Add These Must-Do’s to Your Moving Checklist
Our must-do checklist for moving comes in handy, whether you are moving to another state or into your first home.
We’re all familiar with Black Friday, the unofficial launch of the holiday shopping season.
But did you know plumbers in the United States have a name for that day after Thanksgiving? They call it “Brown Friday,” as it’s typically their busiest day of the year. The perfect storm of prepping and consuming an enormous Thanksgiving meal combined with houses filled to the brim with guests, means sinks, garbage disposals and toilets are often clogged or (worse) overflowing.
Toilet clogs, of course, are the worst. Turkey Day can’t be solely to blame for this systematic problem because according to a consumer survey, 20% of respondents say they frequently deal with clogged toilets in their residence. Countless more are worried it will happen one day, and thus have a case of what the Urban Dictionary defines as "overflowbia.”
While plumbers are ever ready to plunge into the fray and fix the mess you’ve made, it’s usually cheaper to do this job done yourself. Just make sure you have the tools for the job on hand before things get too busy in the bathroom.
The traditional, red rubber cup plunger with an 18-inch wooden handle has been the go-to unclogging device for decades. If it has a flange at the bottom, it’s perfect for a toilet (one without a flange may work but is better suited for a sink). You can get one at any hardware store.
But advancements in plunger design have added options for smart shoppers to consider – such as this beehive-shaped design with an adjustable handle. You can even try a high-pressure compressed air plunger gun to blast away nasty clogs.
Regardless of the tool you use, there are some basic steps to follow to properly – and successfully – take the plunge:
While a plunger usually works, what if you don’t have one at hand? Or the plunging regimen doesn’t work? Before calling the plumber, you can try a couple of other methods for unclogging a toilet:
The best way to deal with a clogged toilet is for it to never happen. While some clogs are unpreventable, you can take steps to lessen the chances of a serious clog.
Typically, that means to keep certain things out of the toilet. Never flush anything that has no business being in the toilet, including the following:
Another clog-prevention method is to be selective in your choice of toilet paper and the amount you use. Too much wadded-up toilet paper can easily lead to clogs, especially if the paper is ultrathick.
The best toilet paper to help prevent blogs is biodegradable toilet paper, which is engineered to dissolve more quickly than other types. All Scott® Toilet Paper products have 100% biodegradable fibers and clog-free technology to help them dissolve quickly and help prevent clogs. They are also sustainably sourced and free of perfumes and dyes. Perfect for any bathroom setting, Scott® Brand toilet paper is particularly effective in systems tied to septic tanks or clog-prone plumbing.
Also, to keep your pipes open and clear, it doesn’t hurt – every month or so – to pour a bottle of a liquid, anti-clogging product that is specifically designed for toilet use. Here is one reviewer’s guide to toilet unclogger liquids.
What is your best method for unclogging a toilet? Please share your toilet triumphs and tips, via social media channels. Remember to use the tag #KeepLifeRolling.
Trusted for strength, designed for comfort. Scott® ComfortPlus™ toilet paper is 4X Stronger and 3X Thicker vs leading value brand.
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