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STOP! Hold everything! Don't call a plumber until you try this little gadget that can save you hundreds of dollars. Yesterday I had a plumber come to the house to unclog two toilets so they would flush better. One of them I knew a toy had been flushed down. He took them apart, and worked on them, and told me a toy was lodged in the trap of the toilet, and the only way to get it out would be to break the toilet. So last night I went off to purchase two new toilets. While I was trying to decide which model to get, the associate who was helping me asked what was wrong with the toilets that I had to get new ones. After explaining to him, he took me to the plumbing repair department, and showed me the "Zip It". It is a long, flexible plastic strip, with a finger hole at the top. On both edges of the strip are teeth that point upward. The way you do it is, slid it down the toilet drain through the curvy part at the base of the toilet. If you hit something, slowly bring it back out. It took a few times, but I was able to dislodge the toy. The "Zip It" can be used on all the drains in your house. It is especially good on hair clogs in the drain, and of course, toys in the toilet. Best of all, it only cost me $2.39.

Also, while talking to the associate, he told me the proper way to use a plunger. Instead of slamming it down on the downward stroke, compress it down very slowly, then bring it up fast. The suction it creates will hopefully bring up what is clogging the toilet.

Learn more about this author, Kathleen Couch.
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