How Do You Know You Have A Problem?
Before you can address a tennis ball clog, you first have to know it was flushed, and young children are not apt to readily volunteer this information. Here are some tips on recognizing you have a problem.
Noises
You will suspect you have a problem if you attempt to flush the toilet and a loud gurgling sound is emitted. Gurgling sounds usually indicate a blocked drainpipe or an issue with the plumbing ventilation.
Leaks
A severely clogged toilet will not allow wastewater to pass, so when you flush the toilet holding the tennis ball, the water from the bowl has nowhere to go. This often leads to water leaks at the toilet base, so be watchful of wet areas on the floor.
Low Water Levels
A blocked toilet can easily overflow, but the blockage can sometimes siphon water out of the bowl, leaving a lower-than-normal water level. If a low water level is combined with any other signs listed here, suspect the missing tennis ball is down the drain!
Overflow Is A Serious Side Effect
With nowhere for the wastewater to go, it may reverse direction and overflow onto the floor surrounding the toilet. Assuming the bowl contained waste material, this can be an unsanitary event you will wish you could avoid.
Shut Off The Water
An overflowing toilet should cause you to run to the shutoff valve to stop incoming water from adding to the disaster. If the valve is stuck and you cannot turn off the water, open the toilet tank lid and lift the float to stop incoming water.
Health Risks
An overflowing toilet is dangerous because any residue from cleaning supplies or the raw sewage inside the bowl can be harmful to touch or even breathe, so strict precautions should be taken to prevent splashing and inhaling fumes.
What You Can Do
Although it is wise to call in a professional to fix this issue, you may want to try a few DIY remedies while you are waiting for the service technician to arrive. A lack of experience can actually turn your tennis ball disaster into a bigger problem, so advance carefully and avoid any aggressive solutions.
Plunge
We are assuming you cannot see the tennis ball. Get a toilet plunger, also known as a flange plunger, and gently work the plunger in an attempt to remove the ball. This may send the ball further down the drain, where other fixtures in the home may begin to empty slowly, so be cautious.
Snake
If you are unsuccessful in retrieving or freeing the tennis ball, you can try a drain snake. A snake with a hook at the end is best for this type of clog, but again, snaking can force the tennis ball further down into the drainage system, causing more reasons for alarm.
Prevention
Once the tennis ball is removed, you will want to be certain children can not flush any other toys or play in the toilet. Here are the recommendations we make to our customers.
Lock The Bathroom Door
Although this is an obvious solution, it is one frequently overlooked. Install childproof door locks and keep your toilet and your children safe.
Install A Toilet Lever Lock
The toilet lever is the handle you depress to flush the toilet. There are now locks available that prevent users, and those who like to play, from flushing the toilet.
Install A Lid Lock
Another option is to install a lock on the toilet lid. This keeps little hands out of the toilet bowl and parental minds at rest.
Looking To Remove A Tennis Ball (Or Any Foreign Object) From Your Toilet and Protect Your Children From Future Escapades?
We are the plumber area residents rely on for all their plumbing needs including removing foreign objects that their curious children accidentally flushed. We are fast responders with the expertise and knowledge to remove items without creating additional damage to your toilet or your plumbing system. Call us when you need help clearing toys and tennis balls from your toilet drain.
