It’s & We’re Always Open!
Whether it’s poo in Parsippany or sewage in Short Hills
a backup with your sewer line is not a pretty sight—or smell. Knowing how to deal with a sewer clog is Number Two but learning to prevent a sewer clog is Number One.
If in Doubt, Keep it Out
In your Boonton bathroom, you have a toilet, and you have a trash can. Train all family members to spot the difference, and use each appropriately:
- Toilet—Toilet paper, and what your body produces, from yellow to deuces
- Trash Can—Everything else
Beautiful Bowl
A toilet in Towaco and a commode in Cranford both deserve a little TLC, so be kind to your Lake Hopatcong hopper and it will return the favor, by running smoothly year after year. On the other hand, when you start flushing oddities, expect a little rebellion in the pipes. A sewer clog is your toilet’s way of letting you know it’s had enough of your… thoughtlessness… and it simply cannot take any more.
Avoid using your toilet to dispose of harsh chemicals, feminine products, paper towels, moist wipes, and hair. You can, of course, use bowl cleaners; but avoid strongly alkaline products, like lye or pure bleach.
Sewer Clog 911
A clog in a pipe resists water weight behind it, so your toilet bowl fills far above the normal level. Do not panic. Under the tank is the toilet’s shut-off valve. Lefty-loosey/righty-tightly; turn the handle completely to the right to stop water from entering the tank.
Still, stuck? Try a plunger. For every three or four downward plunges, pull back forcefully to create suction in the sewage pipe. This can pull the clog back, often allowing it, and all the brown, to gurgle on down.
Call a Plumber
For a stubborn sewer clog, call a professional plumber. There may be a structural issue with your sewer line, or simply a clog requiring some larger machinery.
