License and debit card down heating duct-help

[disnutt]

My DS stuck my "mommy cards" down his heater vent. I can see them about 12-15 feet down the duct work stuck on a flat spot. Can anyone suggest a method to get it out without having to call someone to crack open the duct?

I was thinking some thin wire w/ some really sticky putty or something but I don't know what would be sticky enough. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[goofyforlife]

Ask your DH if he has fish tape (it's a wire used to pull electrical wires)

If he doesn't have than a quick trip to Lowes or HD would solve that (a 15 or 20 foot one isn't that expensive)

Now for sticky maybe silly putty...i was thinking maybe something with rubber cement on it.... (apply the rubber cement and let it dry on the surface. It will be very tacky for the card to stick to)

I'm thinking tape a rubber cement covered popsicle stick to the end.

 

[disnutt]

Ask your DH if he has fish tape (it's a wire used to pull electrical wires)

If he doesn't have than a quick trip to Lowes or HD would solve that (a 15 or 20 foot one isn't that expensive)

Now for sticky maybe silly putty...i was thinking maybe something with rubber cement on it.... (apply the rubber cement and let it dry on the surface. It will be very tacky for the card to stick to)

I'm thinking tape a rubber cement covered popsicle stick to the end.

I KNOW DH doesn't have fish tape. He's got a million great qualities but 'handy around the house' ain't one of them!

Do we ask for 'fish tape' at the store?

 

[mrsklamc]

I don't know what fish tape looks like and if it's big enough to wrap something around, but could you wrap duct tape around it inside out?

 

[HM]

I was thinking bubble gum (chewed) as the sticky source...attached to a measuring tape (the metal kind). Put the gum on the end and then push the measuring tape down into the duct until you reach the card. Grab one at a time and slowly let up on the tension of the measuring tape. Good Luck!!

 

[DMRick]

Does your heating vent cover come off? If so, could you vaccuum them up? I have an older vaccuum, but if I put all the "tubes" on, it would go preety close to that length. Just be sure to put them on tight, or those will join the cards.
When we put a new furnace in, they found all sorts of little playpeople down our vent from our daughters room.

 

[ohiominnie]

I was going to suggest the vacuum route too. I know the cards won't be sucked up in the vacuum (too big) but I know I'd worry about that "potential" so I'd probably rubberband some cheesecloth or something over the end of the vacuum so it'd suck, but nothing would go IN there.

Good luck. Let us know how it turns out!

 

[goofyforlife]

I don't know what fish tape looks like and if it's big enough to wrap something around, but could you wrap duct tape around it inside out?

Yes it is called fish tape...I like the duct tape idea too

I'd try the tape measure first (try like a 25' one)

If you do try the fish tape, it is in the electrical section..

 

[Laurabearz]

(((Hugs))) Kids!

And yes, you ask for a fish tape at the hardware store and they wont look at you funny.. really... unless you tell them why you need it... then they may chuckle a bit...

Please keep us posted... (and pictures would be swell too )

 

[disnutt]

I think the measuring tape and duct tape combo may work. I've got a 30' tape and tried it w/ painter's tape. That was tacky enough to lift a card but when it bumped the side the card fell. Gonna have DH pick up a big roll of duct tape on his way home.

Tried the vacuum thing. Hose just wasn't long enough. However, I did find several lego pieces stuck in my hose extender.

 

[disnutt]

The worst part of it is that I have to get down on the floor, turn my head sideways and ask my 11 yo DD to hand me the tools once I wedge my head in. I've got to draw out about 20 ft of tape measure and set the lock on it then feed it down with one hand while holding the flashlight with the other. I need to make a wrist loop for the flashlight or I'm going to lose that, too!

Can anyone tell me if the fish tape is floppy or kind of stiff. It might help if it were stiffer than the tape measure so that I can 'spear' the cards once I get the duct tape.

 

[ducklite]

I'd wrap duct tape or masking tape sticky side out around the end of a 12 inch ruler, then tape that securely to the tape measure tape. In all honesty I think that once you get it in contact with the cards, they will stick to the tape without much effort of pushing against them to make them stick.

Good luck.

Anne

 

[NotUrsula]

Good luck getting them out. The wider the measuring tape is the easier it will be to maneuver.

Is this duct running straight down with a 90 degree turn at the bottom? If so, you could just use strong string with a weight on the end, with tape wrapped around the weight sticky-side out. BTW, if the duct is running into your basement it is possible that there might be a hinged section on it after the turn -- mine have a couple of places in the basement where they can be opened, presumably to make cleaning easier.

While you're at the hardware store you might want to pick up some wide-mesh window screening and screen off the back of the vents that your child can reach. If he's dropped things in once he'll probably do it again (though it probably won't be your cards if you've read him the riot act!)

 

[disnutt]

I like the mesh idea, too! I've been so worried about getting the stupid things out that I haven't thought about prevention.

There don't seem to be any hinges anywhere. I had tried to unscrew a part of the duct but there hardly seems to be any 'give' and I'd probably end up w/ a duct in pieces.

 

[treboats]

It could be worse my friends son pee'd down theirs. Good luck!

 

[Laurabearz]

Yes fish tape is stiffer than a measuring tape.

I would think the fish tape with a wad of duct tape at the end would work best.... I have been pondering this since I read it, and I am going to instruct DH to put mesh under all our vents!

 

[Frantasmic]

If these suggestions don't work, and they may not since I think you might have dexterity issues with a measuring tape, I suggest you go to Lowes for the second trip and get one of their telescoping poles. These are mainly used for washing windows on two-story homes. However, I think these will offer more stability given the angle you have to work with and the fact that you have to hold the flashlight with another hand. Wrap a glob of duct tape with the sticky side out around the end and you should be able to stick your mommy cards. Another thing that might work and save you from having to go to two stores (since silly putty isn't at Lowes) is the sticky stuff you can buy to hang things on your wall with. It is like silly putty, and it will be at Lowes or other home improvement center.

 

[D&D's Mom]

Oh - be sure to drive carefully when you go to Lowe's. Have you checked the fine for being ticketed for driving without a license in your state?

You seem to be in fairly good spirits about this so far, so I hope you won't be offended by my comment. Just trying to lighten up the scenario!

Good luck! Let us know what happens.

 

[disnutt]

DH will be buying lots of duct tape, fish tape and some mesh. I'm not even going to imagine what we would have to do to prevent the peeing issue

We'll try it w/ the tape measure or a string first so maybe we can return the fish tape. The pole thing might not work because there is so little access to the vent that the pole won't flex enough to make it through.

I've got to go to my shift at work this evening so I may not get to post our results until morning.

Thanks for the suggestions because I may have shoved DS down the duct after the cards if not for this board!

 

[disnutt]

Oh - be sure to drive carefully when you go to Lowe's. Have you checked the fine for being ticketed for driving without a license in your state?

You seem to be in fairly good spirits about this so far, so I hope you won't be offended by my comment. Just trying to lighten up the scenario!

Good luck! Let us know what happens.

That's all I would need! Do you think the cop would believe me?

"Really officer! It's in the heater vent!"