Someone in the house who is not too bright accidentally flushed a towel down the toilet. Kind of like a "hand towel" or a large washrag. And they stupidly tried to use a plunger before realizing it was a towel stuck in there.
Anyway, any ideas on how we can get the towel out? Is there some sort of snake-like device with hooks or something that can grasp onto the towel?
The other toilets work, so at least the towel didn't go TOO far.
On 5/27/2009 11:08 PM snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com spake thus:
You didn't say whether or not the toilet was clogged--is it? If not, I wouldn't sweat it; the towel will eventually clear your drain.
If it is clogged, you're not going to get the towel out, but probably push it through with a snake.
That's my guess, anyhow. IANAP.*
Yes, it is clogged. Hmm, if I manage to push it through, is it possible that it could get stuck again further in the system (like maybe if there are narrower pipes)?
You could try to snake it, with the goal of pulling the towel out of the toilet, not through. If you push the towel in and it gets stuck in the pipe somewhere, then you're in more trouble.
That said, it's not easy to snake the toilet because of the built-in P-trap.
You may have to remove the toilet to get to the towel. Hopefully it is still stuck in the toilet, not in the pipe.
Or you could try to find some chemical that dissolves cotton. It may take a while.
This will do it, and a lot easier than pulling the toilet;
Yes, the device you want is called a closet auger. Any good hardware store should have them. Here is an article with a picture and describing its use.
When I worked in a lab, one of my co-workers accidentally flushed a diaper down the drain.
His solution was to liberate about six pounds of Sodium hydroxide (Lye) from the lab and continue to dump the stuff in the commode. I think it worked and I'm pretty sure you don't need reagent grade...
Many drain snakes, the end has a spiral that can be opened up. Insert snake, crank, pull back. The towel should come back out.
Yes, possible to clog further down the line. Drain snake should help you snag and remove the towel.
Lye decomposes diapers? That's a new one, to me. I thought they were mostly cellulose, so I'd expect to have to use sulphuric acid.
Just like fishing. It would be easy to determine where the cloth is. Just measure with a snake or wire. If its past the toilet, it may take removing it.
greg
Real diapers are cotton.
That's what he said, cellulose.
Yes, it is clogged. Hmm, if I manage to push it through, is it possible that it could get stuck again further in the system (like maybe if there are narrower pipes)?
Lye decomposes cotton? Might be.
I'd be more happy bending the tip of a closet auger, or drain snake. So as to catch the towel, and pull it back. Never know, the drain may be restricted some where farther down the pipe.
On 5/28/2009 12:35 PM Larry The Snake Guy spake thus:
So how do we know the washcloth isn't polyester?
Could also be newspaper, toilet paper. I think paper is a little easier to dissolve. Cotton is not stiff, and the fiber is continious, not chunked together. It does not pull apart except with great strength. The OP keeps asking stupid questions. I think a PLUMBER is required or will be. Roto Router.
greg
On 5/28/2009 1:24 PM GregS spake thus:
What's stupid about wanting to avoid paying potentially hundreds of dollars for something you might be able to do yourself? Isn't that the whole idea of this newsgroup?
I hope nobody shoots *you* down next time you ask a "stupid" question.
I'ts not how deep you snake, but how you wiggle your tip.
I'm still voting for extracting as much of the offending towel as possible.
Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required