I accidentally flushed the toilet paper roll holder (the wooden peg that goes through the roll). How to fix?!

Question

I accidentally flushed the wooden peg that goes through the toilet paper roll to attach it to the holder. It is a wooden peg about 5 inches long with a spring in the middle to allow the peg to compress to 3-4 inches. Now the toilet is draining slowly, and then the bowl re-fills only a very small amount. I have tried plunging and snaking the toilet but it has no effect. I'd like to avoid calling a plumber if at all possible. Any advice that you could offer as to how to fix the problem would be much appreciated. Step-by-step instructions, would be the most helpful. Thanks!

Answer 1

you are going to need to take the toilet apart (meaning off of the floor). You are going to need a wax ring (buy from your local hardware store).
empty the water tank and turn off the water.
Unscrew the bolts holding the toilet down.
Pick up the toilet and turn it upside down.
Pull the peg out with your hand (yeah, it's nasty in there so wear gloves)
Set the wax ring over the hole on the floor
Place the toilet exactly on the wax ring and make sure the toilet fits over it properly otherwise it will leak
Screw bolts back on
turn the water back on.
VOILA!!

Answer 2

I only see two options.
1) Remove the toilet and try to get the dowel out yourself or
2) Call a plumber.

Either option may result in you having to buy a new toilet, it’s just that option 1 is a LOT cheaper. (And if you can’t find the dowel anywhere in the toilet you know that it’s in the line and likely to cost a pretty penny to fix by a pro)

All the directions so far are good, the only other advice I’d give is to turn off the water and flush it and then sponge out as much water as possible from the tank and bowl (yes, gross, but not as gross as having all that water all over the floor when you tip over the toilet to try and find the dowel (if it’s not just laying there in the pipe). The other tip is not to overtighten any bolts because your toilet will crack and you’ll either have to live with the cracks or get a new toilet.

Your favorite home improvement mega-mart should have an online guide on how to do it. Toilets are pretty heavy, and placing it back in place alone isn’t really a job for a first timer unless you’re pretty handy and have seen it done on TV a couple of times. If you don’t know what a wax ring is and can’t find a friend/relative who does and can help you, I’d say leave it to the pros.

Try going up to a good friend and asking “Do you know what a wax ring for a toilet is?” and if they say “yes”, say “Great! I have this little project I need some help on, are you free tomorrow?”

Answer 3

First of all I can't imagine the peg,, at the dimension you describe as being able to make the intial flush, much less the P trap configuration of the toilet to the main drain. In any event I'm only GOOD not GOD.

The price of a plumber to give you this same answer will likely be $40 per hour. Plan on getting another toilet.

Are you opposed to putting a hand in there to see if the peg is still in the first section of the trap?

Step by step instructions???? Come on,,, sigh. It's a one piece, molded ceramic appliance, with a P type trap in the drain line. I don't mean any offense, but very likely, if you can't solve this as you have stated, you've tried, then a new toilet won't cost anymore than a plumber, who will shrug his shoukders and offer the same advice.

Rev. Steven

Answer 4

Wood Toilet Paper Holder

Answer 5

Actually time to call a plumber
at the very least the toilet will have to be taken out and the peg pulled out of the bottom, it may be that the toilet will have to be replaced, and it is possible that the drain line will need to be opened and cleared or replaced
None of this is something to do without training

Sorry - I feel your pain

Answer 6

Remove the toilet from the floor and get the obstruction out.
1. turn toilet water off .( valve behind toilet )
2. remove fasteners( nuts) from base of toilet. One on each side.
3. Pick toilet straight up and sit backdown on a piece of cardboard. Note there will be a very messy wax ring that seals the toilet to the sewer pipe. This must be cleaned off.
4. Remove obstruction
5. replace wax ring(home depot) reset toilet, tighten nuts, turn water back on.

Answer 7

You need to take the toliet apart & shut the water off while your doing this.It's a tough job but it can be done

Answer 8

You should call a plumber.