Unless it's stuck, you should be able to pull it out in just a few seconds. It may take more work if the item is lodged or stuck farther down your toilet's plumbing. If the item is causing your toilet to back up, call a professional to avoid water damage in your bathroom.
Use A Toilet Plunger
Rhythmic thrusts with a toilet plunger can successfully remove the clogged item if you can't spot the object stuck in the drain. Plunging the toilet can cause a mess, so it's better to may need to wear protective gear and ensure you are not in your favourite shirt.
What Happens If a Toy Gets Flushed Down the Toilet? The worst-case scenario: It can cause a major clog in your toilet or sewer line, and if not taken care of properly, can damage your toilet or plumbing.
If you do accidentally flush a toilet freshener down the toilet, it's best to try to retrieve it. You could use gloves or tongs to fish it out if it is lodged in the toilet bowl. If it's out of sight, using a plunger to fix the problem is generally not recommended.
Bring out the wet/dry vacuum
If your object is still in the murky toilet depths, it is time to pull out the big guns–the shop vac or wet/dry vacuum. After using the vacuum to suck out the water in the toilet bowl, stick the nozzle down the drain and use rags around it to create a seal. Then, turn the vacuum on.
#1: Standard Waste Clogs
The most common cause of toilet backing up is basic human waste. When mishandled, waste and toilet paper will clog the main drain of a toilet. In most cases, this type of clog clears well with a plunger.
Diapers, sanitary napkins, tampons, photo chemicals, cleaners, garbage and toys that find their way into building toilets and drains risk clogging the toilet and pipes, causing toilets to back up.
Costs Associated With Unclogging A Toilet
Toilet unclogging projects can range anywhere from $85-$600, depending upon the overall extent of the clog. Basic cleanouts will only cost around $80-$150, but serious clogs may require more sophisticated drain cleaning technology that increases the average costs to $150-$300.
Generally speaking, the answer is no, you cannot dissolve plastic toys that found their way into your toilet bowl. You can instead loosen the area around them to get the toys back up or send them down, but you will not fully dissolve them.
First, try using a plunger to see if gentle pressure is enough to bring the object into view. Sometimes, a larger object won't make it all the way down the waste pipe; using a plunger may break it free and bring it to the surface. If a plunger didn't work, you could try using a bent wire hanger.
Mix one cup of baking soda and vinegar, each near the source of the toilet clog and allow the reaction to take place. The bubbles created by the response will break down the clog. Give the baking soda mixture about 30 minutes to do its job, then follow it up with boiling water.
Things You Should Know
Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water. Spray the item with disinfecting spray or a sanitizing wipe, washing all its exposed parts. Saturate a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol, and use it to wipe down the item. Or, boil sturdier, waterproof items in a pot.
The sewerage system pumps the sewage to a treatment plant where it is processed and treated to remove any contaminants. Once treated, the resulting effluent is released back out into waterways, where it continues its journey through the water cycle.
There are a few animals that are known for crawling out of toilets, but the most common ones are snakes, frogs, and rodents. Of these, snakes are by far the most likely to appear. This is because they're good swimmers and often end up in toilets after entering homes through the sewer system.
Myth: Wipes can be flushed, as long as you flush them one at a time. Fact: Even one wipe can cause a blockage. Wipes and other debris can clump together to create a large ball. This ball has the potential to become lodged somewhere in the pipes.
Labour Costs and Timescales
As a general rule, plumbers tend to charge a daily rate of around £150-£200. When it comes to minor toilet unblocking or small toilet repairs, these can usually be completed within 30 minutes and will usually cost around £60. This is the average call-out price for most plumbers in the UK.
Yes, a toilet can unclog itself over time, but it depends on what is causing the blockage. If the clog is made up of water-soluble materials, like toilet paper or fecal matter, then eventually they will begin dissolving if you give them enough time.
You cannot plunge a toilet that is empty, so if there is no standing water, use a cup to fill the toilet with water from your sink. If the toilet is empty, take the opportunity to use hot (but not boiling) water, as high temperatures can help clear clogs.
What to Do If You Flush Facial Tissue or Paper Towels. If you do it once, it shouldn't cause any problems. However, if you have a habit of flushing these items down the toilet, you should watch for signs of trouble. If your toilet stops flushing properly, you might have a clog from paper towels or facial tissue.
For best results, start by squirting a little dish soap into your drain, followed by a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda. Wait five minutes or so, for the chemical reaction of the vinegar and baking soda to take effect, then chase that with a cup or more of boiling water.
Flushing the wrong things down the toilet can:
Clog your toilet or pipes and cause a sewage backup into your home or building. Cause sewer blockages that result in sewage flowing into a street or the environment. Harm people, fish, or wildlife. Damage the sewer system and wastewater treatment plant.
This can lead to blockages forming in your home drainage system, and in some cases, can create large fatbergs which can cause issues on a bigger scale and can affect multiple properties. It can also cause damage to the physical structure of drains, and may lead to drain and sewer flooding.
The most common causes for a slow-draining toilet are: A clog in the drain line. A blockage between the tank and bowl. Poor or Clogged Venting.