by Joe Brooks

Created on: September 26, 2009

What to do when you pull the handle, and the bio-degradable material in the toilet comes back up at you, instead of going decently down and away? Panic is an understandable option, but won't help. If the top of the toilet tank is accessible, get it off quick and close the flap to stop the flow. That's a good move. Good plumbing and good maintenance are both helpful as well, and might have prevented the emergency. But, when the inevitable rise instead of flush occurs, there's no friend like a good old flange plunger. That's the one with the bell or other shape, other than flat. The flat one is good for a sink clog, but not ideal for the toilet.

Hopefully you have one of these right there where you can find it quickly. There's no time to waste in a situation like that. If so, put that plunger to work, and do it right. If you can, it's a good idea to run some warm water on the business end of the plunger, to soften and make more flexible the plunging part. Then, you get that flange end inserted until it makes a good seal, and commence to plunge. It isn't just pushing that does the trick, but the plunging, working it back and forth, that looses the clog and encourages a successful flush on the next try.

But what if you're in unfamiliar, perhaps hostile, territory, like your in-laws house, perhaps? Is there any way to avoid having to ask for a plunger, other than beating a hasty retreat and not claiming the mess you've made? By the way, you shouldn't try that. They're bound to notice, and may bring it up at the most unfavorable time. Your one best hope is hot water. You can put some hot water in the toilet, and hope that it will soften the blockage enough that it will go down. You can attempt a flush, with the top of the toilet and ready to manually force down the flap that stops the water flow. It's a faint hope, but better than none. Hot water is still good, even if you've done the right thing and asked for the toilet plunger. A little hot water and perhaps some liquid soap will help clear up the clog. Seat the flange plunger, get the plunging action going, and get rid of the clog.

In your own bathroom you can practice regular maintenance to keep the toilet and drain working properly. You should keep the underside of the rim cleaned, as that's where the water comes from that creates the flush. You don't want to let those clog up. You can be careful what gets put in the toilet, of course, to the extent possible. Too much paper is bad, and things not meant to go down the toilet should be put in the trash, not flushed. Paper towels are not meant for flushing. But when the worst happens and the terrible tide starts to rise, it's time to open the tank top, stop the flow, grab the handy flange type plunger, and get to work. Remember the good seal technique, and the proper plunging action, and a happy ending is likely.

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