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Original poster

A plate has fallen down the back of the loo - how can I get it out?

464 replies

ahundredtimes · 28/10/2008 17:26

And not just any plate - this is a plate painted by ME for dd's hair bands! I did it when she was painting a mug for dh- the man was so impressed he put it in the window. [preen]

It's annoying.

Now the cistern of the loo is built into a tongue and groove type wall affair, and can only be accessed from the top. The plate has fallen down, below the cistern, onto the floor below.

I can't reach it, nobody can reach it.

Any ideas?

OP posts:
mrsmaidamess · 28/10/2008 18:14

Get something long...piece of bamboo from the garden? Put a large blob of blu tack/wrap sticky sided tape on the end and using as much force as you can muster press it onto plate, preferably under the lip (which stops the hair bobbles falling off)

THEN you are going to have to, in the manner of The Crystal Maze (but preferably NOT wearing a jumpsuit and huge Boggly glasses) drag the plate up the wall inside the tongue and groove.Someone else may have to reach down with something to get it up to the top.

If you lived near me I'd come down and do it for you.

We're all on tenterhooks here. Its like when that kid got stuck down the well in America.

snigger · 28/10/2008 18:14
snigger · 28/10/2008 18:14

I'm so invested in the fate of this plate it's frightening.

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 28/10/2008 18:13

You are all brilliant.

I am going to go and see if I have anything to make any of these out of.

OP posts:
SharpMolarBear · 28/10/2008 18:13

Nooo don't poo poo any ideas while the plate is still at large....

pania · 28/10/2008 18:13

By material I mean fabric, like a tea towel or something. If you use a pole, will you be able to pull up the plate and then get it out without turning it sideways?

covertmission · 28/10/2008 18:12

mini plunger, I'm thinking of one of those clear plastic jobbies that hold your DC's bath toys to the wall by the bath. You can't suck through those, but if you attached the external nubbin to some cord and sent the sucker down slightly moistened and then squidged it onto the plate with a rod of dowelling then it could hold.

JustKeepScreamingInFear · 28/10/2008 18:12

I meant guinea pig, obviously.

LaMonsterWeaselwolf · 28/10/2008 18:11

Have you got a two long hollow tubes?

Get a long bit of string (at least twice the length of each) and thread the folded in half string through each so there's a fairly big enough loop at the end for the plate and both ends of the string and poking out the top so you can pull it tight.

Voila a make-shift granny-grabber thing. But if you use both it might be a bit more stable and the plate less likely to fall out...

JustKeepScreamingInFear · 28/10/2008 18:11

How about mini versions of these guys?

Or give the hamster their kit?

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 28/10/2008 18:10

Super glue on a stick!

Shall I try it? Will the stick always be stuck to my plate?

Hang on, I'll go and see if we've got super glue.

OP posts:
LostProphet · 28/10/2008 18:10
Grin
snigger · 28/10/2008 18:10

That was from your link, BTW!

snigger · 28/10/2008 18:09

ROFL Lost Prophet - basic helix?loop?helix transcription - isn't that another name for fabric loops?

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 28/10/2008 18:09

Oh I love the mini plunger - what is a mini plunger? Like a plumber's plunger.

Also sorry - I didn't understand the bit of material idea.

the guinea pig I like, especially one with circus training. I could let it down on a trapeze or something.

Oh it's annoying. i can SEE it.

OP posts:
KatyMac · 28/10/2008 18:09

It will

as there will be weight distributed between the 2 u's

Almost like an old fashioned plate hanger for the wall

LostProphet · 28/10/2008 18:09

BennyAndJoon - I heart your name

pania · 28/10/2008 18:08

Or instead of suction,how about a bit of material (for maximum contact area) daubed on the bottom end with superglue? Superglue would hold it surely?

BennyAndJoon · 28/10/2008 18:08

Superglue on the end of a pole

Rest pole against plate for 5 minutes (while plucking eyebrows or whatever)

Pull out plate

sorted

LostProphet · 28/10/2008 18:08

LONG FABRIC!!!

At least poo poo my idea

snigger · 28/10/2008 18:07

Or paint another plate and give that one up for posterity, have future home-owners puzzling as to the possible uses of a platter in the bathroom?

JustKeepScreamingInFear · 28/10/2008 18:07

hockey stick/golf club with big blob of blu-tack on the end?

loving this thread

Original poster
ahundredtimes · 28/10/2008 18:07

But how can the plate balance on two bits of wire? I won't will it, it'll fall off.

it's quite a big hair bobble plate.

I'd need like a self-assembling lettuce drier or something, to slip under it and then encage the plate.

Suction is our best bet, I think, but the hoover won't do it. No way, and then what if it falls off and BREAKS. [sobs]

Thank you all though for thinking.

I can't work it out - perhaps I really do need the old lady pincers?

OP posts:
LostProphet · 28/10/2008 18:07

lmao google "i'm feeling lucky" link hair bobble plate rescue

SharpMolarBear · 28/10/2008 18:06

lol KatyMac
Just a thought
Have you googled "bobble plate loo rescuers"?