“You ever go to a big party, go in the bathroom, flush the toilet and the water starts coming up? This is the most frightening moment in the life of a human being. You’ll do anything to stop this. You’ll lose your mind and start talking to the toilet. ‘No please, don’t do this to me!’ ” Jerry Seinfeld

 Yikes.. has that ever happened to you? Here is a tip if it ever does: if you flush once and the water rises dangerously high, DO NOT flush again! You should quickly remove the tank lid and push the tank ball down to close the flush valve.

Once that’s under control, lets explore the different drainage cases that could be happening:

Scenario 1:  If the bathroom sink does not back up but the toilet is backing up then the blockage is somewhere in the toilet or drain line.The clog may be the result of an object dropped into the toilet, such as a toy or a washcloth, then it is best to try to fish it out, rather than force it farther along. Other clogs resulting from normal flushed waste may be cleared with the use of a plunger or closet auger. First lets try to use a plunger to dislodge anything that may be trapped in the toilet bowl drain.

If the bowl is full, put on some gloves and bail out water until the bowl is only half full. 

If the bowl is empty, add water to fill it to half full. Make sure to have some towels around the area to avoid a mess !

 Place the plunger in the bowl and completely cover the drain opening. With the plunger completely under water, press and pull it rapidly for 15-20 seconds. If you see something stuck in the drain opening, you can use a stiff wire to drag it back into the bowl. If you dislodge the item, pour a gallon or so of water into the bowl before you flush.

The water should drain to its normal level and stay there.

Scenario 2: If the sink (or some other bathroom drain) is backing up, then the clog is farther along in the drain line. A cable/auger would need to be used in this case. You can try yourself by renting one from your local Home Depot or call PAPA to come in. We have cables of all sizes, and if need be a high pressure hydro jetting machine.

Scenario 3: If drains elsewhere in the house are backing up, then the problem is likely to be somewhere in the sewer line. The best thing to do in that case is to call PAPA ! 

I leave you with this plumbing song by Weird Al.. he is hilarious !!: 

“B-b-b-baby, I can tell you’ve got a big problem

When I flush the john, then your shower goes on

(Baby) Now watcha gonna do?

If Drano’s a joke and your plunger is broke

Baby, call the mensch with a monkey wrench

(Baby) He’ll be there for you”

“Got a problem with plumbing?

Gotta blame it on something

Blame it on the drain it was cloggin’, cloggin’

Blame it on the faucet that drips all night

If hairballs, grease and goo

Won’t let the water through

Blame it on the drain, yeah, yeah”

ENJOY YOUR SUNDAY VANCOUVER !!