I dropped a pinball in the toilet

OK, so I was at the shop last night cleaning off a new set of Stern's legendarily shitty new pinballs, and i managed to drop one right in the shitter.

I heard it clang around for a few seconds. Shoving a telescopic magnet into the drain produced nothing (either good or bad how you look at it).

I don't know shit about toilets except the tank (I replaced the flapper recently to stop it from running and was so proud), so I don't know what the rules are here.

I'm guessing it settled into the S somewhere. Do I really need to get that thing out of there or can I just let the pinball live in the toilet for the rest of my life? This is the toilet at the shop, not the home.

#2 47 days ago

RJB

EternitytoM83

Pinside member

6y 55,050 849 1

I love this thread already.

#3 47 days ago

RFR

Geeterman1

Pinside member

Wheaton, IL

2y 40,800 347 3

With enough flushes (probably one) it’ll go down the drain. Something this small and spherical, I wouldn’t be too worried about it clogging a line down stream.

#4 47 days ago

ERC

ercvacation

Pinside+ Addict

Pittsburgh, PA

8y 68,550 1,045 11 10

So the toilet eats the balls??

#5 47 days ago

???

Yoko2una

Pinside member

9y 126K 4,435 1

Quoted from Geeterman1:
With enough flushes (probably one) it’ll go down the drain.

A good plunger would probably work even quicker. Depending on the geometry of the trapway, the water could just go around a dense object without some serious force behind it.

This also would never be an issue if you just had a fart toilet.

#6 47 days ago

RMW

rwmech5

Pinside+ Frequent

Put some paper in to grab the ball, I don't think the water is enough to push it through. Is it a low consumption or a good old school 3.5 gallon flusher?

#7 47 days ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Quoted from rwmech5:
Put some paper in to grab the ball, I don't think the water is enough to push it through. Is it a low consumption or a good old school 3.5 gallon flusher?

If it's still there should I give it another shot with the magnet? or is it not a straight line?

I think it's an old school 3.5er.

#8 47 days ago

YBX

yancy

Pinside member

West Dundee, IL

12y 122K 7,465 25

Turd'll push 'er through.

#9 47 days ago

ESA

Apollo18

Pinside+ Frequent

6y 84,050 1,420

I think the logical thing to do here,

Is nothing.

Let it be. And hopefully it will let you be.

Live in peace my friends.
(This thread is about to take off lol)
F5BB139F-1493-4A5F-A2DF-A91936DC3D10 (resized).jpeg

#10 47 days ago

RMW

rwmech5

Pinside+ Frequent

Yup you could, if it's there I can't se it making it up around the trap those balls are a good weight. At least it's smooth and if the drains are sloped properly it'll roll away!

#11 47 days ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Quoted from rwmech5:
Yup you could, if it's there I can't se it making it up around the trap those balls are a good weight. At least it's smooth and if the drains are sloped properly it'll roll away!

Maybe it's already rolling around somewhere under 10th avenue. It sure clanged around for a bit before settling in (at least 3-4 seconds).

#12 47 days ago

LXL

Isochronic_Frost

Saratoga Silverball

7y 221K 9,605 108

I can’t see how it will cause any issues in the future. It will just rust away and eventually something will carry it through. Unless you really need that ball back, just leave it

#13 47 days ago

RMW

rwmech5

Pinside+ Frequent

The trap is about 18" -20" so if you're magnet is past that, she gone! I managed to get a lost toilet brass toilet bolt to go down the drain so a ball should go easy.

#14 47 days ago

JAY

Jaybird815

Pinside member

Manhattan, IL

9y 123K 7,072 2

I’d go get a good Reuben, then return in a few hours, have a seat and it’ll push it straight through.

#15 47 days ago

???

PinRetail

Pinside+ Addict

Unknown

2y 51,050 2,173

Tell the truth CrazyLevi.

You were inspired by Ted of Roadshow. A couple days later...

#16 47 days ago

JDD

jackd104

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12y 113K 4,156 10 15 3

“Dropped” in the toilet. Sure. I suspect you’ve been swallowing pinballs.

#17 47 days ago

RMS

ralphs007

Pinside member

Gilbertsville, PA

6y 88,050 1,959

OP
Quoted from CrazyLevi:
Maybe it's already rolling around somewhere under 10th avenue. It sure clanged around for a bit before settling in (at least 3-4 seconds).

If this happened to me,the pinball would have broke my toilet before it want down the pipe.

#18 47 days ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Quoted from jackd104:
“Dropped” in the toilet. Sure. I suspect you’ve been swallowing pinballs.

There are worse things I could be doing with pinballs that would make them end up in the crapper! So I’ll accept this.

#19 47 days ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Quoted from ralphs007:
If this happened to me,the pinball would have broke my toilet before it want down the pipe.

Believe me that thought crossed my mind. Porcelain ain’t exactly bulletproof.

#20 47 days ago

KJS

Pinside+ Frequent

7y 85,100 1,360

The irony, I can't type.....

#21 47 days ago

???

Williampinball

Pinside+ Frequent

Collingwood, ON

11y 66,550 4,235 1

Oh shit lol u will be fine just leave it , it will go though by it self

#22 47 days ago

MEH

ThePinballCo-op

The Pinball Co-op

9y 117K 1,777 42 2

I came here to read about John Wick but I clicked this thread first.

I am not disappointed.

#23 47 days ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Quoted from ThePinballCo-op:
I came here to read about John Wick but I clicked this thread first.
I am not disappointed.

Since the stupid “gun gate” stuff came up this thread is a far less shitty alternative !

