How to Retrieve Something You Accidentally Flushed Down a Toilet

PDF download Download Article
Plumber-approved tips for getting objects out (and when to call a pro)
PDF download Download Article

Flushing an item down the toilet is a frustrating, worrisome, and all too common accident. Thankfully, the object will usually get caught in the drain or at the bottom of the toilet, making it possible to retrieve yourself. We talked to master plumber Dave Jones to find out the best way to retrieve something that was flushed down the toilet—from easy approaches like fishing the item out or suctioning it up to more dramatic measures like removing the toilet (and when you should call a pro ).

How do you get something you accidentally flushed down the toilet?

Try reaching down into the toilet with gloved hands to see if you can grab the object. If that doesn’t work, try to dislodge it with a plunger, toilet auger, or wire hanger. You can also suction it up with a wet vac. If the object is stuck in the toilet trap, remove the toilet and clear the trap, or call a plumber.

Section 1 of 4:

Fishing the Item out of the Bowl or Drain

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Avoid flushing the toilet again. Jones says that if you accidentally flush something down the toilet, “flushing the toilet again will only push the item deeper into the drainage system. In fact,” he cautions, “don’t run water through any sinks, bathtubs, or showers in the same bathroom. Those drains are connected to the same branch system as the toilet.” [1]
  2. If you can still see the item after it was flushed, you may be able to retrieve it by hand. Put on a pair of elbow-length gloves if you have them, then reach in, grab the item, and pull it out. [3]
    • If there is a lot of water in the toilet bowl, it may be easier to reach the item if you use a disposable cup or container to scoop out some of the water first.
    • Make sure that you wash your hands and the item thoroughly after retrieving it from the toilet.
    Advertisement
  3. 3
    Try to suction the item up with a plunger if you can’t see it. Place your plunger into the toilet and gently push all of the air out. Then, pull up sharply (try not to splash yourself with the toilet water). This may dislodge the item and pull it toward you. If so, reach in and grab the object as soon as you can see it. [4]
    • This is especially useful for larger objects that haven’t gone far down the drain.
  4. Straighten out a wire hanger as much as possible, then bend one end into a small hook shape. Carefully stick the hook end down the toilet drain and try to grab the item with the hook. [5]
    • When pushing the hook end down the drain, try to keep it pressed against the top of the drain pipe. This may help you avoid pushing the item further down the pipe. When the hook is down as far as it can go, push it down so it follows the bottom of the drain pipe as you pull the hook back up.
  5. 5
    Grab metal objects with a flexible magnet. Jones says, “If the item is a common metal, try pushing a flexible magnetic retriever into the toilet drain and through the toilet trap. You may get lucky and pull back your metallic item.” [6]
  6. Stick the end of the drain snake down into the toilet drain until you can feel it hit the item. Then, push the auger slightly past the object to try to catch it, then pull it back as you withdraw the auger back up the drain. [8]
    • If possible, use an auger with a hook or grabber on the end. You may accidentally push the item further into the pipe with a drain snake, especially if you use one with a coiled end. This can cause it to get lodged deeper in your plumbing system, which could lead to costly repairs.
    7. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Using a Wet/Dry Vacuum

PDF download Download Article
  1. Plug in the vacuum cord and turn on your wet/dry vacuum. Push the end of the hose as far down the drain as possible. [9]
    • You may feel or hear the item move as you push the hose down. If so, direct the end of the hose so that the opening points at the item.
    • If your vacuum has a dry option, remove the dry dust bag and filter before you do this.
  2. Turn the vacuum on to start sucking up the toilet water. Keep sucking up the water until you hear the object pass through the hose, or until the collection tank is full. [10]
    • Some wet/dry vacuums have a separate setting when vacuuming water, so make sure that you turn your vacuum on accordingly.
  3. If you hear or see the item go through the vacuum’s hose (or once the collection tank is full), turn the vacuum off. Then, remove the top of the vacuum’s collection tank and look into the tank to see if the item was sucked up through the hose. If you see the item, you can retrieve it with your hands, a shovel, or any item with a scoop or hook on the end. [11]
    • If you don’t see the item in the collection tank but you suspect that it was sucked up, check the vacuum’s hose as well. The item may have gotten lodged in the hose.
    • You may need to repeat this several times.
    • If you vacuum all of the water out of the toilet drain without retrieving the item, you’ll probably need to remove the toilet to get it out.
  4. After you’ve retrieved the item, flush the toilet once or twice. The toilet bowl should refill with water and be ready to use.
    • If you’re going to remove the toilet, do not refill the bowl.
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Removing the Toilet to Retrieve the Item

