This stupid toilet (an American Standard) does this every so often (once every 6 months I'd say). It gets severely clogged. When this started, I was able to use a plunger and it was an easy fix. Over time it's gotten progressively worse. The last time (last summer), I ended up performing a series of applications of various concoctions of vinegar and baking soda, plunging like crazy (I have a good plunger and know how to use it properly) and ultimately borrowed a small auger, which I had difficulty using - trouble getting it to navigate the curves of the pipe. But ultimately i broke up the clog and felt relieved. I was not at all surprised when earlier this week, the toilet clogged again. This time it's the worst it's ever been. No amount of plunging, baking soda/vinegar, kicking or screaming at it has made even the slightest dent. I even picked up an auger that got good reviews (a Husky drum auger), and I have a feeling it would have worked well if I'd been able to get it to make all the turns in the pipe. I fed it into the drain hole, then started turning, turning, turning... Got it around the first bend, but that's as far as it would go...

So I guess the questions I have are:

1. is there a really great and compact (and preferably cheap) auger that works better than the ones I've tried (the standard 3 ft. auger and the Husky drum auger)? Something with a line that can navigate the turns with ease?

2. Is it possible that this toilet is just a piece of junk? It was a $400-500 toilet by American Standard. Our other toilet is a Kohler and works like a dream - never a problem.

and

3. Any other tricks I could try on this clog or should I just call the super on Monday and have him bring his motorized auger?

 

There's nothing wrong with your toilet. Most likely you have a solid object stuck in the trap or just past the trap. Using all those chemicals will do you no good. And if the auger/snake did not help, it's time to pull the toilet out and inspect the unit from the bottom and snake the drain pipe.

edit...what brand/kind of toilet paper are you using? Yes it makes a difference.

 

We tend to use Charmin (either Ultra Strong or Ultra Soft). Is that a bad one to use?

Sounds like I'll let the super handle this from here. He's got a professional auger that ought to knock out any solid objects.

 

More than likely..... it's beyond the toilet. I use a 6' toilet snake that will clean right to the fitting in the floor. When that doesn't work I know the problem is beyond. The beauty of the toilet snake is the part that guides the auger is rubber and won't scratch your toilet like a plain snake would.

Ridgid toilet snake

 

Scott's plain ordinary tissue. The thin stuff you find in public toilets or what they use at a place of employment. Ever wonder why? Even when used in big clumps, it will dissolve very quickly. Wish I could convince my wife to use it. I know, most people don't like it.

 

I'll try fiddling with the auger some more. I'm guessing these (toilet/drum augers) are all pretty much the same in terms of how easy it is to maneuver the end of the cable around the bends of the pipe/trap. If this blockage is beyond the trap, I'll need to get professional help, as removing the toilet would be beyond the scope of my DIY motivation. But I'd like to get an auger through the entire trap first if i can. :-)

 

I have never tried it but there is a lot of suggestions on the Internet about using multiple layers of plastic wrap to cover the bowl completely... then flush the toilet and as air pressure pushes the plastic wrap upward, you push down firmly on the plastic wrap a few times. I would like to know if this works better than a plunger.

 

No..... won't work. The pressure will blow back up thru the rim holes which is open to the standpipe inside the tank.

 

I think that's why they say to flush it... so that the rim holes are being plugged with water at the time. But I'm skeptical anyway.

 

Several times when my kids were little they flushed toys down the commode. A plumber friend told me to remove the commode, take it outside and back flush it with a garden hose. It worked great at dislodging the toy.

 

This would be an excellent time to learn. It's not that hard. And think of the cost. Calling a plumber will cost anywhere from $100 to $300. Even if you mess up, you;re learning something for future problems. We can help walk you through the process.

 

I think you would be surprised; it is not very difficult to do. Then you could use a garden hose as marksr suggested. But if you can fix it without pulling the toilet so much the better.

 

When you know the clog is past your toilet, stop using a plunger. Luckily the pressure will discharge through the toilet but if it didn't it would have as much chance to blow out your wax ring seal as it does to blow out your clog. You really don't want to compromise your wax ring seal. It seals some stuff you really don't want to see escape.

 

Any time we've had a stool with an intermittent clogging problem like this, it's been something caught in the trap which required the stool to be removed and tipped over to fish out the item.

 

Well since Stick made the initial comment, I may as well add to it. Not with my family, but I know of several instances where a "bathroom" knife is always at the ready to help "cut" up (if you get my drift) those stubborn or hard dumps. Makes you wonder what some people eat.

 

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm going to just speak with the super tomorrow and see what he can do - I'm sure he'll be all over it. I live in an apartment building so not possible to take the toilet outside and flush it out with a hose. I'll definitely watch whatever he does and learn what I can. I appreciate the tips here as well!