#24 47 days ago

MWM

Hayfarmer

Pinside+ Frequent

5y 163K 16,629 5

Big order from Taco Bell will push it out.

#25 46 days ago

JEG

ejg10532626

Pinside member

Peabody, MA

11y 76,600 1,442 13

NY Chinese food, time, nature, and some liquid plumber to be sure.

That should do the trick.

#26 46 days ago

JON

bigehrl

Jackbar

12y 97,150 3,868 81

nobody’s asking the important questions.. like, why were you cleaning pinballs in the bathroom, over the toilet?

#27 46 days ago

RVB

Boycer

Pinside member

Cheat Lake, WV

5y 51,300 160 10 2

I'd email American Pinball. Their service department are pros at shitty pinballs.

#28 46 days ago

???

EaglePin

Pinside+ Frequent

Downers Grove, IL

5y 115K 3,305 6

Since toilets can flush golf balls, you should be just fine:

#29 46 days ago

GCH

dos_reboot

Pinside+ Frequent

13y 91,800 834 80

pasted_image (resized).png

#30 46 days ago

---

ForceFlow

Pinside Moderator

10y 241K 31,915 281 9

I imagine it already went past the trap and out through the plumbing. Otherwise, it would have sunk to the bottom of the bowl.

pasted_image (resized).png

#31 46 days ago

JEK

rosh

Pinside+ Frequent

10y 109K 3,594

I'm just surprised we haven't yet seen someone post "This happened to me once and . . . "

#32 46 days ago

JJF

wolverinetuner

Pinside+ Frequent

Dearborn, MI

7y 94,800 2,985 17

Quoted from bigehrl:
nobody’s asking the important questions.. like, why were you cleaning pinballs in the bathroom, over the toilet?

Well, now we all know where Levi’s “shop” is.

#33 46 days ago

REW

woody76

Pinball Marketing

Nashville, TN

9y 142K 6,892 7 98

Just take a massive load and it will push it down

#34 46 days ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Quoted from bigehrl:
nobody’s asking the important questions.. like, why were you cleaning pinballs in the bathroom, over the toilet?

Water comes out of the sink

Paper towels sit on the toilet tank

I have butterfingers

There ya go. You’ve been here before!!! You know
It ain’t exactly the ritz!!

#35 46 days ago

LEV

CrazyLevi

Quoted from EaglePin:
Since toilets can flush golf balls, you should be just fine:

See this is what I’m looking for.

#36 46 days ago

???

Williampinball

Pinside+ Frequent

Collingwood, ON

11y 66,550 4,235 1

OP
Quoted from CrazyLevi:
See this is what I’m looking for.

Yes u will be fine for sure no worrys

#37 46 days ago

JON

Blacksun

Pinside member

Mokena, IL

7y 76,300 580 7 10

Much better than the John Wick Hype thread...

#38 46 days ago

LTG

Pinside member

Hopkins, MN

12y 191K 57,559 24 7

I really wish someone else had posted this.

Just to see CrazyLevi's response.

LTG : )

#39 46 days ago

RAP

RyanStl

Pinside member

Fenton, MO

9y 134K 12,865 1 109

Not the worse place to lose a ball. Could have been eaten by a dog!

#40 46 days ago

TLZ

timtim

Pinside member

9y 89,300 2,968 8 7

Maybe this is how we solve the baby wipe and tampon issue, Shark Tank here we come Levi!

#41 46 days ago

RAP

RyanStl

Pinside member

Fenton, MO

9y 134K 12,865 1 109

Reminds me of that time when my wife and I were fooling around and....wait nevermind.

#42 46 days ago

LTG

Pinside member

Hopkins, MN

12y 191K 57,559 24 7

If the toilet keeps flushing like it already did, I wouldn't worry about it.

If it starts flushing different, or several flushes for crap to go through. Throw a few more balls in there.

That makes the plumber visit more worthwhile. And if the plumber asks what the F ? Explain you might have too much iron in your diet.

LTG : )

#43 46 days ago

DAD

titanpenguin

Pinside member

9y 126K 29,079

I really expected this thread to start off with “this one time at band camp…..”

#44 46 days ago

RMW

rwmech5

Pinside+ Frequent

Wall hung toilets with flush valves won’t flush vape containers. Stupid high school kids.

#45 46 days ago

LTG

Pinside member

Hopkins, MN

12y 191K 57,559 24 7

It needs a better story.

I was playing pinball, had a great game going. Ball hops off a ramp, breaks the glass, goes bouncing across the room. Hits the cat, careens off the dog, bounces down the stairs, into the bathroom scares the wife who stands up, and bounces into the crapper.

Now that's a story we'd believe or relate to.

LTG : )

#46 46 days ago

DAD

titanpenguin

Pinside member

9y 126K 29,079

OP
Quoted from CrazyLevi:
See this is what I’m looking for.

Go big or go home!

#47 46 days ago

VNO

Vino

Pinside+ Addict

8y 171K 6,427 62 2 1

Just make sure you demagnetize the basin before flushing the next one.

#48 46 days ago

DUG

GreenMachine19

Pinside member

Groton, CT

10y 64,300 1,589 5

That thing is probably gone. If you fished around with a magnet and didn’t get it, it’s in the sewer.

#49 46 days ago

???

briyau15

Pinside member

3y 47,300 522 7

So there seems to be a consensus that it probably passed through fine. The next question is how many pinballs can be “dropped” until it does clog? Someone please test and report back

#50 46 days ago

LEV

CrazyLevi