Any plumbers out there?

[natasha5687]

My 4 year old decides to flush a condiment cup down the toilet It is one of those flimsy plastic throw away type cups. The toilet is still flushing but not properly. Is there anything I can put down the toilet that will disolve the cup? I know acetone will melt thin plastic but I dont know if its safe to put down the toilet because im pretty sure that some of my pipes are PVC. Any well informed suggestions are appreciated.

[RonB]

A plumbers snake might push it out of the toilet ~ Ron

[Passepartout]

I don't think you can safely chemically dissolve this. Better call Roto-Rooter or equivalent. It might be possible to remove the toilet and grab the plastic cup, but if it's gone down further, you'll be calling a drain specialist anyway.

Sorry. Don't injure him badly. He meant no harm. (kidding)

Jim

[natasha5687]

Originally Posted by Passepartout

I don't think you can safely chemically dissolve this. Better call Roto-Rooter or equivalent. It might be possible to remove the toilet and grab the plastic cup, but if it's gone down further, you'll be calling a drain specialist anyway.

Sorry. Don't injure him badly. He meant no harm. (kidding)

Jim

He's still alive and well He wasnt too happy when I told him not to be surprised when I tell him no when he wants a new toy or McDonalds for awhile since mommy was going to have to pay big money to fix the toilet. He went and got his piggy bank to try and give me his money. He was pretty upset.

[pjrose]

Do you have one of those 3' long flexible springy grabbers?

http://www.amazon.com/OEM-25291-Four...6010872&sr=8-8

I'm sure you can get it at WalMart or Lowe's or Home Depot.

If the cup is stuck in the S curve of the toilet, that grabber thing might be able to get it, or push it down.

We used one to get out a cell phone years ago (haven't used it since of course....but at least that took care of the toilet being blocked)

[ronparise]

At one time in my life I was collecting rent from over 100 tenants...thats 100 toilets I was responsible for....Ive cleaned out a lot of stuff from toilets. A snake might push it through. Or you might get lucky with a good plunger and suck it out. But chances are you will have to pull it off the floor, turn it upside down and push or pull it out from the bottom

Good luck

[wackymother]

Originally Posted by natasha5687

He's still alive and well He wasnt too happy when I told him not to be surprised when I tell him no when he wants a new toy or McDonalds for awhile since mommy was going to have to pay big money to fix the toilet. He went and got his piggy bank to try and give me his money. He was pretty upset.

Awww. That's so sweet. Hope he feels better today, and I hope you do too. Thank god for plumbers!

[vacationhopeful]

This would be a great time to start with chores and an allowance around the home. Yes, 4 year olds can work. I did it with my youngest nephew at 4.5 yo where his 2 older brothers never had my influence (finish the job before lunch). The youngest one will grab a snow shovel and just help any neighbor to shovel - usually while their kid sits inside on the computer. Never asks for money, but comes home with $20s in his pocket every time. He got a bank account when he was 6 and gives Mom part of his income; he still has money in his room, mostly from his allowance. He is 11 now. Loves to help and has been much more helpful than you would expect a "little kid" to be.

[easyrider]

I sometimes use a shop vac to get foreign objects out of the toilet.

[Passepartout]

Originally Posted by easyrider

I sometimes use a shop vac to get foreign objects out of the toilet.

That's a good idea that hadn't occurred to me. OP would probably still have to remove the throne. Not a difficult DIY project, but one not every homeowner is willing to do. And not every homeowner has a shop vac. Otoh, if one had the vac and a wax seal, it could save a couple hundred bux. I'd even sponge out the water and try the vac before pulling the toilet in case the little cup was lodged in the toilet itself. Couldn't hurt. Might help.

Jim

[pjrose]

Originally Posted by vacationhopeful

This would be a great time to start with chores and an allowance around the home. Yes, 4 year olds can work. I did it with my youngest nephew at 4.5 yo where his 2 older brothers never had my influence (finish the job before lunch). The youngest one will grab a snow shovel and just help any neighbor to shovel - usually while their kid sits inside on the computer. Never asks for money, but comes home with $20s in his pocket every time. He got a bank account when he was 6 and gives Mom part of his income; he still has money in his room, mostly from his allowance. He is 11 now. Loves to help and has been much more helpful than you would expect a "little kid" to be.

Like, Like, Like.

[natasha5687]

I forgot my DH god father is a plumber. He had me put a product called Liquid Lightning down the drain for 5 minutes and flush. Apparently just the main sewarge pipe in PVC. This stuff will dissolve a a plastic army man if you leave it long enough. In my case 5 minutes was enough! Less than $10 and the toilet is fixed...I dont think im going to tell Eric just yet since it will give me a break from the I want this I want that's

[Passepartout]

WOW! Excellent information. I gotta get some of that stuff to keep on hand! It sort of makes you wonder how it dissolves plastic when it's bottle is plastic. Oh well. shrug.

Glad it worked for you.

Jim