How can I get my drain trap apart?

Question

I dropped a small siver cross down the drain in my bathroom. Our house is new construction and has plastic drain pipes. I am trying to take the pipes apart so I can get into the trap. My pipe wrench is not quite big enough and can only grab the nubs around the drain and becaus ethey are plastic, they are giving away before I can loosen it. Any ideas? Maybe flexible magnats? It's a very light weight cross :+)

Answer 1

Keep at it and don't run any more water down it. You can get the trap loose with a pair of large pliers if you have to.

Answer 2

Note: if it is real silver it won't stick to a magnet.

When dismantling the plastic pipes make certain you are trying to turn the threaded parts, not the glued parts by accident. Be certain you don't pinch the parts out of round when trying to turn or they will stick. Also, make certain you are turning in the right direction; sometimes you have to turn lefthanded because the parts are in an inverted position.

Here's an idea, If you have a wet-dry vac, see if the smaller dia hose or extension will fit down the drain pipe into the trap (or buy a couple feet of the largest size hose that will fit down drain and use duct tape to attach to vac hose. Make certian to have shop vac pail empty and remove any paper filters or bags. Suck the whole mess up and see if the cross made it into the hopper (also check the hose)

Answer 3

The plastic pipe shouldn't be that tight. Make sure you are turning it the right way. They also make small strap wrenches...looks like a belt on a stick or bar....that works great on those plastic pipe fittings. You might also check the hardware store for a long slim grabber. It has a push button on top and little grabber fingers on bottom. Works great for reaching things dropped down into a tight area.

Answer 4

you can try to tap the nubs with the wooden part of a small hammer or with a small piece of wood as they should not be on real tight, if that does not work put a screw driver against the nubs and tap with a hammer. afterwards just unscrew the pipes and they come right apart. when putting them back, don't over tighten.