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Wrangle With Wrench - What To Do About A Clogged Toilet?

By
Home Inspector with Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC 3380-000723

Salutations and agreeable greetings folks!

Wrench here!  Let me introduce myself.

I have passed through a life of experiences.  And, as you know, life experience is a cruel, but effective teacher!  And have I been taught!

And if you're asking, "Wrench, did your mother give you that name?"

The answer is yes.  I'm told she named me that in the hospital bed right after I was born!  But I'm not sure why ... something about it being a wrenching experience I think.

Today's tip might be similar in some ways.

It's time to Wrangle With Wrench!

So, what is the tip today?

What to do
about a clogged toilet?

It's the morning after a real celebration meal, or just your normal day after sidling up to the feed bag.

And you go in to powder your nose and you wrench out a little more than the toilet can handle.

You go to plunge the toilet and it doesn't seem to wrangle with the clog.  You blew out a bunch!  Big bazooka!  It's a regular Frank Zappa Krappapalooza!

Hey, it happens to all of us!

And to some of us every day ... but, um, let's not go there.  A rose, um, clog by any other name smells just as sweet.  So to speak. 

So, what do you do about it?

You can spend big bucks and call the plumber!  Or go to the hardware store, spend fewer bucks, and buy a plumbing snake!  Or maybe, just maybe, you can wrangle with it the easy way.

Hey, Wrench, what's the easy way?

Say, what's that in the kitchen cabinet?

Dishwashing soap!

Dishwashing soap breaks up grease and makes things really slippery!

It greases the skids!

Just pour a cup of your favorite dishwashing soap into the toilet and let it sit.

Go back after half an hour and flush the toilet.

Only flush it once - you don't want an overflow!

And the clog should slip slide away!

If that doesn't work, pour in one more cup and wait another half hour. 

But I bet you'll find the clog goes away first try!  It works for me every time!  And let me tell you, that's some accomplishment!

And it's way cheaper than calling a plumber!  Or even buying a plumbing snake!

Oh, one more thing.  Be sure to lift the lid.

So, check in again for home tips with Wrangle With Wrench!

And when it comes to doing things around the house, remember what Mr. Jefferson said -

 

NEVER PUT OFF FOR TOMORROW WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY.

 

 

 

Posted by

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia.

Office (703) 330-6388   Cell (703) 585-7560

www.jaymarinspect.com


Comments (73)

Susan Jackson
America's Network Realty Group, Inc - Sandy Springs, GA

Well Wrench who would have thunk it!!!  It seems diswashing liquid handles a multitude of things.

Mar 02, 2015 01:48 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

thanks for the tip Rangel.
We get called in far too often to handle things like this at our rental homes.

Mar 02, 2015 03:37 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Wrench, that is a great idea. I hope to never need it, but I know that is unlikely since I've been told more than once that I'm full of . . . .

Mar 02, 2015 04:59 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

The posts will come out periodically Kerrie, when Wrench can entice his professional photog to help out.  There are two - one is a queen and the other a princess and both are way above wanting to help the likes of a lowly subject in the land.  Money usually works.

Anytime Adrian!  Sometimes things are simple beyond belief.

Wrench thunk it Susan!  He's had that tip in his tool bag for a long time.

This is something people in rental homes should have on the fridge door with a big red magnet Bob.

Mike - so I've heard!  But never believed it.  To protect your street cred I won't tell anyone about the good stuff I know you're full of.  You want that reputation out there?  You extremist, you.

Mar 02, 2015 06:09 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I will now have to stock up on detergent, and place a note by the plunger to remind me of what I have to do

Mar 02, 2015 10:34 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

You'll be pleased with the results Ed!

Mar 02, 2015 10:38 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

Hey Wrench!  I have never heard of this but it make so much sense!  Worse case you always can make bubbles too.  LOL   Looking forward to more tips!

Mar 02, 2015 01:54 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

It does make some bubbles Tammy,  and leaves the toilet cleaner than you might expect!

Mar 02, 2015 06:59 PM
Stephen Weakley
Nationwide Mortgage Services - Rockville, MD

Wow, can't believe I'm actually looking forward to clogging up the toilet to try this!

Thanks Jay

Mar 02, 2015 11:58 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Break out grandma's recipe book and go to town Stephen!

Mar 03, 2015 02:59 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Oh Jay Markanich  You are so darn clever . I just loved this ..

Mar 03, 2015 11:14 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Thank you Hannah!  Teaching a neat trick doesn't discount having fun.

Mar 03, 2015 05:54 PM
Bryan Spann
SYSNE LLC - Houston, TX
Agent

That's a great idea if it works. I need to try this on. I dropped something in my Brothers toilet and he waited a week till I came to snake it. DIY.

Mar 06, 2015 12:56 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Bryan - it depends on what gets dropped in there!  This is just for usual toilet deposits, if you know what I mean, and I have been suggesting it to people for many years!

Mar 06, 2015 03:42 AM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

This looks like a great idea-  have sent it to my tenant - hopefully it will work with her slow toilet.

Mar 07, 2015 11:33 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Lise - if it's slow it might be a build up inside the drain line.  I don't know what the material is.  When I have a slow toilet I put in an enzyme drain cleaner.  This is what I use - click here.

Mar 08, 2015 12:35 AM
Winston Heverly
Coldwell Banker Access Realty - South Macon, GA
GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, CIAS, PA

I enjoyed your informative post, glad I came across it in the archives.

Mar 10, 2016 10:08 AM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

An oldie but a goodie, Winston.  Bona fide information with a fun twist.

Mar 10, 2016 07:07 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Jay. I really appreciate this tip. I will go get some dishwasher liquid today. TY

Oct 25, 2016 10:31 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Clogmolive works really well in our house, Sheila.  I am shocked, shocked I tell you, that you didn't see this post when it came out.

Oct 25, 2016 10:56 PM