Dropped expensive hard contact down the drain...

[scootermaster]

Now, I've these things down the drain before, but at a different house, which had easily removable traps. This one seems to be adhered to the pipes with some sort of rubber cement that's seeping out from the top of the pipe fitting. The contacts are heavy, so they don't go all the way down the drain, and I turned the water off pretty quickly after I dropped it down there. Since they're about 100 bucks a peice, I'd rather not write it off.

Any hints on how to get that trap off? I don't think I have the write kind of wrench for it. It's rubber, so I don't even know if I need a wrench.

Picture of trap. You can see the adhesive coming out of the pipes.

Thanks!

 

[Kelvrick]

Err, how expensive is this contact?

After seeing what my drains look like, I wouldn't put something down there back into my eye.

 

[JulesMaximus]

That's plumbers putty, not glue. You should be able to unscrew those pretty easily.

Oh, and you suck at linking.

 

[JohnCU]

you need a monkey wrench. i have one it's about 15-20lbs.

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
That's plumbers putty, not glue. You should be able to unscrew those pretty easily.

Oh, and you suck at linking.

I know. I fixed it. Sorry.

I tried to move it and it moved a little, but is ripping up my hands (it has these small little tabs to hold on to. But I'll try again. Thanks for the help. Any idea what might loosen it? Just straight WD-40?

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Err, how expensive is this contact?

After seeing what my drains look like, I wouldn't put something down there back into my eye.

Hey! It's the monkey dance guy! (Don't ask how I know that.)

They're bi-toric hard contacts, so they're about $100 an eyeball. And they can be cleaned...it's no worse than touching money.

 

[MrPickins]

Wd40 will make that plumbers putty a nasty mess, but it might loosen it.

I'd recommend a pipe wrench or a pair of channel locks instead.

I don't understand why they have plumbers putty there to begin with. Seems rigged.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
That's plumbers putty, not glue. You should be able to unscrew those pretty easily.

Oh, and you suck at linking.

I know. I fixed it. Sorry.

I tried to move it and it moved a little, but is ripping up my hands (it has these small little tabs to hold on to. But I'll try again. Thanks for the help. Any idea what might loosen it? Just straight WD-40?

You sure you're turning it the right way?

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: scootermaster

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
Err, how expensive is this contact?

After seeing what my drains look like, I wouldn't put something down there back into my eye.

Hey! It's the monkey dance guy! (Don't ask how I know that.)

They're bi-toric hard contacts, so they're about $100 an eyeball. And they can be cleaned...it's no worse than touching money.

hehe. That was a while ago, certainly before you joined, so who were you before you were banned?

Fingers crossed for you, at a hundred bucks each, I'd consider reusing it. Hope you don't get an infection, buddy.

 

[Viper GTS]

Contact lenses can be hideously expensive... My custom made Hydrokones ran $150 apiece when single ordered. And they were soft, so dropping one down a drain would have been a loss...

Anyway:

Whether you decide to pull the trap apart is up to you (I personally wouldn't), but for god's sake go get yourself one of these. Should run you about $3 at any hardware store.

Viper GTS

 

[LordUnum]

Doubt WD-40 would loosen anything with thick, greasy crud like plumber's putty all over it. Keep pulling/pushing on those tabs. In the worst case scenario just borrow a monkey wrench or a really large pair of pliers. After you're through, don't forget to wrap the pipe threads with tape and tighten everything up good. I use tape and plumber's goop on the pipe ends, make sure everything is damn tight, and wait 24 hrs. before using the faucet when I'm working on the drain pipes in order to avoid any chance of leaks... but that's because I'm nutty like that.

I use flexible toric lenses, so I somewhat know where you're coming from. Just rinse them good under the faucet, and use that cleaning solution quite liberally. Good luck.

EDIT: And getting one of those sink traps linked to above would be a wise investment.

 

[Reckoner]

Well... there goes money down the drain!


Thank you, one and all, I'll be here all weekend! Be sure to tip your waitress!

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: LordUnum
Doubt WD-40 would loosen anything with thick, greasy crud like plumber's putty all over it. Keep pulling/pushing on those tabs. In the worst case scenario just borrow a monkey wrench or a really large pair of pliers. After you're through, don't forget to wrap the pipe threads with tape and tighten everything up good. I use tape and plumber's goop on the pipe ends, make sure everything is damn tight, and wait 24 hrs. before using the faucet when I'm working on the drain pipes in order to avoid any chance of leaks... but that's because I'm nutty like that.

I use flexible toric lenses, so I somewhat know where you're coming from. Just rinse them good under the faucet, and use that cleaning solution quite liberally. Good luck.

EDIT: And getting one of those sink traps linked to above would be a wise investment.

What kind of pipes are you used to working on? Most traps are pvc with compression fittings, and require no tape or putty. Even you do need to use 1 or both, they can and should be tested for leaks immediately. Fill the whole sink up to make sure you get a good rush of water.

