Test ball stuck in drain
#1
02-01-19, 06:46 PM
Test ball stuck in drain
I bought an inflatable test ball for a flood test of my shower pan. The pan passed, but when I released the pressure, the water pressure sucked the ball down the drain. I still have the chain, but the ball seems to be past the P trap. pulling the chain doesn't do anything, and I don't want to pull too hard, lest I lose the chain.
Anybody got any ideas?
One option I thought of was to pour some kind of oil down the drain to destroy the ball.
A second option is to open the ceiling beneath the plumbing and just cut it out.
I'll post a picture.
Anybody got any ideas?
One option I thought of was to pour some kind of oil down the drain to destroy the ball.
A second option is to open the ceiling beneath the plumbing and just cut it out.
I'll post a picture.
#2
02-01-19, 07:35 PM
Group Moderator
Welcome to the forums.
I wouldn't count on anything melting or dissolving a rubber ball. It could take a lifetime.
The trap should be right below the pan. How much chain went into the drain pipe ?
If several feet of chain went in and it's stuck..... the ball would probably be hanging in the vertical stack. If there is a cleanout below that stack you may be able to catch it there.
How-to-insert-pictures
I wouldn't count on anything melting or dissolving a rubber ball. It could take a lifetime.
The trap should be right below the pan. How much chain went into the drain pipe ?
If several feet of chain went in and it's stuck..... the ball would probably be hanging in the vertical stack. If there is a cleanout below that stack you may be able to catch it there.
How-to-insert-pictures
#4
02-01-19, 10:20 PM
Group Moderator
I see the picture but it doesn't help us here. If it didn't make it to the stack then it's stuck in the line. That would mean if you poured water in the drain.... it would fill the line up.
#5
02-02-19, 05:41 AM
At this point, the only idea I have is to cut the chain and flush it down with more water. It seems to have moved through the 2" pipe without a problem, so getting it flushed out and down should be easy. Hopefully.
If you can get a long piece of twine on the chain below the ring, loop it through the chain, hold both ends of the twine then cut the ring. The twine will help 'prove' that it's gone the 10-20' down the pipe to no longer be an issue.
If it doesn't move further... I don't have a better idea than cutting pipe. Sorry!
If you can get a long piece of twine on the chain below the ring, loop it through the chain, hold both ends of the twine then cut the ring. The twine will help 'prove' that it's gone the 10-20' down the pipe to no longer be an issue.
If it doesn't move further... I don't have a better idea than cutting pipe. Sorry!
#7
02-02-19, 09:44 AM
Group Moderator
I was thinking out loud...... what about a wet/dry vac to suck it back up but if water drains around it....there won't be any vacuum seal.
#10
02-03-19, 01:32 PM
Group Moderator
