When it rains it @#$%ing pours

[jeriendhal]

So last wekk the powder room toliet jammed up, and being a thrifty minded sort I tried to plunger it, to no avail. So then I dropped some Roto-rooter enzyme cleaner down it, hoping that might unjam the leak. No good either.

So over the past few days I've been dithering about calling Roto-rooter, not wanting to spend $250 bucks. Except now it looks like I'm going to have to spend a lot more, because I go into the back of the basement to find the toilet's wax seal has given way, probably due to my over-vigorous plunging, and has been leaking for at least a couple of days. :( It's been going straight down the pipe so I don't think there's any floor damage, but's going to COST MONEY to fix the damned thing. Money which I don't really have except by running up more credit card debt.

The only out I may have is that replacing the seal is a relatively simple operation. I just have to have help pulling out the toilet and replacing it, since lifiting it won't be a one person job.

So, anyone in the Columbia/Baltimore area want to give me a hand this weekend and save me from putting even MORE in fucking debt?

Comments

[mehhayperson.livejournal.com]

Aaaaw. :( You know I'd help, but I'm going up to Boston this weekend. Hope everything goes well anyway though...

[lilfluff.livejournal.com]

Dang, that sounds annoying. I know it was annoying when our toilet backed up. Just for fun the kitchen sink is making occasional threats to plug up as well.

I'd offer to help, but Google suggests it would be a 1 day 10 hour drive. I'm not even certain if I could cover the cost of gas.

[jvowles.livejournal.com]

I'll phone you on the way home. I may be able to help but it will really depend on how things go.

It hasn't been all that long since I replaced my toilet, so some of the process remains fresh in my mind and I can always phone dad for pointers....but honestly? Not that big a deal. I've got a bit of an issue with my own toilet so pooling our resources may be productive.

Your more worrisome situation will be the issue of what's clogging the drain. With Thomas's little toilet obsession, I fear you may find something has been flushed that oughtn't, and that may be costly.

If nothing else, I can lend you a pretty decent little home repair guide that lays out steps for common repairs.

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

You're a lifesaver, Jim. I've got a good idea what's causing the jam, since previously Tom had developed a fascination with flushing sheets of (clean, thank God) TP down the drain. I've already got a drain snake that I can use to unclog the jam once we get the seat off the floor.

Let me know what I can do to help you with your problem as well.

[jeriendhal.livejournal.com]

BTW Send me an email instead. I'm taking Tom to his gym class tonight so I won't be home until 7:30.

[chewipaka.livejournal.com]

You pick crap weekends for me to have these kind of issues, because I'd totally help: if I didn't have a final MAP BOOK and a midterm on Monday.

I wish you luck!