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- over 430,000 Posts - PlumbingForum.com -
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Author:
KeepOnTruckin (VA)
Hey all
I read somewhere that a guy clogged up his toilet (with solids, not paper) and, unable to find a plunger or snake, chucked in a bunch of alka-seltzer to clear it out and it worked. I ran my own test and it didn't seem to work. What do you all think?
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Author:
OldPete
Well, at least I know it isn't April 1st.
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Author:
KeepOnTruckin (VA)
Nah, i'm serious here. Would it really work?
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
dlh (TX)
why would it?
----------------------------
PLUMBERS "Protecting The Health Of The Nation"
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Author:
tnoisaw (MT)
It may make the toilet feel better after it was professionally cleared. Never heard of it and I don’t see how it would work.
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Author:
hj
If the toilet had acid indigestion it might work, but otherwise it is as effective as using magnets, magic wands, or clicking your heels together. But I suppose it would work if you "put two tablets in the toilet and called a plumber in the morning".
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
steve_g (CA)
It works every bit as well as eating a toilet to cure a queasy stomach.
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Author:
redwood (CT)
I find that standing in front of the toilet clicking my heels together and saying "there is no toilet like an unclogged toilet" works much better than alka-seltzer. Note: you have to be wearing the red shoes you picked up by the house that fell from the sky.
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Author:
Malak (CT)
Well, to add a "serious" reply...
I think most people use the wrong plunging technique.
I find it works much better to get a seal and then rapidly move the plunger up and down a VERY small amount. The trick is not to force the whole clog out but to merely use a lot of cycles to break the seal it has created. Try it! Works 95% of the time. Wait hours before trying it again if it does not, and then it's still got a chance. If you have the luxury of waiting overnight between attempts even better.
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Author:
Crash
^^^ Can you clarify that for me? You say you have never used a plunger?? Why not....as a plumber I have found my plunger to be one of the biggest money makers on my truck (a trap plunger works GREAT on plugged toilets, once plunger out it is easier to do a good job of augering)
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Author:
steve_g (CA)
That was an interesting video, I'll have to remember it for the next BBQ I go to. To clear a toilet, you would have to first fill it w/ diet coke (may be problematic if it's full to the brim), throw in the mentos & seal it quickly with a plunger.
It might work, but I think that it would lack, uh, professionalism?
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Author:
Crash
Using a plunger is beneath you? Did I miss that class in plumbing 101? My day to day plunger is 5' tall and has lightning bolts on it. My customers call it "the hammer" and it works well. I agree with you that you need to auger, but I bring both tools in if for other reason than to quickly empty a toilet bowl of some nasty stuff. Also when i use a plunger I can tell you within 3 seconds if this is a toilet problem or a sewer problem (thus actually saving customers money by diagnosing the problem quickly
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Author:
JaySweet (WA)
Id agree with e-plumber on this. The auger is the way to go. IMO, the plunger can be a waste of time and can create a mess.. Ill even recommend customers buying an auger when I see a plunger lying by a dirty toilet.
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Author:
redwood (CT)
A plunger is for customers to use when they don't have an auger. It has no place on a plumbers truck! If you are a fan of plungers at least be professional enough to waste your money on a kinetic water ram!
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Author:
hj
If you fill the toilet with diet Coke, that thirsty squirrel that is drinking the trap water in the previous post might call his buddy's for a party.
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Author:
redwood (CT)
Crash, Tell me how a plunger removes an object such as a bic pen or, a toothbrush from the trapway of a toilet. Yes, it will knock the paper of it causing the water to go down. No, the toilet will not stay unclogged. I know that we're not supposed to discuss price but what do you charge to plunge a toilet?
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Author:
Crash
I am not saying I'm just plunging the toilet and leaving. If there is a pen or a happy meal toy in it I get it out with step # 2...... I plunge it to get the toilet to drain and then auger it. After that I test and in answer to your question I charge our 1 hour labour rate.
Also given everyone's distain for plungers how do you all clear house traps??
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
hj
Also given everyone's distain for plungers how do you all clear house traps??
I get a laborer to dig it up and I remove it.
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Author:
redwood (CT)
When it comes to house traps I do 2 things: Where permitted I give a proposal to remove the trap(in CT. we still have several places where housetraps are required by local authorities). I also clean the trap by pushing a cable with a blade through the trap to loosen up any hard fastened build up in the trap. Make sure all lines are clear and flowing well, and as a final touch I get the wet dry vac out and remove all debris from the trap that did not wash out with the flow of water. I make sure the customer gets what they are paying for. A clean house trap that will not clog again soon!
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Author:
JaySweet (WA)
WTF? A lot of you guys must be back east.. I dont recall even seeing a house trap. What is it just some 3 or 4 inch trap in the main before it exits to the street?
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Author:
redwood (CT)
Usually where it exits the house or just outside the house in the ground. But we also find them at the curb in some areas.
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Author:
redwood (CT)
We have a couple of towns here in Ct. that are loaded with outside buried house traps... best yet the vent that is teed into the line just before the trap usually has about 2 90's in it and comes to the surface 10-15' away from the trap. I bet the same contractor did both towns... I'd like to meet the guy sometime... The term going postal ain't got jack!
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Author:
JaySweet (WA)
Wow thats crazy.. Im going to look that up in the books. Ive never seen one. I asked my dad AKA my boss, and he asked me what I was talking about (25 years exp). Then again the homes you guys work on are probably much older than the stuff here. If I guessed, id say most service calls we go out on are in homes 1955-1990.
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Author:
redwood (CT)
Homes range from 1600's - current here.
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