As a father of 2 very naughty children, I have to deal with some unpleasant situations from time to time. However, the most disturbing situation was finding out that my child’s toy was stuck in my toilet.
Have you ever had the misfortune of having your child’s toy flush down the toilet? You can understand how frustrating and embarrassing this is.
But since I am a professional plumber, I have discovered many effective ways to deal with this situation.
This blog post will explore seven possible ways to remove a toy from a toilet. So keep reading to find out how to remove that pesky toy without causing any further damage.
How Does a Child’s Toy Become Stuck?
Well, I must say, as a busy father, It’s my nightmare: That I hear a splash coming from the bathroom, only to find my child’s favorite toy floating in the toilet.
But how did it get there? Well, after spending many years with my naughty kid, I have discovered a few ways.
First, toddlers are notoriously curious and like to explore everything with their hands.
This includes putting small toys in their mouths and dropping them into toilets. Once the toy is in the water, it can be challenging to come back out again.
Second, toilets flush by suction, which means that anything that goes down the drain is at risk of getting sucked into the plumbing.
This is especially true for small toys that fit easily through the hole in the toilet bowl.
Finally, toilets are usually located in bathrooms, which means they are often near water sources. This makes it easy for a child’s toy to end up in the toilet simply by being left too close to the edge of the bathtub or sink.
In short, there are many reasons why a child’s toy might end up in the toilet. But relax. There is no need to worry because, fortunately, there are also many ways to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Signs That There is a Stuck Toy
Have you ever gone into the bathroom and noticed the toilet clogged? There is a 99.9% chance that you may have thought it was just because someone didn’t flush, but it could be something else entirely – a stuck toy.
It happens more often than you might think, and if your kids are just like mine and like to play around with their toys in the bathroom, then you should know what signs to look for when determining if a toy is lodged in the toilet.
Clogging Up Your Toilet
The most obvious sign of a stuck toy is if your toilet becomes clogged and won’t flush properly.
Flushing will become more complicated, and you may even hear gurgling sounds as water attempts to pass through the obstruction.
If this happens, try using an auger or plunger to clear the clog. If those methods don’t work, then it’s likely a toy is blocking your pipes.
A Foul Odor
If a toy is stuck in your toilet, it may be slowly decaying over time and releasing foul odors.
There could also be mold growing on the item’s surface due to prolonged exposure to moisture and warm temperatures in an enclosed space like a pipeline or septic tank.
These smells can travel up through your plumbing system, making their presence known with an unpleasant odor throughout your bathroom or house.
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No Flushing Sounds
Another sign that something might be blocking your plumbing system is if you flush but hear no sound from inside the bowl as water rushes down into it.
This could mean that water cannot pass through freely because something is blocking its path and preventing it from entering.
You should inspect other drains around your house for similar symptoms before concluding that there’s a blockage in your toilet specifically.
So you don’t waste time trying to fix something that isn’t broken!
Unusual Noises Coming From the Toilet
If you hear strange noises from your toilet, this could indicate that something is lodged in the plumbing.
For example, you may hear gurgling or water rushing through the pipes when it shouldn’t.
If this happens, check your toilet to see if anything looks out of place and take steps to investigate further.
Related article:
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Slow Draining Water
Water draining slowly can also signal that something is blocking your pipes.
When flushing the toilet, pay attention to how quickly (or not!) the water drains away—if it takes longer than usual, there might be a blockage somewhere in the system.
This isn’t always a sign of a toy stuck in the pipes; however, it should always prompt further investigation.
How To Remove Toy From Toilet | 7 Possible Ways
It happens to the best of us—you’re playing with your child’s toy, and it accidentally falls into the toilet. But don’t worry, there’s no need to call a plumber.
Instead, you can remove the toy from the toilet with patience and carefulness.
Here I will share seven possible ways to remove the toy from the toilet.
I have tried all of these ways from time to time based on the situation and trust me they worked every time.
Removal By Hand
If the toy is small enough, you can remove it by hand. First, put on a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands from bacteria. Then, reach into the toilet and try to grab the toy.
If it’s lodged in the trap, you may need to use a plunger to loosen it before you can remove it by hand.
If the toy is too large to remove by hand, don’t despair! Read on for more tips. I am 100% confident that they will work for you.
Removal With A Drain Auger
Another effective way to remove the toy from the toilet is using a drain auger. Here’s how you do it.
Step 1: You’ll first need to turn off the water to the toilet. This will prevent any further mess from being made.
Step 2: Once the water is off, you can remove the toy from the toilet. The easiest way to do this is with a drain auger.
