5 Tips for Toddler and Plumbing Safety

April 24, 2018

A toddler's desire to explore can cause problems in bathrooms. Use these tips to safeguard your toddler and your home's plumbing system.

Playful Baby in a Toilet — Meridian, MS — Roto-Rooter Plumbers

Being the parent of a toddler doesn't come with a detailed manual. Fortunately, there are detailed tips for safeguarding your toddler and the plumbing system when it comes to bathroom time. Toddlers are eager to discover how things work, and sometimes this might mean toys and massive amounts of toilet paper flushed down the toilet leading to an inevitable clog.

If your child's recent discovery of the bathroom has them in awe, learn how you can promote safety.

1. Discuss Toilet Rules

Toddlers learn based on the information they receive. A child that doesn't know the dangers of flushing toys down the toilet can't be expected not to engage in this type of dangerous behavior. Parents need to sit down and have a toilet rule discussion with their toddler.

Talk about what items should never be placed in the toilet and tell your child what could potentially happen when they don't abide by these rules. If your child can easily follow rules in other areas of the house, toilet rules should be easy.

2. Install Drain Covers

Poor toilet habits aren't the only pathway to a clog. Putting the wrong items in the sink and allowing them to go down the drain is just as troublesome. If your child forces toys, cotton balls, large wads of paper, and food down the drain, these items will settle inside the pipe and create an obstruction.

Avoid a clog by installing drain covers in the bathtub and sink to prevent large items from flowing down the drain.

3. Install Lid Locks

Toilet lid locks are an excellent investment for parents of a toddler. Locking systems work by keeping the lid of the toilet in a closed position with a child-proof lock that must be disengaged to open the lid. When the lid lock is engaged after every use, they make the toilet bowl inaccessible to your child, which can go a long way in preventing a clog caused by flushing problem items.

If you don't want to bother with disengaging the lock, install a child lock on the bathroom door. A door lock is more effective as it can help protect the child from other dangers in the bathroom, such as turning on the water in the tub when an adult isn't around.

4. Detach the Toilet Chain

If the child has mastered the process of disengaging the child locks, you can take a more aggressive action to protect the toilet in the form of detaching the chain. The toilet chain is an important component of the overall flushing process. When the chain is detached, the toilet won't flush.

If your child has a bathroom in their bedroom, disconnect the chain at night to prevent the child from playing with the toilet when the rest of the family is asleep.

5. Repair Leaks

A plumbing leak in the bathroom is especially dangerous for children. Water leaks often lead to the development of mold. A small patch of mold in the corner that an adult might not see may catch the eyes of a toddler and cause them to explore.

Even if the child doesn't directly encounter the mold, the spores in the air are dangerous. All leaks need to be repaired promptly, including those outside the bathroom.

The above tips are all effective at protecting your toddler and your plumbing system, but things happen. If a toilet is clogged, a pipe is leaking, or there is some other mishap, don't fall victim to a costly DIY experiment that only makes matters worse. Call on a professional. At Roto-Rooter Plumbers, we're here to service your plumbing needs.

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Signs You Need Sewer Line System Cleaning | Laurel, MS

June 11, 2025

If you’re a homeowner, business owner, or property manager in Jones County, sewer line system cleaning in Laurel, MS , should be on your radar. Your sewer line plays a critical role in keeping your plumbing running smoothly. However, many residents overlook the early signs of trouble until it’s too late and costly repairs follow. Don’t wait until raw sewage backs up into your yard or home. Instead, learn how to identify the red flags and act fast to protect your property and your wallet. Spot the Red Flags Before It’s Too Late When it comes to plumbing, early detection is your best defense. Some of the most common warning signs that you may need sewer line system cleaning in Laurel, MS, include Slow-Draining Sinks and Tubs: If your water takes longer than usual to drain, a blockage could be forming deep in your sewer line. Foul Odors: Unpleasant smells coming from your drains may mean waste is not being carried away properly. Gurgling Toilets: Strange bubbling sounds after flushing are a sign of trapped air due to clogs or blockages. Frequent Backups: Repeated toilet or drain backups signal a serious obstruction that needs immediate attention. Ignoring these signs can lead to full pipe blockages, property damage, and even health hazards. For reliable sewer line cleaning in Laurel, MS, turn to the trusted team at Roto-Rooter Sewer and Septic Services . Why Early Detection and Cleaning Matter Waiting until your system fails can lead to expensive repairs or replacements. Sewer line system cleaning in Laurel, MS, helps maintain the integrity of your pipes and keeps your household safe from unsanitary conditions. At Roto-Rooter, we use advanced camera inspection tools to pinpoint problems without invasive digging. This technology allows our certified technicians to see exactly where and what the problem is so they can resolve it quickly and efficiently. Roto-Rooter: Your Local Sewer Line Experts Locally trusted and backed by decades of experience, Roto-Rooter Sewer-Drain Service is your go-to for professional sewer line system cleaning in Laurel, MS. We’re proud to serve the Laurel community with fast, friendly service that gets the job done right the first time. Our team is available 24/7 for emergencies and routine maintenance, and we use the latest technology to ensure accurate, efficient solutions. Whether you're dealing with a minor clog or a major blockage, we’re equipped to handle it all with expertise and care. How Camera Inspections Make Sewer Line Cleaning Smarter Modern diagnostic tools, like sewer camera inspections, have revolutionized how professionals detect and solve plumbing issues. Instead of relying on guesswork or invasive digging, technicians can now feed a waterproof camera into the sewer line to get a real-time, high-resolution view of what's happening inside your pipes. This allows for accurate identification of clogs, cracks, tree root intrusions, or buildup, pinpointing the problem's exact location. For homeowners in Laurel, this means quicker diagnoses, less disruption, and more effective sewer line system cleaning in Laurel, MS, ensuring your plumbing system gets the precise treatment it needs. If you’re noticing any warning signs, or if it’s been a while since your last inspection, don’t wait. Contact us to schedule your cleaning. Let us help you keep things flowing smoothly and avoid costly surprises down the road!