PDF download Download Article
  1. First, locate the valve on the side, behind, or towards the bottom of the toilet. Jones says that usually, you can turn off the water by “turning the valve to the right.” This will turn off the toilet’s water supply, which will help you avoid any flooding and keep the toilet from flushing while you work. [12]
    • If you can’t find the valve or if the valve is stuck in place, you’ll likely need to turn off the water to your house for a short time. In most cases, you can do this by switching off the water supply from the control unit, which is usually located in the basement or an interior closet.
  2. Most toilets have a water tank in the back behind the bowl that has a removable lid. Carefully lift the lid to remove it from the tank and set it aside. Jones recommends placing it “in a safe spot where it won’t be broken or tripped over.” [13]
  3. To get rid of the water in the bowl, Jones says, “Flush the toilet repeatedly until most of the water is out of the tank. Then, use a sponge to soak up the remaining water in the tank.” This will keep any water from spilling or splashing onto you or the bathroom floor, and will make the toilet lighter and easier to lift. [14]
    • You can also use a wet vacuum to suck up the water, or a small bowl to scoop it out.
  4. Locate the large bolt that attaches the water supply line to the back of the toilet’s tank. Jones recommends using an adjustable wrench to twist the bolt counterclockwise until it comes undone. Once the bolt is detached, move the water supply line away from the base of the toilet tank. [15]
    • The water line bolt is usually a large plastic bolt with ridges to make it easier to grip and unscrew.
  5. In most cases, your toilet will be connected to the floor by at least 2 bolts or screws. “Remove the bolt covers at the base of the toilet pedestal to reveal the bolts and nuts,” says Jones. “Then, loosen the nuts on the bolts with a wrench, and completely remove the nuts and washers.” This will disconnect your toilet from the floor and enable you to remove it from the ground. [16]
    • Set the bolts or screws aside in a safe place so you’ll be able to use them later to re-secure your toilet into place.
  6. To lift the toilet, “grasp the front of the bowl and the back of the tank,” recommends Jones. “Keep your back straight, and push with your legs to lift the toilet straight upward.” Once it’s free of the bolts and wax ring, carefully lay the toilet down on its side.
    • Toilets are very heavy, so be sure to lift with your legs, not your back, Jones advises. [17] You may also want to get someone to help you lift the toilet and get it safely down on its side.
    • You may want to lay a towel or blanket down on the ground so that your toilet will be protected when you lay it on its side.
  7. “Check to see if the item has lodged in the toilet’s trap or gotten stuck in the wax ring,” says Jones. “Try pushing the object through the toilet’s trapway with a coat hanger. You can even attach a bottle brush to a coat hanger to force the item out.” [18]
    • Check the inside of the waste opening, as well. It may be dark, so it can be helpful to have a flashlight on hand to help you see into the toilet.
  8. Any time you remove a toilet, replace the old wax ring. Pry up the old wax ring, then put the new one in place. Lower your toilet back onto the wax ring, then reconnect the bolts and the water line.
    • Turn the water supply back on, then flush the toilet once or twice to refill the tank and bowl. Your toilet should be ready to use again.
    9. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

When to Call a Professional

PDF download Download Article
  1. Call a plumber if you can’t find the object yourself. If you’re not able to retrieve the object—or if you’re not comfortable removing your toilet on your own—it’s time to call a professional plumber. Jones says, “Choose a plumber who has a video camera snake. They can push the camera snake through the pipe while watching on a monitor, which may allow them to spot the item.” [19]
    • Jones says if they do see the item, they may be able to retrieve it from your home’s sewer cleanout access port, or they can use a corkscrew-shaped retriever on the end of the camera snake. [20]
    • “Unfortunately,” adds Jones, “if the item has gone into the municipal sewer, you probably won’t be able to get it back.”

