Easy Steps to Retrieve Items Flushed in the Toilet

Know How To Recover Flushed Items

Accidents are inevitable. It's not uncommon for people to accidentally drop things into the toilet. Perhaps you were in a hurry. Your kid was probably playing around near the toilet and dropped one of his toys. Either way, these items could get your toilets clogged. 

One sign of a clogged toilet is when it appears to be draining slowly. If toilet water seems to overflow upon flushing, that's another sign that it could be clogged.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to unclog the toilet drain by yourself.

Step 1

Turn off the toilet's water supply. There is a shut-off valve behind the toilet or on the wall nearby. You turn it clockwise until it's tightened. Empty the toilet bowl and tank by scooping out the water using a small container. Don't forget to wear a pair of gloves.

Step 2

Try to reach out to the trap opening within the bowl. If the item is stuck in that area, you might be lucky enough to reach it and pull it out easily. However, if that's not the case, you need to do the next step.

Step 3

Get a drain or closet auger and insert it into the opening. Push it firmly against the clog while rotating the handle clockwise.

As the auger spins, it captures the clogged object. If it becomes difficult to rotate the handle, try turning it counter clockwise for a short while then resume rotating it clockwise. Once the auger got the clogged item, you can turn it counter clockwise to release the object. 

If the auger wasn’t able to get the item, you should proceed to the next step.

Step 4

You might need to remove the bowl. Get a flat screwdriver or putty knife to remove the plastic caps that are covering the bolts. You can unscrew the bolts with an adjustable wrench. Slowly lift the toilet bowl. Check the drain for the stuck item.

Step 5

At this point, you can also check the drainpipe going through the floor. Get your drain auger and insert it to the pipe. Rotate the handle clockwise until it captures the item. 

Step 6

Once you have the item, get a rag to put into the drainpipe and block sewer odour. Find a sewer line cleanout plug and attach it to the drain. Catch the wastewater by placing a bucket on the other end. 

Empty the bucket somewhere outside and continue the procedure until the wastewater has seeped out. You can slowly loosen the cleanout plug by rotating it counter clockwise using a wrench.

Step 7

Once the cleanout plug is out, you can insert the drain auger again to see any more items stuck in the drain. You can continue to rotate the handle clockwise until you're sure the pipe is clear.

In Worst-case Scenarios

The steps mentioned are simple, doable procedures you can do by yourself at home. However, if the clogging persists or something else went wrong, you should call an expert plumber in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle. 

Jet Blaster Man is the leading plumbing contractor in Newcastle and  Lake Macquarie, known for their years of experience and expertise. With the help of fully licensed plumbers like Jet Blaster Man, you can save yourself from all the hassle of a clogged toilet.