I have a stopped up toilet, actually two. I want to try the Dawn detergent solution. My problem, one toilet backed up so I turned off the water to the toilet, then the second toilet backed up and I turned off that water (they both overflowed).
Until I could get the plumber out my kids used both toilets, one of them extensively. How do I get clear the bowls before adding the detergent? Do I need to bail them out and then add the Dawn? When do I turn on the water, before this or after?
The plumber is coming tomorrow to check for roots because this has been an ongoing problem with #1 toilet. I'm embarrassed about the full bowl in the second toilet. Please help.
By AWB from Memphis, TN
Plumbers have seen worse. For heavens sake, don't stress over what will be gone in 90 seconds! What you are embarrassed about is a normal bodily function. (02/15/2010)
Get a plunger, forget the plumber until you try to unclog the thing. The best plungers I've found are the ones with the 'accordion type thing' at the base. They are very easy to use, don't require a lot of strength to do it and work great. A few quick plunges and your problem may be solved! And NEVER ever pour warm or hot water into your toilet. It melts the wax seal that is under the toilet base. (Experience talking here.) ;/ (02/15/2010)
Fill a bucket with water. Squirt about 3 teaspoons of Dish soap into the toilet, leave it to sit for a few minutes, then pour in the water. The mess should start going down right away. Don't keep pouring if it looks like it might overflow, of course.
Dish soap really works, better than anything I've ever tried. Just pour it right in with whatever's in there, it will sink to the bottom.
I think that using a bucket for this first flush is a great idea because if your kids (or roots) have it totally clogged, this way you won't overflow like you might if you turned on the water and flushed it in the regular way. (02/16/2010)
By Jeneene
This is unbelievable! We were ready to call Roto Rooter and spend at least $600 (their estimate). We tried this instead and it worked like a charm. Thanks so very much from me and my wallet! (05/10/2010)
By Cathy
This is beyond amazing. Last night my sister and I began to work on unclogging the toilet. It had become clogged with paper towels used for doggy toilet paper. We were up through the night plunging, using a rotor rooter, calling plumbers and anyone with advice on the matter.
My sister suggested that we search the Internet for toilet and paper towels. We did and immediately this site was the 1st to come up. We read the post on dish soap and hot water. We boiled a tea kettle and a large pot of water. We decided to remove as much water as we could into the toilet in another bathroom. We put 1/2 a cup of Palmolive scrub buster beads (we used what we had) in the toilet. 5 minutes later we poured in the boiled water, about a gallon. We waited exactly 30min. My sister plunged 3-5x and hallelujah the water began to flow.
The bathroom smells wonderful because of all the soap. We were beyond excited and did a happy dance. I immediately joined this website and look forward to the many thrifty ways to save. (06/11/2010)
By Venus
Seriously, this is the greatest, greatest tip ever. I live in my boss's home so having to confess to having a plugged toilet would have been mortifying! I've never been so happy to see a clear watered toilet. (06/14/2010)
By maria
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