Here’s What to Do If Your Kids Flush Toys down the Toilet

Kids are often easily entertained, although sometimes their preferred form of entertainment can sometimes give you a throbbing headache. Have your kids ever flushed their toys down the toilet? It's hard to suggest why kids would do this, other than the fact that it might seem like fun. Would you know what to do if your kids block the toilet with a flushed toy?

Removing the Blockage Yourself

Take a wire coat hanger and unwind it until it's a single piece of wire. Using pliers, twist one end of the wire into a small loop. This will allow you to hook the object causing the blockage, and it also prevents you from inadvertently scratching the interior or your toilet. Extend the wire into the toilet and try to hook the object causing the blockage. This operation requires delicacy, otherwise you can very easily push the object further into the toilet. Your chances of success depend on the nature of the blockage. A stuffed, soft toy will be easier to hook than a hard, plastic doll (or your car keys).

When Further Action Is Needed

If this method is unsuccessful, you have two further course of action. Of course the easiest option is to call a plumber. They will be able to use a plumber's snake to remove the blockage, and this is essentially a more sophisticated version of the untwisted wire coat hanger (and the plumber has the experience in using it more successfully than your efforts). You can also remove the toilet from the floor to retrieve the blockage. This is not a decision to be taken lightly, and you should only attempt to do so if you're confident in your abilities. You will need to shut off the water to the toilet and drain the bowl. Flushing will remove most of the water, but the rest will need to be manually scooped out before you thoroughly dry the bowl. Once the toilet has been unbolted, you will need a second person to help you lift it in order to retrieve the blockage.

Preventing It from Happening Again

Of course, this whole process is a massive inconvenience. Your child will soon learn not to flush things down the toilet (although perhaps not soon enough). You might wish to invest in toilet locks, meaning that your child will need your assistance to open the toilet's lid. It's not something that will need to remain in place forever, but it will immediately solve the issue until such time as it's no longer an issue.

While you can hope that your kids will never indulge in this form of entertainment, it's important to know how to fix the problem.


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