When kids start milling around the house, you already know that this is a recipe for trouble! You’ve probably seen it on television and movies, heard horror stories from friends, or been that child who would destroy everything in your path.
While their mistakes can be cute and hilarious at times, there is no doubt that some errors can be costly—even to the point where you will need to call in professional help fix what’s broken! These are just some things you will have to face as a parent, and it will likely be some of the most costly concerns about raising children.
Child-Proofing Your Toilet
One of the most common things that pique the interest of toddlers and children is the toilet. The way a button can be pressed and see the items inside magically disappear is mind-blowing to a toddler. This mystery means that random things are likely to be dropped into the toilet and flushed, causing blockages and problems with plumbing!
To help you out, here’s a basic guide on what to do to prevent further damage from your drainage system.
Keep The Bathroom Door and Toilet Lid Closed
If your child is small enough, you may be able to get away with closing the door to all bathrooms after use. The doorknobs may be too high for them to access or too tense for them to twist and turn. If your child is smart enough or old enough to reach and turn the doorknob, you can also use a doorknob sleeve to make it a bit more difficult to open the door.
Otherwise, you should consider a child toilet seat latch to prevent them from opening the toilet seat instead. This way, you can still have access to the bathroom, with a minor form of protection from your child flushing their toys down the toilet.
Shut Off the Toilet’s Water Line
If your child can still access the toilet or the toilet seat latches are not available, consider manually shutting off the unit when not in use. This can be done by turning the water valve off at the bottom of the toilet or removing the chain from the flush lever by accessing the water tank at the back of the unit.
What to Do When There’s a Blockage in Your Toilet Drain Line
Toilet drain lines are only meant to be carrying liquids and small forms of waste. Even softer items like sanitary napkins and toilet paper have issues when it comes to being flushed down.
Unfortunately, children typically do not know this! As cool as the idea of an action figure or a stuffed animal magically disappearing in a whirlpool is, this isn’t great for the removal job afterward.
When removing blockages from the toilet, there are a few methods you can use depending on what has been flushed. If you suspect toilet paper as the cause, a simple plunger can push it far enough to dislodge it from blocking the line. If this fails to do anything, the object may likely be more massive and more robust than you think.
Seeing a toy’s head or tail peeking out means the object can be fished out easily—albeit the action is quite disgusting. Otherwise, some toys may be smaller—or not as buoyant—and have been shot further into the pipes. Should the blockages persist, contact the assistance of a professional, as these plumbing issues can be fixed easily.
If you are in North Carolina, Plumber Charlotte NC is where you can find the best plumbers in Charlotte and are readily available to assist you with our 24-hour emergency plumbing services.
The Bottom Line
Child-proofing your toilet can only help to a certain extent. Although you may be able to secure your toilet, there’s no 100% foolproof way that would prevent your child from wreaking havoc.
In such instances, emergency plumbing services will be able to assist you with more severe blockages and potential pipe problems. If you are unsure, leave it to the professionals for the best results!
Are you looking for tips and tricks to help you with basic plumbing repairs in Charlotte, NC? At Plumber Charlotte NC, we provide you with numerous tips, tricks, and guides to help you run through any basic plumbing concern. Visit our website today and secure your home’s plumbing with the best advice from some of the best plumbers in Charlotte.