A drain auger is a long, flexible rod with a spiral head that can be inserted into the drain and used to remove obstructions.
Step 3: Insert the auger into the toilet bowl and spiral it around until you feel resistance. This resistance will be the toy that’s blocking the drain.
Step 4: Keep spiraling until you’ve removed the entire obstruction, then flush the toilet to clear any remaining debris.
If you don’t have a drain auger, you can use a plunger or a wire hanger to remove the obstruction.
But be warned – these methods are more likely to cause damage to your toilet, so they should only be used as a last resort.
Plunge The Toilet
If you have a toy that’s gotten stuck in your toilet, don’t panic. The good news is that removing a toy from a toilet is relatively easy, as long as you have a plunger.
Start by ensuring enough water is in the toilet bowl to cover the suction cup on the plunger.
Then, place the plunger over the drain and push and pull the plunger up and down to create suction. Once you’ve got a good seal, continue plunging until the toy pops out of the drain.
If the toy is still stuck after a few minutes of plunging, don’t be sad, I have more ways for you that will work.
Fish The Toy Out By Making Hook
Okay, I must say that this one way is easy but yet tricky too (But I love this one technique).
If your child’s toy is struck in the toilet, you can probably fish it without calling a plumber.
Instead, act quickly, and do not flush the toilet again until you have the toy.
Step 1: Start by removing the toilet tank’s lid and locating the flush valve. This large, round knob controls how much water enters the bowl when you flush.
Step 2: Place your index finger over the hole in the center of the valve and push it well. This will stop the flow of water into the bowl and give you a chance to fish out the toy.
Step 3: Once you have removed the toy, put the lid back on the toilet tank and release the valve to let water flow back into the bowl.
Step 4: Give the toilet a flush to clear any debris that may have come loose when you took off the lid.
And that’s it! With a little quick thinking, you can avoid a plumbing nightmare.
Use a Toilet Snake
Another exciting and effective way to remove the toy from the toilet is using a toilet snake.
I know many of you know how to use it, but you need to learn that you can also use this little beast to remove toys from the toilet.
The steps are pretty simple. Here’s how you do that.
Step 1: The first step is to turn off the water to the toilet by shutting off the valve behind it.
Step 2: Next, put on some rubber gloves to protect your hands.
Step 3: You will need to insert the toilet snake into the toilet bowl and move it around clockwise.
Step 4: You should continue doing this until you feel the snake hit something solid. Once you hit something solid, start moving the snake up and down until you feel it loosen.
Step 5:At this point, you can start pulling on the snake, and the object should come out with it. If you have any trouble, you can always call a plumber for assistance (But I don’t recommend it).
Try Drain Cleaner Or Boil Water
Another option is to try using a drain cleaner. These products are designed to dissolve hair and other small objects lodged in a drain, so they can also effectively remove a child’s toy.
Pour the drain cleaner into the toilet bowl and let it sit for a few minutes before flushing. In most cases, the toy will dissolve enough to flush away.
If the drain cleaner does not work, you can also try using boiling water. Boil a pot of water and carefully pour it into the toilet bowl.
Let it sit for a couple of minutes before flushing. The heat from the water will often cause the toy to break down, making it easier to flush away.
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Call The Expert
Well, the ways mentioned above to remove the toy from the toilet are the most effective, but if all else fails, it’s time to call in a professional plumber who can safely remove the toy from your toilet.
Also good to read:
How To Remove Blue Stains From Toilet Seat
How To Remove Harpic Stains From Toilet Seat
How Much Does It Cost To Get a Toy Out Of a Toilet?
If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of flushing a toy down the toilet and don’t want to try it out yourself, then you may wonder how much it will cost to get it out. The good news is that, in most cases, the cost won’t be too high.
A plumber will typically charge between $50 and $100 to remove a small toy from a toilet, depending on the extent of the clog. However, if the toy is lodged in the sewer line, the price could increase to $200 or more.
In any case, it’s cheaper than buying your child a new toy. So if you find yourself in this situation, don’t despair – give your local plumber a call.
| Task | Price Range | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Unclogging a toilet | $90 – $180 | $135 |
| Drain Auger | — | $6 |
| Plunging The Toilet | — | $4 |
| Using Chemical Cleaners | $3.60 – $24 | $14 |
Also Read:
Do Hotels Charge You For Clogging The Toilet
Bottom Line
Don’t be embarrassed if your little one flushes their favorite toy down the toilet. It happens to the best of us. Follow these easy ways, and you’ll have that toy back in no time. And next time, keep a close eye on those little ones.