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Posted by dpb on January 5, 2007, 5:40 pm
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
> > Yes, I'm a dumbass. This has become quite apparent, so there's no need
> > to remind me.
> >
> > Long story short, I dropped a 10" screwdriver tip-first down an open
> > 2nd floor toilet drain pipe, and it is now stuck at the base of a
> > 45-degree bend just under the basement ceiling. I know it couldn't have
> > gotten any further than this point, due to 2 sharp 90-degree bends that
> > follow the 45-degree bend. Unfortunately, I can't see it from the drain
> > opening because I can't look down the pipe due to a slight offset just
> > past the toilet flange. Do you know of any specialized plumber's snakes
> > or other tools that could be lowered into the pipe to grab the
> > screwdriver somehow?
> >
>
>
> Presumably, you've already been through the obscenities, two glasses of
> scotch, and your wife doesn't know about this yet. I would get to Radio
> Shack to pick up the biggest donut-shaped magnet you think you can slip down
> the pipe without losing it. If the screwdriver's not tightly wedged, this
> should do the trick. To hold the magnet, I'd take a piece of 12 or 14 gauge
> 3-conductor house wire, strip it back, and pull out just one conductor. I've
> used that stuff as a snake in the past because it can be sort of shaped to
> get around bends. Just be damned sure you put enough twists in it so the
> magnet doesn't come loose. If you need something more flexible, use some
> good quality nylon rope, and use a real knot, like a bowline to fasten the
> magnet.
...
Assuming it's not cast iron drain, magnet has reasonable shot at it,
otherwise may not be able to get it down there.
Don't guess there are any cleanouts anywhere closer? Perhaps it's time
to install one--if it's plastic and an hour of fishing doesn't get it,
it may be simpler to just make the cut and go get it and put either a
cleanout or a coupling in to repair the damage.
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