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Triple master contractor Ed Del Grande
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By Ed Del Grande
Q: Hi, Ed. You're not going to believe this, but I accidentally flushed my wife's favorite hair clip down the toilet! I have used a plunger and a toilet snake but still can't get it out. Finally, I removed the toilet and turned it upside down and still nothing! I can hear it rattling, anything else I can try before I smash the toilet to get out the hair clip? P.S. I didn't tell her yet what is stuck in the toilet. She''ll be mad if I can't get it out. Bill (Wyoming)
A: Wow, Bill, this is quite a story. Something tells me that once your wife finds out her favorite hair clip is stuck in the toilet, it won't be her favorite hair clip anymore — and she won't want it back! So don't go smashing the toilet; it will just make an unsafe mess. Toilets are made from porcelain, and it would be like breaking a pile of glass.
I have seen many objects from kids' toys to toothbrushes get stuck in toilets. Many times they can be removed, but in some cases, like yours, the objects can actually become imbedded in the trap, and try as you might it will not come out.
Your best bet at this point is to cut your losses and install a new toilet. Since you already have the old toilet off, this should not be a big job. A new quality toilet can cost you anywhere from $150 to $300, depending on the type you get. So it's not the end of the world.
Tell your wife that since you trashed her hair clip, she can pick out any style of toilet and toilet seat that she wants, and you'll put it in for her with no questions asked. Moral of this story is: A wife may loose her favorite hair clip but gain a lovely toilet in return!
Ed Del Grande was born and raised in a family-owned plumbing business. With more than 25 years of experience in every aspect of construction, he holds current Master licenses in pipefitting, fire protection and plumbing. If you have a question for Ed, send him an e-mail at eddelgrande@hgtvpro.com.
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