Econo-Rooter came to my house today. $85 to clear a blockage of Charmin tissue. I've got two small kids, who are scheduled for retraining on single-use quantities. (How many squares do you need?)
My question is, if you use Charmin and have kids (or have another member of the household who leaves a large paper trail), do you do regular maintenance to avoid those $85 bills?
I know there are chemicals at the store and I've read remedies like flushing a bowl of boiling water once a week, but I'd really appreciate personal experience here.
2007-08-07 09:27:50 · 8 answers · asked by jbrandtc 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I was having problems with the toilet clogging up and finally a new plumber told me that Charmin is the worst brand to use. It doesn't disintegrate. he said to switch to Scott Brand. He also said to never flush kleenex or papertowels down there.
He did a demonstration where he grabbed a wad of Charmin TP and washed it in a bowl of water. it just congealed into one glob. He did the same with the Scott tissue and it all disintegrated into very tiny pieces. I couldn't believe it.
Needless to say, I haven't had any problems since i switched brands.
2007-08-07 09:35:15 · answer #1 · answered by godzillagirl 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Do not pour boiling water into the bowl. The sudden change in temps could crack or break it. Change toilet paper brands. When I bought my first house with a septic system, the installer told me not to use Charmin paper. There really is no maintenance needed on toilets except keeping the surfaces clean. Train the kids that, with the exception of a small amount of TP, "if it didn't go through you, it shouldn't go down the toilet".
2007-08-07 16:58:51 · answer #2 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A bucket of boiling water is liable to crack your porcelain bowl I would advise against it.
Maybe instead of that you could buy some of that disposable toilet paper they use for campers.
Or maybe once a week flush some Drano down the toilet.
Can you put the TP up high where the kids can*t get at it and give them so many sheets as they head for the john?
2007-08-07 16:34:39 · answer #3 · answered by llittle mama 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't put hot water in, the temp change is not good. If you read the back of a Drano bottle it will tell you not to put in toilet. Chemical temp. change still no good. Buy a snake or rent a power auger and make sure you don't have roots growing near your pipes. Don't feel so bad i went with roto rip you off and they took $200 from twice now. I now rent augers for less then $40.00. gl
2007-08-07 16:42:58 · answer #4 · answered by alonetogether 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't have to do regular maintenance because I don't have kids and I rarely use Charmin! I'll have to try the Scott brand, though, sounds good!
2007-08-07 23:44:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Got KIDS? Need a Snake. A small home plumbing snake is a good thing to have. It removes the small salt or pepper shakers, and even Beenie Babies. Trust me on this, been there. If they're older kids, you should be able to get them to cut down on amount of paper.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1280058&cp=1260768&parentPage=family
Hope this was helpful :-)
2007-08-07 17:24:53 · answer #6 · answered by Tony 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend as a PM, periodic plunging (not just when it seems to need it). This does not add chemicals NOR does it subject your "ceramic telephone" to problems that may arise from boiling water.
"Don't have a square to spare."
How much is enough? I have a joke that, unfortunately, I can't pass on, only because it requires visual aids.
2007-08-07 17:12:08 · answer #7 · answered by KenlKoff 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't know that toilets needed maintenance - I just thought they needed cleaning. If you have a septic tank, that requires some maintenance - you flush that rid-x stuff two or three times a year.
2007-08-07 16:32:08 · answer #8 · answered by Go Bears! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