The toilet did eventually drain. But the plastic flange at the base was partially melted, and the rubber wax ring had turned to goo. Carlos replaced both, charged her $200, and handed her a plunger. “This,” he said, “is all 90% of people need.”
“No, no, no,” she whispered, plunger already in hand. how to use caustic soda to unblock toilet
She spent the next hour mopping the bathroom floor with vinegar to neutralize the spills, then called a plumber. The plumber, a calm man named Carlos, looked at the etched porcelain and said, “Next time, just call me. Caustic soda works—but it also eats old pipes, kills septic bacteria, and blinds people who lean over too fast.” The toilet did eventually drain