Plumbing Disasters - Fixing A Clogged Toilet During A Party

Why should a party pooper know some basic plumbing tricks? While the following instructional can help anyone, it is specifically meant for people who have had an unpleasant experience at a friend's house or during a social gathering. If it hasn't happened to you yet, be thankful, but for everyone else, here are some tips to help you squirrel your way out of an uncomfortable and highly awkward situation.

Have you ever been at a party and couldn't hold it in a minute longer? Did you then realize you clogged the toilet? Whatever you do, don't flush it again. This is the cardinal rule regarding clogs. Another flush will most likely cause overflow, if there isn't one brewing already. The first thing you need to do is shut off the water valve before the water gets to the top of the rim. Then, calm down. If there is a plunger next to the toilet, wait patiently until the water level goes down, almost to empty. Then carefully plunge, ensuring that you make a tight seal around the hole. You should have some water in the cup so when you apply pressure you aren't just pushing air. Once finished, give it a cautionary flush to see if you dislodged the problem, but if it rises high, shut off the water again.

By now a line might be forming outside of the bathroom, and you might have even got an angry knock or two. Don't panic. If you have your phone, call another friend at the party and tell them to bring you some dishwashing liquid and a big cup of hot water that is almost boiling. They may be able to do is secretly, and you won't have to explain to antsy guests why they can't use the facilities just yet. Have them hand you the equipment and then ask them to make a plausible diversion (hopefully you have a creative and understanding friend).

Once the water level is lowered again, squeeze a good amount of dishwashing liquid directly into the toilet. Let it sit for a few minutes then add the hot water. Let that stand for another few minutes until you give it another flush. If you do it correctly and the clog was just due to too much toilet tissue or...organic matter, it is an almost foolproof method of dissolving and loosening the clump enough to get the plumbing working again. It's important not to use water that is boiling; however, or else you risk cracking the porcelain which will cause much more serious problems.

Some people try an untwisted coat hanger as an impromptu snake. Generally these cannot be manipulated to reach deep into the pipes as they bend quickly. The wire is also not flexible enough to follow the plumbing curves. Hiding the hanger after the deed can also be tricky and unpleasant. If the dishwashing soap fails after two attempts, it might be time to confess to the host. Or, if you don't have much to lose, let the next person in line take the blame.