Potty training isn't easy, especially for your home'splumbing system. If your tot is ready to make this major transition, take alook at the toilet, sink and other bathroom issues that you need to know about.
Toilet Paper Trouble
Your toddler isn't just learning how to read and interpretthe signs that they need to go. The potty training-ready tot is also ready topractice how to use the toilet and everything that comes with it.
While you understand that filling the bowl with a whole rollof toilet paper is a clog-maker, your toddler doesn't. Unfurling the longstrands of TP is a fun game for many young children. Not only can this unwantedactivity leave your bathroom a mess, but it can also create clogs if your childthrows the paper into the toilet.
Flushing thick or excessive quantities of toilet paper canlead to more than just a clog in the commode. As the paper makes its way downthe drain, it can also clog your sewer line. If this happens, a plunger isn'tlikely to completely clear the clog. Instead, contact a professional plumber toinspect the drain and remove the paper.
Other Object Issues
Toilet paper isn't the only thing that goes down the toiletduring your toddler's potty-training time. Parents often use targets, such ascereal O's or other small floating objects, to help little boys to aim. Theseitems aren't flushable and can quickly cause serious clogs.
Likewise, toys and other small objects that your tot tossesinto the toilet can cause backups. While fishing out these items immediately isideal, that isn't always possible. If your tot flushes before you can grab thetoy (or another object), you may need a plumber to find and remove the clog —especially if the item works its way into the main drain line.
Sink Backups
Along with using the toilet, you also need to teach yourchild how to properly wash their hands as part of a healthy and clean routine.And like the toilet, the sink can also backup due to clogs. A child who putstoilet paper, paper towels, or gobs of sticky soap down the drain can causeyour sink to stop working.
A plunger can effectively remove small-sized clogs from abathroom sink. But larger, or stubborn, clogs require professionalintervention. If your plunging attempts fail, you may need the plumber to snakethe sink. Even though you can purchase your own snake, you need to know how touse it correctly. Failure to do so can result in harm to yourself or yourpipes.
Sink Safety
Sometimes it's not your plumbing that's at risk during thepotty-training time. While your child needs warm water to wash their hands, atoo-high temperature can cause scalding. According to the Burn Foundation,children under age five are most at risk for scald burns. Seventeen percent ofscald burns in children come from tap water that is too hot.
What can you do to reduce the risks of scald burns? Hot tapwater should never exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. At 133 degrees Fahrenheit,the sink's stream can burn your child within 15 seconds. Prevent burns byalways supervising your child.
Along with watching your tot when they use the sink, adjustyour hot water heater's thermostat to a lower temperature. If you're not surehow to do this, ask the plumber to do this during routine service. You can alsoinstall an anti-scald device on the bathroom faucets.
Do you need a plumber to unclog a stubborn backup?Contact
Aurora Plumbing and Electric Supply, Inc. for more information.
