Flushing a toy down the toilet is more common than you might think, especially in households with young children. So, what happens if a toy gets flushed down the toilet? It’s a scenario that can lead to a range of plumbing problems, from minor clogs to more severe blockages that require professional intervention.
As a trusted plumbing service in Australia, Plus Plumbing often encounters this issue, and we’re here to help you understand what happens when a toy goes down the toilet, the potential consequences, and what steps you can take to resolve the problem.
The Immediate Impact of Flushing a Toy
When a toy gets flushed down and stuck in the toilet, it doesn’t just disappear into the sewage system. Toilets are designed to handle waste and toilet paper, but foreign objects, especially solid ones like toys, can create immediate problems. The toy can become lodged in the toilet’s trap, which is the curved section of the drain pipe that holds water to prevent sewer gases from entering your home. If the toy gets stuck here, it can cause an immediate blockage, making it impossible to flush the toilet properly.
In some cases, the toy may move past the trap and into the drain line. While this might seem like a good thing at first, it actually increases the likelihood of a more severe blockage further down the plumbing system. If the toy reaches the main sewer line, it can cause a complete blockage, which is a much more serious issue requiring professional help.
Consequences of a Blocked Toilet
A blocked toilet due to a flushed toy can have several consequences, ranging from inconvenient to potentially damaging:
- Inconvenience: The most immediate consequence is that you won’t be able to use the toilet until the blockage is cleared. This can be particularly troublesome if you only have one bathroom in your home.
- Overflow and Water Damage: If the blockage causes the toilet to overflow, you could end up with water damage in your bathroom. This is not just a mess to clean up; it can lead to more serious issues like mould growth if not dealt with promptly.
- Sewer Backup: If the toy manages to travel down to the main sewer line and causes a blockage, it can result in a sewer backup. This is a serious problem that can affect not just your toilet but also other drains in your home, leading to a messy and unhygienic situation.
- Plumbing Damage: In some cases, the pressure from a blockage can cause damage to the pipes or the toilet itself, leading to expensive repairs or replacements.
Steps to Take If a Toy Gets Flushed
If you realise a toy has been flushed down the toilet, it’s important to act quickly. Here are the steps you should follow:
1. Do Not Flush Again
It might be tempting to flush the toilet again in the hope that the toy will go down, but this is likely to make the problem worse. Flushing again could push the toy further down the drain, making it more difficult to retrieve and increasing the risk of a more severe blockage.
2. Check for Visible Blockage
If the toy is still visible in the toilet bowl, you might be able to remove it yourself. Put on a pair of long rubber gloves and try to retrieve the toy by hand. If the toy is too far down to reach, you might need to use a tool like a pair of tongs or a coat hanger to try and hook it out.
3. Use a Plunger
If the toy is not visible but the toilet is blocked, your next step should be to use a plunger. A flange plunger, which has a smaller cup and a curved flap below the lip, is particularly effective for toilet clogs. The goal is to create enough suction to either pull the toy back up or push it further down into the drain where it might move freely.
4. Try a Drain Auger
If plunging doesn’t work, the next tool to try is a drain auger (also known as a plumber’s snake). This tool is designed to navigate through the pipes and latch onto whatever is causing the blockage. If you feel resistance while using the auger, it means you’ve likely reached the toy. Twist the auger to grab hold of the toy and slowly pull it back out. This method requires some patience and might take several attempts.
5. Remove the Toilet
In cases where the toy is lodged too far down for a plunger or auger to reach, you may need to remove the toilet. This is a more involved process that requires turning off the water supply, draining the toilet, and unbolting it from the floor. Once the toilet is removed, you’ll have direct access to the drain and can retrieve the toy. While this can be done as a DIY project, it’s often best left to professionals like Plus Plumbing to avoid damaging your plumbing.
Inside Plus Plumbing
At Plus Plumbing, we’ve seen it all when it comes to blocked drains across Sydney – from the eastern suburbs of Western Sydney and all the way up the Blue Mountains. One of the more common, yet surprising culprits? Toys flushed down the toilet.
Recently, we were called to a property managed by a local real estate agency in The Hills. A young boy had decided that his action figures would be better suited for underwater adventures and flushed them down the toilet. Naturally, the toys got stuck, causing a blockage that needed immediate attention.
The team at Plus Plumbing sprang into action, using our advanced tools and expertise, we managed to retrieve the toys without even needing to disconnect the toilet. Instead, we accessed an inspection opening and used a specially designed retrieval tool, guided by our trusty sewer camera, to locate and remove the toys with precision.
As we pulled out the last action figure, the boy’s father sighed and said, “I guess that explains the blockage.” We all nodded in agreement, and the little boy, seemingly unaware of the trouble his toys had caused, asked if he could have them back. We left him with a gentle reminder that the toilet isn’t a toy box!
When to Call a Professional
While there are several steps you can take on your own to try and retrieve a flushed toy, there are times when it’s best to call in a professional plumber. If you’ve tried the above methods without success, or if the toy has caused a serious blockage that’s affecting other parts of your plumbing system, it’s time to seek expert help. At Plus Plumbing, we have the tools and experience to quickly and safely remove blockages, whether it’s a small toy or something more significant.
Preventing Future Blockages
Prevention is always better than cure, especially when it comes to your plumbing. Here are some tips to prevent toys and other objects from being flushed down the toilet in the future:
- Childproof Your Toilet: Consider installing a toilet lock to prevent young children from flushing things down the toilet. This is especially useful if your child is at the age where they’re curious about how the toilet works.
- Educate Your Children: Teach your children about what can and cannot be flushed down the toilet. Explain that only toilet paper and waste should go down the toilet, and that toys belong in the playroom, not the bathroom.
- Keep the Bathroom Door Closed: When not in use, keep the bathroom door closed to prevent young children from playing in the bathroom unsupervised.
- Supervise Bathroom Use: Until your child is old enough to understand the consequences, supervise their bathroom use to ensure they’re not flushing anything they shouldn’t be.
Conclusion
Flushing a toy down the toilet might seem like a small mishap, but it can lead to serious plumbing problems if not dealt with promptly and correctly. By understanding the potential consequences and knowing the steps to take, you can minimise the damage and avoid costly repairs.
Remember, Plus Plumbing is always here to help with any plumbing issues, big or small. Whether it’s retrieving a flushed toy or dealing with a more serious blockage, our team of professionals is just a phone call away. Keep your plumbing in top shape by staying vigilant and taking quick action when accidents happen.
