We’ve all been there before – you’re in the shower when suddenly you hear a plop and see something disappear down the best shower drain wrenches. But what happens to that item? In this article, we’ll look at what happens when something falls down the shower drain, from the effect that it has on plumbing to the ways that it can be retrieved. Whether it’s a bar of soap, a piece of jewelry, or something else, you’ll be able to get a better understanding of the situation and what you should do next. Read on to find out more.
What happens to items when they fall down the shower drain?
The first thing to understand when thinking about what happens to items when they fall down the shower drain is that the water flow through the pipes is completely different from the flow of the water in the rest of your plumbing system. In the rest of your plumbing, the water is traveling downwards towards the sewer system. This is called “gravity flow”, as the force of gravity is pulling the water downwards.
In the part of the system that is connected to your shower, however, the water is traveling upwards to the shower head. This is called “pressure flow”, as the water is being pushed up towards the shower head with pressure. Pressure flow is caused by the water being heated up in the boiler and pushed through the pipes.
The effect of items falling down the drain
When you throw items down the drain in your shower, they end up blocking the flow of water in the pipes. The pressure of water being pushed upwards through the pipes is then not strong enough to push the item through the drain pipe leading to the sewer system. Instead, the item will get stuck in the part of the drainpipe just before it connects to the sewer pipe. This means that no water can pass through that section of the drainpipe, which can lead to problems with water flow.
The first issue is that the water that is being pushed up towards the shower head is not able to rise to the shower. This means that no water will come out of the shower head until the blockage is cleared. Next, the water is unable to flow down towards the other fixtures in your bathroom. This could lead to flooding or other issues in your bathroom. The last problem is that the hot water that heats up as it is being pushed through the pipes is not able to rise to the top of the pipes. This could lead to overheating and the risk of a burst pipe.
How to retrieve items that have fallen down the drain
If you have fallen items down the drain, there are a few different ways to get them out. The first option is using a plunger. This is a device that forces air down the drain, creating pressure that can help to dislodge the item and push it back up towards the drain. Make sure to use a rubber or silicone plunger, as a metal plunger can cause damage to the drain.
If you still cannot retrieve the item, you might need to use a drain snake. This is a long, flexible wire that you can feed into the drain to try and grab the item. If you cannot retrieve the item with either of the above methods, you may need to call in a professional to use a drain auger or snake. This is a long, metal device with a spiral blade inside that can be used to cut through the item and clear the drain.
Tips to prevent items from going down the drain
You can take a few steps to try to prevent items from going down the drain. First, try to avoid using the drain while showering. This is usually done by placing a sponge or bar of soap in the drain to catch any hair soap or other items that may fall down the drain. Another option is to use a “strainer”, which attaches to the end of the drain pipe and catches any items.
Next, try not to wash items that have a lot of loose materials like sand or small rocks in them. These can easily end up in the drain and cause issues. Finally, if you have a couple of really stubborn items that you cannot get out of the drain, consider calling a plumber. While the above methods should be able to get almost any item out, there may be some items that are difficult to remove.
