January 2020 - Another $340 plumbing bill (snake camera) let me know my pipes are not cast iron and there is nothing wrong with my pipes from sewer outlet in front yard to my toilet. There is nothing wrong with my toilet. They went up on the roof and ran that snake thing and there is nothing wrong with my pipes from roof down. Thank God for 2nd opinions because that other plumbing company said I needed to replace my pipes- not true.
Yet, my toilet stops flushing like clockwork every 2 weeks or so. THANK GOD for this Beehive plunger!!! This current plumber is sending me the video and still shots of what he believes is the problem of why this BeeHive plunger gets such a workout. A large root is blocking half the pipe on city side. Well, as usual - the city came out and denied seeing any root or blockage (just like years before). I am waiting for the video/still shots and that plumber to meet me at my house at a set time with the city so this can be resolved ...just like before with another plumbing company. In the meantime, I have a garage full of all plungers that do not work or do not work well or do not work as well as this Beehive plunger for my 1998 Anderson Standard 1.6 gallon old style round internal hole toilet. My current plumber is not a fan of Anderson toilets but says this one works extremely well. His plumbing assistant (apprentice?) was surprised to hear him praise an Anderson toilet. I heard their conversation standing outside in the hallway.
I am buying a 2nd beehive plunger this time with a stand - since this every 2 week week constant toilet clogging is not going to go away anytime soon. I wish I had purchased the plunger with the stand the 1st time.
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About 10 years ago my neighbor's tree roots repeatedly clogged by front yard sewer pipe 6 times. The city had to pay to repair then replace the pipe since the breech was between the street and my front yard sewer outlet - their responsibility (17' from street into my yard - pipes belong to city) . Since then, my pipes have been touchy. This 1950' house's old iron pipes I think are filled with mineral deposits or something (that is what another plumbing company told me - they were wrong as I found out later) and likely I will need to fork out the thousands to replace them (1st plumber estimate scheduled for next week) . It used to be every 8 - 12 months the toilet would clog and now it is every 2-3 weeks my toilet clogs. I could be gone for 2 weeks and leave a working toilet and come home to one that on 1st flush is clogged. Or if I run my washing machine - water backs up into the tub - depends. . . Doesn't happen when I run dishwasher or use kitchen sink. Anyway, over the years I have purchased a dozen toilet plungers, regular plungers and a snake which goes from 3-6' if I want to snake out my own toilet. I own several excellent toilet plungers in the garage which is now temporarily filled with a relatives "stuff' - so rather than try to find them I purchased 3 more toilet plungers from Amazon.. None too soon because today with no warning, toilet would not flush. I live alone so it is not like the plumbing is overworked - just very old cast iron plumbing.
The 3 toilet plungers I recently purchased at same time for my "old hole (round) toilet are:
1) This one - Korky 99-4A 99-1AM Beehive Max Universal Fits All Old and New Powerful Plunge-Easy Grip T-Handle-Made in USA Toilet Plunger, Black (non adjustable) - This toilet plunger is one of THE BEST - ever. It is solid, heavy and the handle is long which makes it easier to lean over the toilet to plunge straight down. The rubber is solid - not that thin walled rubber which is weak and gets no suction. My hands are weak having had several surgeries on both - so the grip on this makes it easier to hold. A+ grade. If I could grade it higher I would.
2) FriedenDT Anti-Hand Off Stainless Steel Rubber Toilet Plunger,Sink Drain Plunger Powerful Efficient Double Thrust Force Cup,Heavy Duty,Patented Unique Premium Bathroom Toilet Plunger Suction Cup. This plunger looks "cool' and it is even heavier than the one above. Also a lot more expensive. It did not fit over the hole as securely as the above plunger and the handle was shorter but it is still very effective. I will give it an A- grade.
3) Master Plunger MP100-3 Heavy Duty Toilet Plunger Clears, Kitchen Sinks, Garbage Disposal and, Toilets Fast. Equipped with Patented Automatic Air Relief Valve, Black. I purchased one of these 3 years ago on Amazon. That one cracked where the handle meets the round plunger part so I purchased this one. It does work but it is thin material and the plunger will not last. The price reflects that. I purchased it only because I know it works...and I didn't know if the 2 "new" plungers above would work or not - this cheap but effective plunger was my backup since I was not going into the garage to find my other plungers. B grade in clearing a clog but F for longevity.
A few tips:
Buy large container of Dawn blue dish detergent (got mine at Samsclub). Pour a lot (directions vary on internet) into the clogged nasty toilet. Pour some Dawn dish detergent into bathroom sink also. (I don't pour it into my tub). If there is water in your toilet pour a LARGE pan of just barely tiny bubbling hot water directly over the toilet hole where most of water is. DO NOT pour it along the sides or in an empty toilet or get water too hot or might crack toilet bowl. The internet says to let it sit for hours or overnight...but I get in a hurry since I only have 1 bathroom so I usually heat up another large pot of water 3-4 times in a row and pour directly over hole and then wait. (don't flush). Then use plunger. Try to get someone to hold a regular plunger over the bathtub hole or just put the regular plunger over the bathtub hole while you plunge toilet - it helps me clear my clogged toilet.
I just cleared the nasty clogged toilet doing just this.
FYI....If you have a "newer home or a brand new 2020 built home...don't be too smug. Remember your HOUSE pipes are new....but odds are your water and sewer pipes in the ground are ancient. My 1950's neighborhood has dozens of older homes being torn down and brand new expensive McMansions going up and EVERY SINGLE new home has 1950's old cast iron pipes in the ground. Many of my new new neighbors in their newly built mortgaged homes are having to shell out the same money I am to replace thier old old cast iron pipes also.
BONUS - The large pots of hot water and Dawn, makes the "stuff" in your toilet to go down the toilet drain. . So even if you can't clear clog completely or right away doing the above FIRST several times.....cleans the toilet of yuck and smells so if you must use a plunger or call a plumber, it will not be such a gross experience for you or him. If you clear the toilet clog like I just did, your toilet bowl is sparkling clean .
If you insist on chemicals - only one brand worked for me. It is in a black plastic bottle at Home Depot. The bottle has a plastic bag over it. The black bottle says INSTANT POWER disolves hair and grease. ALL the other liquid chemicals and gimmicks (cans of air etc) do not work. I likely wasted my money on all of them.
Well my years long wearisome clogged toilet issue will be ending sometime in the next few months as I pay a plumber to replace the old pipes as I am tired of dealing with this every few weeks....but I don't mind passing on what I learned from others like the above tips and my toilet plunger experience.
| Brand | Korky |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Handle Material | Rubber |
| Specific Uses For Product | Toilet |
| Product Dimensions | 15.13"L x 7.88"W x 7.56"H |
| Material | Rubber |
| Special Feature | Durable |
| Shape | Round |
| Included Components | Handle |
| Surface Recommendation | Porcelain |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Item Weight | 0.01 Ounces |
| Manufacturer | Korky |
| Part Number | 99-4A |
| Item Weight | 0.01 ounces |
| Item model number | 99-4A |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Style | Non-Adjustable Handle |
| Finish | Black |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Water Consumption | 1 Liters |
| Number of Handles | 1 |
| Special Features | Durable |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
