What to Do When You Accidentally Drop Something Down the Toilet

There is a myriad of things you should never flush down your toilet, or you will be facing the possibility of a clogged toilet that has been and always will be a nightmare for any homeowner. However, accidents do happen and you still could end up with a clogged toilet. Maybe you’re texting or Facebooking on your smartphone while doing your business, and your smartphone slipped from your hands and dropped straight down into the toilet. Or, you may have children whose idea of fun is dunking their toys or other things you should never flush down your toilet.

When a clogged toilet happens, you need not panic. Take comfort in the fact that there is still something you can do to unclog your toilet. Here are some do-it-yourself steps you need to take when you accidentally drop into it things you should never flush down your toilet.

Use a Plunger to Unclog your Toilet

A plunger is easily your first line of defense when it comes to a clogged toilet, so always have a good-quality plunger at the ready at all times. However, don’t just go pumping the plunger up vigorously to unclog your toilet. Start by gently pushing the plunger down, and then pop it up quickly. The reason for this is because that thing you dropped may still be at the entry point of the narrow channel that leads into the sewage system. Popping it up quickly is more likely to pull that clog-free, which would allow it to be flushed normally down the sewage system and unclog your toilet in the process.

Unclog your Toilet with a Drain Snake

If a plunger does not work, you can unclog your toilet with a drain snake. Available at any hardware store, a drain snake is a tool that you can push into a clogged toilet and crank to drive it closer to the obstruction. The clog could break up and properly flush down the drain, or the snake can help you pull out whatever it is that you dropped and is causing the clogged toilet.

Lift the Clogged Toilet Up

Should a drain snake fail to unclog your toilet, there is one more step you can do, but this one is going to require some skill and the strength to lift a few dozen pounds while in a bent-over position. You can lift up the clogged toilet and get to the obstruction more directly. If you do this, you will have to turn off the water supply and unscrew its mounting ring. After you unclog your toilet, put it back in place using new mounting bolts. It is also recommended that you use a new wax ring to make sure the toilet bowl is properly resealed to the mounting ring.

If none of the above works to unclog your toilet, that would be the time to call in a professional plumber, because the problem may be laying in the drainpipes. We at BeezNeez Plumbing have a team of skilled and experienced plumbers who have the right tools and equipment for dealing with a clogged toilet, among many other plumbing emergencies. Give us a call at 0438 800 711 if you’re having a hard time dealing with a clogged toilet, and we’ll send help straight away.