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Summer Vacation Survival Guide: Protecting Your Plumbing From Your Kids 

Summer vacation is finally here. The backpacks are tossed aside, the snacks disappear faster than ever, and suddenly your home is full-time mission control for bored, creative children. And while most parents are focused on keeping their kids safe during summer break, there’s another victim that often gets overlooked: 

Your plumbing. 

At Robins Plumbing, we speak homeowner, and as parents ourselves, we completely understand how quickly children can turn an ordinary bathroom into a plumbing emergency. No parent can supervise every second of every day, especially during summer vacation. That’s why we wanted to update this fun homeowner guide with real-world plumbing tips that can help prevent expensive repairs, overflowing toilets, clogged drains, and emergency calls. 

If your kids are home all summer, this blog is for you. 

 

Why Plumbing Problems Increase During Summer Break 

When kids are home more often, your plumbing works harder: 

• Toilets get flushed more often 

• Showers run longer 

• More snacks mean more garbage disposal use 

• More outdoor play means more dirt, rocks, and debris entering drains 

• Curious little hands find creative new ways to “experiment” with plumbing fixtures 

In Phoenix homes, where hard water is already tough on plumbing systems, additional wear and tear during summer can quickly turn small issues into larger problems. 

 

The #1 Summer Plumbing Enemy: The Toilet 

Let’s be honest. Children love flushing things they absolutely should not flush. 

Over the years, we’ve seen: 

• Toys 

• Toothbrushes 

• Washcloths 

• Makeup 

• Hot Wheels cars 

• Barbie accessories 

• Entire rolls of toilet paper 

• The cardboard tube from toilet paper rolls 

• Small dinosaurs 

• Action figures 

• Socks 

• Even remote controls 

And yes… sometimes the object disappears without anyone admitting what happened. The problem is that toilets are only designed to flush: 

• Human waste 

• Toilet paper 

That’s it. Everything else can create stoppages deep inside the toilet or drain system. 

 

Keep Toilet Paper Out of Reach 

This sounds silly until it happens to you. Children love unraveling entire rolls of toilet paper and attempting to flush them all at once. Unfortunately, toilet paper expands when wet and can create massive blockages. We also regularly see spring-loaded toilet paper holders flushed accidentally. In many cases, the metal spring expands inside the toilet trapway and the toilet must be replaced because the object cannot be removed. 

Simple prevention tips: 

• Store extra toilet paper higher up 

• Avoid decorative items near the toilet that can fall in 

• Consider using wall-mounted holders that are harder to remove 

• Teach kids early what can and cannot be flushed 

 

Toothbrushes and Toilets Do Not Mix 

Why do children flush toothbrushes? We may never know. But it happens constantly. One moment they’re brushing their teeth. The next moment there’s laughter, an overflowing toilet, and somehow the toothbrush has vanished. Toothbrushes are especially problematic because they often lodge deep inside the toilet trap way where plungers cannot remove them. 

A few simple habits can help: 

• Keep toothbrushes in drawers or medicine cabinets 

• Supervise younger children during bedtime routines 

• Make brushing teeth a shared family routine when possible 

 

Consider a Toilet Seat Lock for Toddlers 

If you have toddlers, toilet seat locks can be lifesavers. 

These simple devices help prevent: 

• Toys being flushed 

• Entire shampoo bottles entering the toilet 

• Accidental overflows 

• Curious toddlers exploring the water 

Of course, the lid has to actually stay closed for the lock to work, which may require cooperation from everyone in the household. 

Good luck with that part. 

 

Kids Love Putting Things Into Drains 

It’s not personal. Kids simply love putting objects into holes. 

We’ve seen: 

• Toothpaste caps 

• Small toys 

• Jewelry 

• Rocks 

• Slime 

• Hair accessories 

• Bath toys 

• Soap chunks 

• Coins 

Tub drains are especially vulnerable because many older drains have removable stoppers that allow easy access to the drain opening. 

