
My Wedding Ring Fell Down the Sink
If you are wondering how to get a wedding ring or any piece of jewelry out of the sink drain, we at Sackett Plumbing are here to help.
First of all, don't panic it has happened to the best of us.
The most reliable way to retrieve your ring is by disassembling the drainpipe and fishing out the lost item. Because the ring will typically sink to the bottom of the bend in the P-trap (the part of the drainpipe that is shaped like a “P”), that’s where you should begin. Here’s how to perform the task:
If you are wondering how to get a wedding ring or any piece of jewelry out of the sink drain, we at Sackett Plumbing are here to help.
First of all, don't panic it has happened to the best of us.
The most reliable way to retrieve your ring is by disassembling the drainpipe and fishing out the lost item. Because the ring will typically sink to the bottom of the bend in the P-trap (the part of the drainpipe that is shaped like a “P”), that’s where you should begin. Here’s how to perform the task:
- Place a bucket under the bend (under the sink) to catch any water that may fall out of the pipe.
- Unscrew the slip nut at the bend (tools will be required).
- Unscrew the slip nut at the other end of the bend and slide the slip nut up and out of the way, which allows the bend to drop down and away from the sink.
- At this point, the ring may fall out of the pipe and into the bucket, or you may have to untangle it from hair clogging up the drain. If the ring dropped into a bathroom sink and you don’t see it, it may be caught around the drain stopper.
- Then, once you have the ring, you can simply reverse the steps you just took to put the plumbing components back together. Inspect any gaskets or rubber washers for wear, and consider replacing if they are not able to seal the connection.

The Hot Water Runs Out Fast
Does your hot water seem to be running out quickly while you take a shower? It could be a sign your water heater is in need of some repair. To be sure here are some quick troubleshooting tips to determine if your water heater is to blame for those cold showers:
Does your hot water seem to be running out quickly while you take a shower? It could be a sign your water heater is in need of some repair. To be sure here are some quick troubleshooting tips to determine if your water heater is to blame for those cold showers:
- Running out of hot water quickly
- Low hot water pressure
- cloudy, discolored water
- leaky water
- unusual noises coming from the water heater
- unusual, unpleasant order in the water

My Water is Scalding Hot
If there’s anything worse than a cold shower, it’s one that is scalding hot! If you find your shower only sprays hot water, no matter how hard you turn the handle, it’s time to investigate the inner workings of your shower. No cold water in the shower may indicate defective parts within the shower faucet. If you have a single-lever control in your shower, you likely need to replace the cartridge that houses the pressure-balancing valve.
If that sounds like an overwhelming task, worry not because the friendly team at Sackett Plumbing is here to walk you through the replacement process. However, Sackett's team of professionals is always available if you’d rather save yourself the hassle by letting the pros handle the job.
First thing, it’s important to determine whether the issue is only in one shower or more. If the entire home has no cold water , it’s possible a shutoff valve in the main water supply line has been turned off accidentally. If that is the case, you can simply turn the valve back on and your showers should work as normal.
However, if you determine the other faucets in the home do have cold water, the issue is likely a defective pressure-balancing valve and you will either need to replace the valve cartridge yourself or call a professional plumber to get the job done.
A faucet’s pressure-balancing valve serves two purposes:
Before you begin the removal and installation of the shower cartridge, you will need to buy a new one at your nearby hardware store. It’s important to choose the right style to get a good fit. Bring the old cartridge with you to the store to get the perfect replacement piece. While at the store, you will also need to purchase a cartridge puller as well.
Now that you have your new cartridge you can begin the process of changing it out with these 10 steps:
If you would rather save time and frustration call our team of professionals. We would be happy to take care of the problem for you.
Sackett Plumbing Inc 239-454-4504
If there’s anything worse than a cold shower, it’s one that is scalding hot! If you find your shower only sprays hot water, no matter how hard you turn the handle, it’s time to investigate the inner workings of your shower. No cold water in the shower may indicate defective parts within the shower faucet. If you have a single-lever control in your shower, you likely need to replace the cartridge that houses the pressure-balancing valve.
If that sounds like an overwhelming task, worry not because the friendly team at Sackett Plumbing is here to walk you through the replacement process. However, Sackett's team of professionals is always available if you’d rather save yourself the hassle by letting the pros handle the job.
First thing, it’s important to determine whether the issue is only in one shower or more. If the entire home has no cold water , it’s possible a shutoff valve in the main water supply line has been turned off accidentally. If that is the case, you can simply turn the valve back on and your showers should work as normal.
However, if you determine the other faucets in the home do have cold water, the issue is likely a defective pressure-balancing valve and you will either need to replace the valve cartridge yourself or call a professional plumber to get the job done.
A faucet’s pressure-balancing valve serves two purposes:
- To regulate the water pressure
- To regulate the ratio of hot and cold water flowing from the faucet or showerhead
Before you begin the removal and installation of the shower cartridge, you will need to buy a new one at your nearby hardware store. It’s important to choose the right style to get a good fit. Bring the old cartridge with you to the store to get the perfect replacement piece. While at the store, you will also need to purchase a cartridge puller as well.
Now that you have your new cartridge you can begin the process of changing it out with these 10 steps:
- Shut-off the water supply to the shower.
- Cover the drain in the shower with a cloth to block it completely, which will prevent small components from falling into the drain as you work.
- Remove the shower handle and any metal covers by removing the screws. Hold the handle in place and lift it off the stem; you may need to tap on the handle to encourage it to come off.
- Snap a photo of the internal parts of the faucet to provide a quick reference during the reassembly process.
- Remove all parts inside the faucet structure.
- Dissolve any existing build-up with a commercial cleaning solution.
- Use the needle-nose pliers to pull out the retainer clip.
- Use the cartridge puller to remove the cartridge.
- Install the new cartridge using the plumber’s grease or silicone product.
- Reinstall all faucet parts including the valve stem and retainer clip, looking back on the photo you took to guide you.
If you would rather save time and frustration call our team of professionals. We would be happy to take care of the problem for you.
Sackett Plumbing Inc 239-454-4504