Hi all,

I have a clogged toilet and I am looking to avoid having anyone come into my house due to the fact I live in a pandemic hotspot. But I'm not very handy. My toilet was completely clogged and plunging only helped a little, allowing it to slowly drain. Any time paper is used, it gets completely clogged and has to be plunged over 100 times just to drain slowly again. I bought the $6 3 foot toilet augur they sell on Amazon and Walmart and snaked it, and everything seemed to be working great, but it clogged again almost immediately. I snaked it again and it worked fine again, and the toilet was flushing fine, and then clogged a short time later. I tried to snake it a third time and this time, the snake would not go all the way down. And when I rotated the handle, it would wind up super tight and then quickly spin backwards when I let go. If I pushed the snake really hard, it would fold over itself and the tip would come back out. So, I figured I need a stronger snake that won't fold and come back out, so I bought the $55 Rigid 6 foot auger. It will not go all the way down. I have been pushing and turning as hard as I can, and it only goes maybe 2 or 2 1/2 feet down. Like the cheap augur, when I reach the point it won't go down anymore and I turn the handle, it winds up tight and then spins the opposite way very fast when I let go. I really don't want to take the toilet off myself to try to find a toy or something in there (I have a 3 year old) and have to do a new wax ring, etc. and I'm afraid I'll mess it up and have a leak, etc. Is there anything else I can try before I have a plumber come inside my house?

Thanks!

 

Greg,
First I applaud you for being careful about having someone coming into a pandemic hot spot.

Do you have access to another toilet? Perhaps a friend or neighbor? Perhaps a baby sitter for a day or two?

Removing the toilet is not rocket surgery or brain science. Sounds like you have an object lodged in the trap or very close by down stream.

Basically, you shut of water supply remove supply line from tank and unbolt toilet. Yes you will replace the wax ring.

Another possibility is to buy an endoscope to view the clog. But you will still need to remove the toilet.

Tools you'll need is two crescent wrenches, pliers, screwdriver and lots of rags or towels.

 

Welcome to the forums.

Is it possible it could be a toy ?
Set the snake in the bowl. Push the center until it hits something. Turn handle slightly and try pulling out. You want to try to bring the toy back into the bowl. I've gotten many things out of a toilet.... even a hairbrush which was quite a job.

 

We have to pull a stool every year or two when a tenant drops something into the bowl which gets stuck in the trap. Pete's method may work for you, never tried it - we just automatically pull the stool and the object then usually falls out.

 

Very likely a toy as I have a 3 year old. I've tried so many times to maybe catch the snake on it. Nothing has worked so far. I guess I'll just keep trying and trying before I give up.

 

Were you able to find and remove the clog?

 

Nope, thanks for asking. The toilet is in my master bathroom and is still very useful for #1, so I think we may just use it only for that right now. I don't want to try to lift it myself because if I mess it up bad, then I'll have no toilet to use. And we don't want a plumber coming in the house right now because of Covid.

 

Greg,
Have you or anyone in your house hold tested positive for Covid? If not then don't be afraid to call a plumber and get the thing fixed. It has been proven that surface contact is almost nil in catching Covid. You and the plumber will wear a mask. In fact you won't need to be near him. That's what's counts. Distancing is the key. Remember, he doesn't want any more than you do. Use a disinfectant to clean before and after he does his work. That should make you feel safe.

I work in the public sector, and I'm elderly. I have no worries about seeing people or having contact with them. I'm handling items from customer daily (I fix screens that customers bring in). Just keep your distance. As long as you don't have any underlying health issues you'll be fine.

Just my humble opinion.

 

Sorry to hear and you're welcome. Good call on not letting someone in the house right now. I don't currently have a situation like that but I'd also be reluctant to lift my toilet since it's my one and only. The threaded studs are pretty rusted, before putting it back on they'd probably need to be replaced and just my luck it would be a fiasco.

Fortunately you've got toilet #2, for #2.

Just saw the post by Norm as I still was able to edit this. Good points and reassuring if it's absolutely necessary to have someone come in the house for whatever reason.

 

Thanks Norm and Steve. I do agree the odds of catching it are extremely low if a plumber comes into my house. Plus, I am healthy and relatively young, in my 40s, so even if I did catch it, the odds of having a terrible outcome are very low. At the same time, I think I will avoid taking any risks and let it be as long as the inconvenience isn't too bad. I typically have to make a couple of #1 trips to the toilet each night, so having a master bathroom toilet for that is key. #2 can be handled in a different bathroom. If the toilet could not be used for #1, it would be a pretty big inconvenience to walk across the house a couple of times per night to get to a toilet, and I most certainly call a plumber.