I third the motion to get a drain screen.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: LordUnum
Doubt WD-40 would loosen anything with thick, greasy crud like plumber's putty all over it. Keep pulling/pushing on those tabs. In the worst case scenario just borrow a monkey wrench or a really large pair of pliers. After you're through, don't forget to wrap the pipe threads with tape and tighten everything up good. I use tape and plumber's goop on the pipe ends, make sure everything is damn tight, and wait 24 hrs. before using the faucet when I'm working on the drain pipes in order to avoid any chance of leaks... but that's because I'm nutty like that.

I use flexible toric lenses, so I somewhat know where you're coming from. Just rinse them good under the faucet, and use that cleaning solution quite liberally. Good luck.

EDIT: And getting one of those sink traps linked to above would be a wise investment.

Why do you wait? Use it right away and if it leaks just tighten it down more until it stops.

Plumbers putty doesn't set or harden so waiting 24 hours isn't going to do anything.

 

[ForumMaster]

hmm. it might be possible. i use regular monthly soft contacts so i wouldn't wanna drop them, but i can loose a pair. i agree about the drain screen. it would save you a lot of gried in the future. after you get it out, wash the big stuff away and then keep it for like 48 hours inside that nasty chemical's they give you. apply more after the first day. good luck man.

 

[getbush]

If you ever drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let'em go, because, man, they're gone.
Jack Handey

 

[PhoenixOrion]

I hope you value your vision/healthy eyes more than that.

Cleaning/sanitizing contacts do not necessarily mean that you've killed all the bacteria that may have been on those lenses.

 

[SampSon]

I'd just get another contact.

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
I hope you value your vision/healthy eyes more than that.

Cleaning/sanitizing contacts do not necessarily mean that you've killed all the bacteria that may have been on those lenses.

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I went down to home depot and got a wrench and took off the trap...no contact.

But obviously your MD in opthamology is a little outdated...you'd get more bacteria handling a dollar bill and then rubbing your eyes. As for mine, they're the healthiest my eye doctor's ever seen, and I sleep with my contacts in for weeks at a time. I'm blind as a bat, mind you, but the actual cells in my eyes couldn't be better. (And before you draw some hair-brained connection, realize that I was born with horrible eyesight and the health of my eyes has nothing to do with it)

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: PhoenixOrion
I hope you value your vision/healthy eyes more than that.

Cleaning/sanitizing contacts do not necessarily mean that you've killed all the bacteria that may have been on those lenses.

that and I don't want WD-40 anywhere NEAR my eye...



Live and learn...let it go...

 

[getbush]

Obviously your participation ribbon in reading comprehension is outdated. He's talking about the ****** that is in a sink drain. Not on your lenses from being in your eyes all day.

Just as FYI I called up my roomate who is in optometry school. He said in that situation you could keep the contact but you should take it to the eye doctor where they will autoclave it for 8 hours. Anyone who who wants to know what an autoclave is can google it.

 

[MrPickins]

Originally posted by: getbush
Obviously your participation ribbon in reading comprehension is outdated. He's talking about the ****** that is in a sink drain. Not on your lenses from being in your eyes all day.

Just as FYI I called up my roomate who is in optometry school. He said in that situation you could keep the contact but you should take it to the eye doctor where they will autoclave it for 8 hours. Anyone who who wants to know what an autoclave is can google it.

That would definitely sanitize it.

OP: how's it going getting the drain back together?

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: MrPickins

Originally posted by: getbush
Obviously your participation ribbon in reading comprehension is outdated. He's talking about the ****** that is in a sink drain. Not on your lenses from being in your eyes all day.

Just as FYI I called up my roomate who is in optometry school. He said in that situation you could keep the contact but you should take it to the eye doctor where they will autoclave it for 8 hours. Anyone who who wants to know what an autoclave is can google it.

That would definitely sanitize it.

OP: how's it going getting the drain back together?

1. I'm jsut saying that if you don't know what you are doing you could get a bunch of crap all over the lense...not directly, but indirectly

2....if it works and doesn't cost too much money go for it...

3. gettign that thign together is simple, but you have to know what you are doing...

 

[scootermaster]

Originally posted by: getbush
Obviously your participation ribbon in reading comprehension is outdated. He's talking about the ****** that is in a sink drain. Not on your lenses from being in your eyes all day.

Just as FYI I called up my roomate who is in optometry school. He said in that situation you could keep the contact but you should take it to the eye doctor where they will autoclave it for 8 hours. Anyone who who wants to know what an autoclave is can google it.

No, my reading comprehension works just fine. What I was saying that my eyes are in perfect health. And I've dropped many of these things down the drain. Well, not many, but I've done it at least 3 or 4 times. And, again, my eyes simply could not be healthier. The example about sleeping in my contacts was just that...an example about what you can do to your eyes and still have them be as good as they can get. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

But I realized that I've switched to a lighter kind of contact, and it probably just went bye-bye. Oh well. I guess the good news is this type is cheaper and better for my eyeballs. But yes, I did get a screen trap thingee for the bottom of the sink so this won't happen again. Thanks for all your concern.