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What do you do when you flushed something down the toilet?
    Dave Jones
    Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
    Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.
    Dave Jones
    Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
    Expert Answer
    Once the item has gone into the municipal sewer, you probably won’t be able to get it back. If your home is equipped with a septic tank, call a septic tank pumping service and see if they can pump the tank clean and help locate your ring. It’s a longshot, but it’s worth asking.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 5
  • Question
    How do you get something back that has been flushed down the toilet?
    Dave Jones
    Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
    Dave Jones is a Professional Plumber and the Midwest Regional Vice President at Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. In 1992, Jones joined Roto-Rooter as a drain service technician at the age of 18. Since then, he has risen through the ranks into positions of increasing authority. Dave served as general manager of Roto-Rooter’s Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia branches before being promoted to Contractor Area Manager and later to Regional Vice President. Dave holds Master Plumber Licenses in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Georgia.
    Dave Jones
    Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup
    Expert Answer
    If you're unable to retrieve the item by yourself, call a plumber who has a video camera snake. Camera snakes allow the operator to push the camera snake through the pipe while watching a video monitor that displays everything in the drainage system in real time.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 12
  • Question
    How do I get my money back after it was flushed down the toilet?
    Community Answer
    There is no way to get your money back if you were unable to pull it out of the toilet before it was flushed.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 13 Helpful 41
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Adjust Soft Close Toilet Seat Hinges
      How to
      Use a Toilet Seat Cover
      How to
      Replace a Toilet Seat
      How to
      Measure a Toilet Seat
      What to Do if Your Toilet Fill Valve is Leaking
      How to
      Caulk Around a Toilet Base
      DIY Toilet Installation: A Complete How-To Guide
      How Does a Toilet Work? A Step-by-Step Breakdown
      The Best Ways to Keep Toilets Clean and Stain-Free Without Scrubbing
      How to
      Fix a Leaky Toilet Supply Line (Water Supply Line Replacement)
      7 Reasons Your Toilet Tank Isn’t Filling with Water (& How to Fix It)
      How to
      Install a Raised Toilet Seat
      How to
      Clean a Toilet Brush & Holder
      How to
      Install a Toto Washlet
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      2. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      3. ↑ https://www.housedigest.com/1364269/retrieve-item-accidentally-flushed-toilet/
      4. ↑ https://www.housedigest.com/1364269/retrieve-item-accidentally-flushed-toilet/
      5. ↑ https://www.housedigest.com/1364269/retrieve-item-accidentally-flushed-toilet/
      6. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      7. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      8. ↑ https://www.emergencyplumber.uk.com/plumbing/how-do-i-retrieve-a-flushed-item/
      9. ↑ https://www.today.com/home/what-do-when-something-falls-toilet-more-plumbing-tricks-t24291
      1. ↑ https://www.today.com/home/what-do-when-something-falls-toilet-more-plumbing-tricks-t24291
      2. ↑ https://www.today.com/home/what-do-when-something-falls-toilet-more-plumbing-tricks-t24291
      3. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      4. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      5. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      6. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      7. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      8. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      9. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      10. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.
      11. ↑ Dave Jones. Master Plumber, Roto-Rooter Plumbing & Water Cleanup. Expert Interview. 13 December 2021.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To retrieve an item that's been flushed down the drain, try using a metal coat hanger. First, untwist the hanger and straighten it out. Then, bend one end into a hook shape to reach around the bend and pull the item out. Another way to retrieve an item is with a drain snake. To use one, push the end past the item, and hook it as you pull the drain snake out. You can also use a wet vacuum. First, stick the hose down the drain and turn it on. Then, wait until you hear the item pass through the vacuum hose. For tips on how to get the item back by removing the toilet, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 521,308 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Chris M.

        Feb 27, 2024

        "I moved a toilet over 4 inches. Had to use three way at an angle to allow it to be moved over. Got done. Was very ..." more
        Rated this article:
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement