A Toddler Flushed a Toy Car Down My Toilet

A Hot Wheels, a toddler, and a very blocked toilet

A family in Freshwater called me last week in a panic. Their toddler had flushed a toy car down the toilet. Dad had spent an hour with a plunger — nothing. Then he tried a chemical. The car was wedged tight in the S-bend of the porcelain trap.

"I've tried everything," he said. "I don't want to call anyone but I'm out of ideas."

I pulled the toilet — that's a pull and reset — and fished the car out of the trap with a closet auger. Twenty minutes start to finish. New wax seal, toilet back down, job done. No chemicals, no damage, no drama.

What to try before you call me

• Stop flushing immediately — every flush adds water and makes the mess worse
• Use a flange plunger (the one with a rubber flap inside) — push gently then pull up sharply, repeat 10-15 times
• Pour dish soap and hot (not boiling) water into the bowl, wait 15 minutes, then plunge again
• Try a toilet auger (closet auger) — it reaches into the S-bend where a plunger can't
• Never use chemical drain cleaners — they generate heat that can crack the porcelain or melt the wax seal

When you need to call a plumber

• The toilet is overflowing and you can't stop the water flow
• You've tried plunging, hot water, and an auger with no luck
• Other fixtures like the shower or sink are backing up too — that's a main line issue
• Your toilet keeps blocking every few weeks — there's something deeper going on
• You know something solid went down that needs to be retrieved

In Freshwater and the family suburbs, we see a lot of toy-flushing incidents. In Manly, where some of the older bathrooms have narrow S-traps, even a normal amount of toilet paper can cause a blockage. Different toilets, same rule: if you can't clear it in 15 minutes, call a blocked drain service.

The honest truth

A blocked toilet is stressful, but it's usually a quick fix. I'll be there fast, clear the blockage, and give you a fixed price before I start. If I need to pull the toilet, I'll tell you exactly what it costs. No pressure, no hidden fees, no mess left behind.

Toilet still blocked?

I'll send a plumber to clear it fast. Upfront pricing, same-day service across the Northern Beaches.

Book a service 1300 758 623

Frequently asked questions

Can I use chemical drain cleaner in a blocked toilet?

No. Chemical drain cleaners are not designed for toilets. They generate heat that can crack the porcelain or damage the wax seal, and they rarely clear toilet blockages because the standing water dilutes the chemicals before they reach the clog.

Why does my toilet keep blocking?

Recurring toilet blockages usually indicate a partial obstruction deeper in the waste pipe — a buildup of scale, a protruding pipe joint, or tree root intrusion. It could also be too much toilet paper being flushed, or non-flushable wipes. A CCTV inspection will identify the root cause.

Is a blocked toilet an emergency?

It depends. If the toilet is overflowing or sewage is backing up into other fixtures, yes — call an emergency plumber immediately. If it is simply not flushing but not overflowing, you can wait until business hours, but avoid using it until it is cleared.

How much does it cost to unblock a toilet on the Northern Beaches?

Most standard toilet unblocking costs $150-300 during business hours. If the blockage is in the main sewer line rather than the toilet itself, the cost is higher because CCTV and jetting are needed. We provide upfront quotes before any work.

A Toddler Flushed a Toy Car Down My Toilet — Here's How I Fixed It