toy stuck in toilet - child playing with toilet

Is Your Child’s Toy Stuck in the Toilet? 2 Easy Ways to Remove it!

ByDino Pelle

Let me guess. Your toilet has something stuck in it and it just so happens that your child’s new toy has gone missing.

You may be wondering how something like a small toy could clog a toilet.

Unlike toilet paper, toys don’t break down and dissolve. This makes them problematic for any plumbing system. Flushing a toy down the toilet is like flushing any small, hard object. They can get stuck and cause serious damage to your plumbing system.

Signs of a Toy Stuck in Toilet

If the fourth sign below occurs with any of the first three signs, it’s a sure bet that you have a toy stuck in your toilet. 😉

  1. Gurgling sounds coming from your plumbing system
  2. Water backing up or overflowing from your toilet
  3. The smell of raw sewage coming from your drains 
  4. You caught your child at the scene of the crime
Toilet overflowing
An overflowing toilet is just one of 3 or 4 signs that an obstruction has been caused by a toy.

How Not to Remove Toy Stuck in Toilet

Before you do anything, it’s important to know what not to do.

Your first instinct will be to use a plunger, but don’t do it. Using a plunger is the worst thing you can do in this situation. Plunging will push the toy further down the waste pipe. And this will make it more difficult for you to unclog.

how to use a plunger - plunger toilet diagram
Unfortunately, a plunger will only push the toys further down the toilet drain. That’s why you should never use a plunger to remove a toy.

The Correct Ways to Remove Toy Stuck in Toilet

The longer a flushed toy sits in your pipes, the more likely it is that the stuck toy will get clogged and cause further damage to your toilet. Although you need to remove it as soon as possible, don’t panic. Here are 2 methods for removing the troublesome toy.

1. Remove the Toy Using a Drain Auger

  1. Begin by grabbing a pair of rubber gloves, preferably a pair that goes up to your elbows.
  2. Manually remove as much water as possible from the toilet. You can do this with a shop vac or by scooping out cups of toilet water and dumping it into a bucket. Remove as much water as possible. This will make the process of removing the toy easier and more sanitary.
  3. Use an adjustable wrench to remove the bolts holding the toilet bowl in place.
  4. Lift the toilet bowl straight up and move it out of the way. We recommend placing a thick towel in your bathtub, then gently placing the toilet onto the towel. This will prevent chipping and keep any remaining water in the toilet from spilling onto your floors.
  5. Insert the drain auger (also called a closet auger) into the toilet drain opening. Push the plumber’s snake down the drain until you feel resistance.
  6. Rotate the handle clockwise so the hooks attach themselves to the toy. You’ll know when the toy has been “grabbed” by the increased resistance on the snake. Don’t give up if this doesn’t work. It may take a few tries.
  7. Retrieve the toy and plumber’s snake from drain.
  8. Replace the toilet bowl.
toy stuck in toilet - remove toys with closet auger
A drain (or closet) auger is the correct tool to use to remove a snake. You’ll need to twist the auger as you insert it so that it latches onto the toy. Once it grabs on, you can retrieve the toy. You “might” be able to do this without removing the toilet bowl if it is still lodged inside the toilet. However, if it has lodged further down the drain, you’ll need to remove the toilet bowl first.

2. Remove the Toy with Your Hands

I know, you probably hate the idea of having to place your hands in the toilet. But this manual method will prevent damage to your plumbing. Most of the steps are like the above method until you get to #5.

  1. Begin by grabbing a pair of rubber gloves, preferably a pair that goes up to your elbows.
  2. Manually remove as much water as possible from the toilet. You can do this with a shop vac or by scooping out cups of toilet water and dumping it into a bucket. Remove as much water as possible. This will make the process of removing the toy easier and more sanitary.
  3. Use an adjustable wrench to remove the bolts holding the toilet bowl in place.
  4. Lift the toilet bowl straight up and move it out of the way. We recommend placing a thick towel in your bathtub, then gently placing the toilet onto the towel. This will prevent chipping and keep any remaining water in the toilet from spilling onto your floors.
  5. Put your hand down the toilet drain and scoop out the toy.
  6. Reattach the toilet bowl after removing the toy.
toy stuck in toilet - remove bowl and insert hand in drain
After the toilet bowl has been unbolted from the floor and removed, you will have full access to the toilet drain. You can try placing a gloved hand into the drain to see if you can reach and remove it.

Resources

Final Thoughts

Those little rascals of ours can cause lots of damage for being so cute. But what 2-year-old doesn’t like throwing toys down a toilet? It’s to be expected.

The good news is that you now know how to remove a toy stuck in your toilet. And even if you find it a bit too daunting, you can always call a trusted local plumber to help you out.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

If these methods for unclogging a toy stuck in your toilet don’t work, contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237).

1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain, or water damage problem, including excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.

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