topic Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain in Home

Retrieving tweezers from drain

drizzellla — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:20:02 GMT

My son dropped tweezers down the bathroom sink drain.

I figured no problem. I went out and bought a magnetic flexible tube complete with light. Went to retrieve the tweezers - nothing happened.

It turns out that the tweezers have a thick enamel coat of paint. So the magnet does not pick up the tweezers.

Went on line and they say to undo the trap. I can not. When the new sink was installed, they could not get the pipe connection to stop leaking. So it is now glued. I would have to take apart the pipes and install new pipes. Sorry I am not about to attempt that.

Anyone have ideas how to get the tweezers out?

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

Havarti — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:25:43 GMT

Can you see it?

Is it lodged open-end up or open-end down?

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

I am still oxox — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:42:03 GMT

Ho about chewing gum or something sticky on the tweezers

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

drizzellla — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:43:37 GMT

@Havarti wrote:
Can you see it?

Is it lodged open-end up or open-end down?

Yes, I can see it. The open end is down.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

lilypadfrog — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:48:57 GMT

How about a dab of masking tape or some other tape attached to the end of a nail file?

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

drizzellla — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:49:21 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
Ho about chewing gum or something sticky on the tweezers

I was thinking about buying Silly Putty. But I wonder, the tweezers are completely submerged in water. Will the water affect stuff sticking to one another.

But I like your idea better. It will be easier finding gum.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

deb5555 — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:51:41 GMT

This has a grabber when u press the red part, it opens up and grabs on. I think they sell them at hardware stores.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

itsmagic — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:52:12 GMT

Could you take a long wire and put a little hook on the end and possibly very carefully hook it and pull it out? Maybe even an old wire coat hanger could be undone and fashioned into a long hook.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

drizzellla — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:53:21 GMT

@lilypadfrog wrote:
How about a dab of masking tape or some other tape attached to the end of a nail file?

I have some really good duct tape. I will try it right now. Better yet, I found Flex Tape. Water shouldn't affect that. We will see how good the commercials were.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

ECBG — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:55:03 GMT

How about using a coat hanger like we used to get our keys our of the car?

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

Scooby Doo — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:55:55 GMT

@itsmagic wrote:
Could you take a long wire and put a little hook on the end and possibly very carefully hook it and pull it out? Maybe even an old wire coat hanger could be undone and fashioned into a long hook.

That's what I was thinking. Maybe something like a fish hook and line.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

Carmie — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:56:53 GMT

I use long needle nose pliers to retrieve things from the drain in the bathroom.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

drizzellla — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 22:05:20 GMT

@drizzellla wrote:
@lilypadfrog wrote:
How about a dab of masking tape or some other tape attached to the end of a nail file?

I have some really good duct tape. I will try it right now. Better yet, I found Flex Tape. Water shouldn't affect that. We will see how good the commercials were.

Well, Flex Tape didn't work. As soon as the tape hit the water, it was no longer sticky. I could hear the tweezer moving around. But it never stuck to the tape.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

Havarti — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 22:13:58 GMT

Having the closed end up is good news! Open a paper clip and put a small hook at the end - then move it down the side of the drain, turn it so the hook is under the closed end & pull it up. One of the bigger paper clips will be stronger & longer, if you have one.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

shaggygirl — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 22:25:40 GMT

@deb5555 wrote:

This has a grabber when u press the red part, it opens up and grabs on. I think they sell them at hardware stores.

@deb5555

This picture you posted. OMG that's exactly what I need to retrieve something stuck partway down my shower stall. My son has tried so many things with no luck. I am so happy you posted that, I think that will absolutely do the trick. I just found it on Amazon and ordered it.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drainI will try Havarti

drizzellla — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 22:38:07 GMT

Scooby Doo - the fishing tackle box is in the garage about 10 feet up. I am going to make my son get it down, when he comes home.

I will try Havarti's suggestion about using a paper clip. I can no longer see the tweezers, after moving around the tweezers. All I see now is icky water.

Plan #3 will be to go to Lowes and Home Depot looking for the Grab It thing.

I really appreciate all the great suggestions. And I will try everyone. I was so convinced the magnet would work - until it didn't.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

jlkz — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 03:02:46 GMT

How about a long piece of strong wire that you bend up the end you want to hook onto the closed end of the tweezers?

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

cindyNC — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 09:39:12 GMT

Please post what works......Thanks.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

drizzellla — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 14:55:49 GMT

@cindyNC wrote:
Please post what works......Thanks.

Well - I am in pause mode right now. I tried to retrieve the tweezers with a paper clip. Somehow the paper clip got caught on something in the drain. It wasn't the tweezers because it was not a moveable object. I spent about 1/2 of an hour trying to get the paper clip and the heavy duty tape out of the drain. I was scared that the tape and paper clip would come off in the drain. And then I would have a clogged drain in addition to the tweezers.

So I thought maybe I should just go out and buy a grabber. But then I read the reviews. And this is a review "It is an OK tool but not for fishing out dropped small items in the bathroom sink because the diameter of the pipe is too small for the claws to open."

I am slowly thinking - I can live with a tweezer in the drain. It is not stopping up the drain and you can always get another set of tweezers. But I know me - I will try to get it out throughout the day.

Re: Retrieving tweezers from drain

LoveMyBaby — Sat, 14 Dec 2019 15:57:19 GMT

I'd try a thin magnet - good luck.