[StephAnne04]

This is going to be a very gross topic so I have to warn you before I go into it... it's not pretty.

My toilet is backed up. The water from the toilet would overflow every time I flushed the toilet all over the floor. I tried the plunger... didnt work. I went out and bought an auger.. It went all the way down, but still didn't work. My guess, my daughter put a toy doen the toilet. All of this happened about a month ago. I just flat out don't have the money. Being a single mom with only a part time job can really hurt your finances. The problem is that even if I get the money, I'm embarrassed of my toilet. I haven't really used it, but there have been a couple times there were emergencies by not only me, but family as well, so it was used, but we didn't flush it. It's more than disgusting and its smells horrible, but I just don't know what to do to fix it. Is there ANY way I can fix this without calling a plumber?

[speedball1]

Don't panic StephAnne,

And, never never think you can "gross out" a plumber. The dudes that get grossed out don't stay plumbers too long.
Back to that nasty potty of yours. Do you have a male friend that I could walk through pulling the toilet? Because if you've plunged and augered the bowl then we have to find out if the blockage is in the bowl itself or farther on down the drain line and the only way is to pull it and check. If you think you have a gross situation now just wait until we pull the toilet. Hang in there. Tom

[StephAnne04]

I can always have my brother help me, but is this something I can't do on my own? I mean, my guess here is that there is a toy stuck underneathe the toilet. I have never taken apart a toilet, and I really don't know anyone who has, male or female.

[speedball1]

Pulling a toilet and going in from the bottom to remove a object hung up in there is a dirty messy job best left to us dirty messy plumbers. The toilet will have to be sponged and dipped out as much as possible. Then disconnected and lifted straight up and laid on its side, all the time bearing in mind that there's still a gallon of water left in the trap. Then you'll have to go in through the bottom with a bent coathanger and fish out whatever's in there.
Does this sound like something you could do by yourself? I strongly advise getting your brother involved. Regards, Tom

[StephAnne04]

Ugg this does sound like a mess... My brother really couldn't help me either.. I guess my only option to get a plumber. I'm guessing I should empty the bowl before the plumber gets here? Not sure the best way to do this... but I'm sure I'll figure it out... gross... anyway... thanks for your help I really appreciate it!

[iamgrowler]

ugg this does sound like a mess...My brother really couldnt help me either..I guess my only option to get a plumber. I'm guessing I should empty the bowl before the plumber gets here? Not sure the best way to do this...but i'm sure i'll figure it out...gross...anyway...thanks for your help i really appreciate it!

I carry around a Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum for just this type of job.

If you already have one, then you're already half way there.

[speedball1]

"I'm guessing I should empty the bowl before the plumber gets here? Not sure the best way to do this...but i'm sure i'll figure it out...gross...anyway"

If you don't have a shop vac, ( cleaning that out afterwards can be gross alao) the drill goes like this.
Shut the water off at the angle stop and flush most of the water out of the tank. Sponge out what's left. Now disconnect the supply from the tank and turn your attention to the bowl.
Put on a pair of rubber gloves and dip all the water out of the bowl that you can. Sponge out the rest. Good luck, Tom