Some days we have to take small triumphs where we can get them. Actually that's most days around here.
The upstairs toilet clogged up for the third time in as many months. The other times I tried a few things but none were successful. The plumber was called, and as much as I enjoy his company, he's a damn expensive date.
The last time he came for a clogged toilet I watched him and actually paid attention. He went out to his truck and came back with the Mother of all augers. He augered out the clog, and after I emptied out one bank account into his hands, he was on his way to his next date.
This time, I again tried all the tricks in my small repertoire, it remained clogged. I decided that the prudent thing would be to get my own Mother of all augers. Headed out to the big box and got the one that had the best reviews. Took it to the checkout lady, and the first words out of her mouth were, "Your guy is going to be glad you got this, it really works!"
"That's good to know, but there is no guy, just me."
"I'm sorry about that, but you can handle it." she said.
Got home, worked the Mother of all augers a couple of times and 'wallah' the toilet flushes. The Mother of all augers was cleaned and gently placed in its new home beside the washing machine, as it deserved for saving me from another expensive date.
Ranch women can do anything they put their minds to. That said, could you have rented?
ReplyDeleteWSF, We are simply raised with a lot of try. The Mother the plumber used was a crank one with a long pole, and that is the one I bought. Worked like a charm. He didn't recommend a power auger (like the rental) and I can understand that it would be overkill for this application.
DeleteThe toilet auger is built to not scratch the porcelain.
DeleteAs I informed my son after coming home to find he had tried to be helpful.
Ed, At least he tried.
DeleteIf your toilet is clogging that much (I wonder who around you is responsible for that?), That is an investment that will pay for itself.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! And God bless. :)
Linda, Oh I know who is responsible, teenage granddaughter. We had the talk about that, and it was explained that the next time I had to call the plumber for this, she was going to pay for the plumber.
DeleteThe Mother has already more than paid for herself in savings.
Thanks for the blessing, back at you!
Maybe grandaughter needs an port-a-potty for awhile.
ReplyDeleteSkip, I'm pretty sure she got the message.
DeleteSome toilets are bad for clogging. It's not cheap to replace one but the new ones can take anything :) Well, almost
ReplyDeleteRain, Yep, the plumber said that who ever remodeled the hovel put in the cheapest toilets. I'm going to live with it for now.
DeleteGood for you. Self reliance pays off. I'm about to retrieve my auger from my son, it's the sink that's stopped up this time.
ReplyDeleteCelia, Thanks, hope your sink is fixed in no time.
DeleteThat'll come in handy until you can get the toilets replaced, but it 'could' also be a bend in the pipe, especially if it's upstairs. 'Normally' those pipes have 45 degree bend or less. Normally...
ReplyDeleteOld NFO, There are issues with the pipes that will have to be addressed... eventually.
DeleteI once came back to work from vacation to be told that one of the ladies toilets was backing up.
ReplyDeleteI called a plumber and he snaked and snaked.
Finally he told me he couldn't understand why this new toilet was baking up.
I didn't understand what he meant.
Turns out, while I was gone, somebody had it replaced without informing me.
It was a new low usage toilet but he had left the old high flow valve on it.
Forensic plumbing.
Ed, LOL, though I'm sure it wasn't funny at the time. Yes, lots of forensic plumbing going on at the hovel.
DeleteGlad you were able to fix the problem(-: Where I worked had a problem over and over again. Plumber said not to ever flush tampons the are the biggest problem with clogged toilets apparently. I have told my daughter that a million times. She still flushes them. Ughhhhh
ReplyDeleteCiNdEe, I know, my Granddaughters have been warned repeatedly about flushing tampons. They said, 'but Nanny, we flush them at home.' Well buttercups... this isn't your mom's house and the pipes here can't handle them! This time it was something else, though I don't know what.
DeleteYou can tell I am a Bachelor Badger, as I was going to ask if the problem was tree root invasion of the pipes.
ReplyDeleteScott, That's a good question, but all the other drains where working, so that was ruled out.
DeleteYou always amaze me:)
ReplyDeleteChanges, Thanks!
DeleteDamn, and you didn't even get kissed, huh.
ReplyDeleteWoodsterman, I know, RIGHT... LOL
Delete