If you've got kids, you've probably had to deal with an overflowing toilet many times. Young kids may drop in enough toilet paper to paper the toilet, so to speak. You hear a loud Hey Ma! The toilet's overflowing! Your heart sinks as you rush to respond. Kids are also known to inadvertently drop objects, such as toys in the toilet. They don't want to fish it out, so they just flush, thinking Why not? Those water-saving toilets are also a little particular on what and how much they flush. In any case, the result is the same an overflowing toilet you've got to clear, plus a nasty cleanup job. Here we've got some tips on correcting the problem with the least amount of mess.
Every bathroom should be equipped with a sturdy plunger, tucked behind the toilet with the bowl cleaner brush. You can get a cheap plunger, but you'll regret it next time the toilet refuses to flush the way it's supposed to. But, we're only talking about $4 for the heavy duty toilet plunger that gets the job done. It's worth it and besides, it lasts for years ... what else can you pay $4 for and get years of use? When choosing the toilet plunger, compare the weight with a cheap plunger. Go for the heavy one, with a long neck at the base of the round suction opening. Check the thickness of the rubber. You can easily discern the difference between the cheap and 'expensive' plungers.
While you're shopping for the plunger, look for a toilet snake as well. Hey, I can't think of any task I'd rather not do than clean up an overflowing toilet, so the well equipped household needs a snake as well, for those tough cases a mere plunger can't deal with.
Young kids will just stare in dismay as the toilet water runs all over the floor. On the other hand, older kids can be instructed on using the plunger to try to avoid the dreaded overflow. So get them in the know with a short lesson beforehand. The long neck of the plunger base should be firmly centered at the opening at the bottom of the toilet, where the contents should be flushed. Once centered, press the round suction portion down over the opening. Hold the plunger straight and press down, then let off slightly, then down again. Do this in short, quick motions, even as the overflowing toilet threatens your nice clean floor and bath rug. You may succeed in avoiding a major mess, if you work quickly!
OK, let's say the plunger alone doesn't straighten out the problem. Now it's time for the snake. Something's blocking the passageway between the bowl and the drain. The flexible coils of the metal snake will capture whatever's causing the block. BTW, tell the kids that they shouldn't clean their hairbrush and then try to flush it down. You might also want to have a slotted metal spoon devoted to fishing out toys or whatever doesn't belong in the toilet.
In most cases, just a couple of minutes of vigorous plunger use is all you need to remedy an overflowing toilet. The worst part of the task is always the mess on the floor. Personally, I'd rather clean the oven any day!
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