

Here is What You Will Need:

→ Drain Cleaner (store-bought or homemade; see below)

→ Drain Snake/Auger

→ Plunger

→ Pipe Cleaners

→ Garbage Can or Trash Bag

→ Adjustable Wrench

How to Get Started:

First, use your auger or drain snake tool to clear out any loose debris from the drain. Simply follow the manufacturers’ instructions for using a drain auger. Insert the drain snake deep into the drain, give it a twist, and then slowly pull it out. You will see a lot of nasty residue, hair, dental floss, and other items that have made it down the drain recently.

If you cannot fit your auger into the drain well enough because it has a pop-up (cap-like cover) on top of it, you can remove the pop up and continue cleaning your drain. In fact, even if the auger fits with the pop-up attached, it is better to remove it to begin with in order to get a more thorough clean. Use your adjustable wrench to loosen the nut that connects the pop-up cap to the drain.

If there still seems to be an obstruction of sorts, resort to using your plunger. A plunger will help to dislodge any hair balls or heavy soap buildups, and allow better results with a drain auger and cleaner. Just give your drain a few pumps with the plunger, and work the auger in between. You may need to repeat this step a few times.

Next, you want to use your drain cleaner. You can use a homemade drain cleaning solution, or a store-bought cleaner. See our article, “Homemade Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions for Drains and More” to learn how to make your own.

After you have cleaned out any drain obstructions, you are likely done. However, if your sink drain is still draining slowly after the above steps, move onto the sink overflow opening. This is the small round hole in the face of the sink, just below the faucet. The sink overflow opening can sometimes get obstructed with soap residue and other types of sink debris. Use pipe cleaners or another similar, non-abrasive tool to reach inside the opening and pull out (or loosen) any obstructing debris.

Preventing Drain Issues

The only way to prevent a drain blockage in the future is to routinely clean out your sink and shower drains. Regularly use drain cleaner, and periodically snake your drains using a drain auger. Also, be sure to be responsible with your sink drains to prevent other issues. See our article, “Never Put These Items Down the Sink Drain!” to learn more.

Professional Indianapolis Plumbing Service

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed Indianapolis plumber you can trust for quality plumbing service and installation at an affordable price. We offer a wide range of standard and master plumber services for both residential and commercial properties. We also offer free estimates, free plumbing advice, and even free haul-away for old plumbing appliances like water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps, and more. Request a free estimate, today.