At Robins Plumbing, we often recommend upgrading older tub drains to: 

• Push-pull drains 

• Twist-and-turn drains 

• Child-resistant drain covers 

These options reduce the chances of larger objects entering the drain system. 

 

Watch the Garbage Disposal During Summer 

Summer means: 

• More snacks 

• More cooking 

• More kids helping in the kitchen 

• More things accidentally shoved into the garbage disposal 

Garbage disposals are not designed for: 

• Popsicle sticks 

• Corn husks 

• Watermelon rinds 

• Pasta 

• Grease 

• Fruit pits 

• Plastic wrappers 

And definitely not toy dinosaurs. 

Teach children that the garbage disposal is not a “food vacuum.” Running plenty of cold water during disposal use also helps protect the system. 

 

Outdoor Summer Fun Can Affect Your Plumbing Too 

Summer play outside often leads to plumbing problems inside. 

Common issues include: 

• Mud and rocks washed into shower drains 

• Hose bibbs left dripping 

• Sprinklers damaged during play 

• Toys left near irrigation equipment 

• Pool and hose misuse causing water waste 

Phoenix summers already put stress on plumbing systems due to extreme heat. Small leaks and dripping hose bibbs can become larger problems quickly. 

 

A Simple Summer Plumbing Checklist for Parents 

Here are a few easy ways to protect your plumbing this summer: 

Bathroom Safety Tips 

• Keep toilet paper and toothbrushes out of reach 

• Teach children what cannot be flushed 

• Use drain covers 

• Consider toilet seat locks for toddlers 

Kitchen Plumbing Tips 

• Monitor garbage disposal use 

• Avoid grease down drains 

• Keep fibrous foods out of disposals 

Outdoor Plumbing Tips 

• Check hose bibbs for leaks 

• Don’t leave hoses running unattended 

• Watch irrigation systems for damage 

Whole Home Protection 

• Know where your main water shutoff valve is 

• Test shutoff valves annually 

• Consider leak detection devices for added protection 

 

When It’s Time to Call a Plumber 

Sometimes even the best prevention cannot stop a plumbing emergency. 

If you notice: 

• A toilet overflowing 

• Drains backing up 

• Gurgling sounds 

• Slow drainage 

• Water leaking around fixtures 

• Repeated clogs 

…it’s time to call a professional before the problem gets worse. 

At Robins Plumbing, we provide a higher level of service by helping homeowners understand what caused the issue, how to prevent it, and how to protect their plumbing long term. We proudly serve homeowners throughout the Phoenix area including: 

• Phoenix 

• Glendale 

• Peoria 

• Scottsdale 

• Chandler 

• Mesa 

• Surprise 

• Gilbert 

• And surrounding communities 

 

Summer Memories Are Better Without Plumbing Emergencies 

Summer vacation should be filled with family memories — not emergency plumbing calls and overflowing toilets. A few simple preventative steps can save you from major headaches, expensive repairs, and water damage during the busiest kid-season of the year. And if your little one does manage to flush something “impossible” down the toilet? Don’t worry.  We’ve probably seen worse. 

FAQ Section 

Why do kids clog toilets so often? 

Children often flush toys, excessive toilet paper, toothbrushes, and other objects that toilets are not designed to handle. 

Can flushing toys damage a toilet permanently? 

Yes. Some objects can become lodged deep inside the toilet trapway and may require toilet removal or replacement. 

What should never go down a garbage disposal? 

Grease, pasta, fibrous foods, fruit pits, bones, and non-food objects should never enter a garbage disposal. 

Are toilet seat locks worth it? 

For toddlers, toilet seat locks can help prevent accidental flushing of toys and reduce overflow risks. 

How can I protect my plumbing during summer break? 

Teach children what can and cannot go down drains, use drain covers, monitor garbage disposal use, and address plumbing issues early before they worsen.