Nov 08, 2025 When you call a plumber from Acknowledge Plumbing, you expect them to handle clogs, leaks, and the occasional lost ring. What surprises people is what actually ends up inside those pipes. A drain cleaning can reveal a strange mix of everyday habits and total mysteries. Some of the things pulled out of sinks, showers, and toilets are so odd that they make even the most seasoned technician stop and laugh. Below are some of the weirdest discoveries that remind us why a good plumbing repair service matters and why you might want to think twice about what goes down the drain next time. Keep reading to see what’s been found where it definitely shouldn’t be.
Jewelry and Other “Treasure Chest” Finds
A surprise that comes up again and again during drain cleaning is valuable jewelry. Wedding rings, earrings, and gold chains slip off without warning. One small drop into the sink can send a priceless keepsake deep into the pipes. Plumbers have pulled out watches and cufflinks as well. Sometimes a homeowner thinks they've lost their ring for months, and during a kitchen sink unclogging, the plumber’s retrieval tool pulls it up, wrapped in a nest of food scraps and grease. Coins are another odd but frequent find. Children seem to enjoy dropping loose change into open drains “just to see where it goes.” At some point, the buildup of coins can trap grease and soap scum, then form a stubborn clog that no store-bought cleaner can handle. Professionals know how to retrieve the items safely without damaging the pipes or pushing the blockage deeper.
Strange Household Objects
Across homes large and small, plumbers find objects in drains that no one expects, like toothbrushes wedged into sink traps or kitchen utensils that slide off counters and slip into disposal openings. Loose items that rest near the edge of a bathroom sink can fall in without a sound. Once the object drifts into the pipe, it becomes a base for debris. Children add plenty of unknown blockages as well. Toys, crayons, and tiny figures vanish during bath time or play. A rubber bath toy might drift toward the drain and disappear. The object sits inside the pipe and waits for the next hairball to latch on. Cotton swabs, floss picks, and lid caps turn up frequently. These items fall into the drain during normal routines. They lodge in the first bend in the pipe and collect everything that follows. Hair and soap build a thick layer around the object until the pipe becomes narrow. At first, you notice slow-draining water. Then the sink backs up completely. At that point, a simple home fix will not solve it. A plumber must reach the blockage, pull out the item, and clear the line.
Backflow happens when contaminated water from outside your pipes reverses direction and…
Read More Water leaks, whether apparent or hidden, are a homeowner's nightmare. They can…
Read More When expanding your living space with an Accessory Dwelling Unit or a…
Read More From unexpected backups to soggy lawns, the signs of a failing septic…
Read More Do you want to keep your lawn and garden lush and vibrant,…
Read More Our Services
Acknowledge Plumbing provides 24-hour residential and commercial plumbing repair & installation services in Sacramento County and all surrounding areas. Call our office now to schedule a nearby plumber.
Food and Kitchen Oddities
Kitchen drains collect what we wash away from plates and cookware. Some materials rinse through with no problem. Others stick to the pipe and build up into a solid blockage. Three items show up over and over during service calls. Potato scraps turn into a paste after a disposal breaks them apart, then settles and packs itself into the trap. Coffee grounds form a dense layer that grows heavier when other food bits cling to it. Grease cools the moment water hits it and coats the pipe. Each item behaves differently, yet the end result is the same. The line narrows until water can no longer pass through. Strong water pressure will not fix this. Hot water melts grease only long enough for it to move deeper into the pipe. It cools again and becomes harder to reach. A plumber clears the pipe by removing the buildup instead of pushing it farther. A small change in kitchen habits prevents most of these issues. Scrape plates into the trash before washing. Allow cooking fat to harden in a jar before disposal. Place a strainer in the drain and empty it after each meal. These steps keep the interior of the pipe clean and reduce service calls.
Unexpected Living Guests
Outdoor plumbing lines create small pathways that lead from the yard to the sewer system. Animals discover these pathways through vents, cracked clean-out caps, yard drains, or gaps where the pipe meets soil. Moisture in a pipe appeals to any creature that relies on cool spaces or a water source. Plumbers report that frogs, lizards, small snakes, and sometimes turtles enter through these openings. Once inside, the animal continues forward until it reaches the first trap or bend. The pipe narrows, and the animal cannot turn around. At that point, water slows or stops. Indoors, hair and moisture inside bathroom lines provide a place for insects like drain flies to breed. Homeowners notice a problem when water backs up, odors escape from the fixture, or the drain produces strange sounds. A professional does not guess at the cause. Drain cameras record a clear image of the inside of the pipe. Once the obstruction is located, the line is cleared, and the residue is flushed out. Routine cleaning limits moisture and buildup inside the drain, which makes the line unappealing to animals and insects.
The Items That Make No Sense
Some drain clogs come from items that have no logical reason to be in a pipe. Plumbers report finding key fobs, makeup bottles, headphones, and kitchen magnets. These items are usually dropped by accident. They slide toward the drain opening and disappear before anyone notices. In toilets, small objects fall from pockets or fall off the back of the tank and enter the bowl. Once an object enters the line, it becomes an anchor point. Chemical cleaners do not solve the blockage because the problem is a solid object. Only physical removal works. Keep small items away from the edge of sinks and tubs. Close the lid on toilets before storing anything near them. Use a drain strainer when washing dishes. A drain is designed to carry water and waste that breaks down. Anything else turns into a service call.
Why These Stories Matter
Behind every weird discovery is a reminder about how plumbing works. When something weird gets lodged inside, it can restrict flow, corrode metal, or burst under pressure. A plumber can identify what caused them and how to prevent a repeat. Drain cleaning keeps your system healthy by clearing buildup before it causes severe damage. It also protects your home from leaks and odors that travel up from the pipes. Plumbers in Arden Arcade use specialized cameras, hydro-jets, and retrieval tools designed for each pipe size. These methods reach deep into the system without tearing apart flooring or walls. You’ll get the job done right the first time, with no surprises left behind.
Is It Time to Call a Professional?
If you’re dealing with a slow drain or strange noise, it’s best to get it checked early. Acknowledge Plumbing has handled every kind of clog imaginable. Our team knows how to locate blockages fast and get your flow back without disrupting your home. Whether you need drain cleaning or a complete plumbing repair service, we are here to help. Call today to schedule your drain cleaning and keep those pipes clear.
