What should you do if you drop a lighter down the toliet?

[Antilogic]

It is well documented that plastic cigarette lighters that become lodged in the toilet drains are ticking time bombs. Literally. Continuous exposure to human waste and drain cleaners will erode the plastic body of the lighter and the lighter fluid will seep out and will immediately react with the grime and chemicals lining the pipe walls. This results in a fiery discharge from the toilet, if not a small explosion which will result in damage costing tens of thousands of dollars.

I suggest that the OP calls a professional plumber IMMEDIATELY (specifically one who is qualified to deal with lodged lighters) to make sure that the lighter is not lodged in the pipes. I highly doubt that any of us in OT have the training to deal with a situation like this. Even if there was someone here who could try to walk you through the process, CFC could be held liable if you ended up burning your face off when you made a slight mistake. So it's just not worth the risk.

Call the professionals!

I've done worse to toilets after a night of Indian food--my brother describes it as playing Russian roulette with your digestive system. 'nuff said.

Most places these days the sewers are kept separate from the storm drains. But they still do get debris in them and are filtered out. Occupational hazard.

Should be, but I'm assuming it's a worst-case where the town hasn't had its piping upgraded in ages. I assumed he was in the US or a West European country, but looking back I don't see why I did that.

Just a quick story on this...
In some countries, the pipage is not quite as wide... they don't use toilet paper, after all... but rather they rinse with water and their hand.

Vomit.

True story though.

Nothing has made me appreciate the US more than getting back from a week-long trip to Saudi Arabia. Yes, I'm also referring to bathroom facilities here.

 

[IAM]

Was the lighter a disposable plastic one or an expensive metal job? If plastic it has some float to it. Pour an extra gallon of water in the toilet and spread out sheets of toilet paper to cover the water. The addotional water will provide more pressure and the toilet paper will help to froce the item out. More than likely it's already gone.

If it's a metal lighter or some other heavy material and you can't fish it out then force it through the pipes with a plumbers snake. Once either lighter is past the toilet bends and drain it will be OK. If your home has a septic tank instead of municipal sewer lines it will just end up in the tank and get pumped out when you have the tank pumped every three years or so.

In general if the water drains OK then there's nothing there. Oh and you should see some of the crap I've put into toilets.

 

[BvBPL]

Yeah, it was a plastic Bic. Toilet seems to be fine. Out of sight, out of mind is my mantra now. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Disgustipated]

Keep in mind for future reference toilets do come off. Although usually you can just reach your hand in there and grab whatever is down there. But say you get something clogged in there like a rag (you shouldn't be flushing rags, but you never know with kids and all). Something like a rag you can maybe reach from the bottom side of the toilet if you can't get it by putting your arm in there. Also a toilet auger is handy to have, but most people have no reason to have one at a personal residence. Snakes are good to have too. I got a little hand operated snake (that sounds funny, but you know what I'm talking about), but of course that would never catch something like a lighter.

 

[Silurian]

I would reluctant to put my hand down a public toilet, or one where anyone has access, too a point where you cannot see. People put strange stuff in toilets, some of which is dangerous such as needles.

 

[Takhisis]

Then… use a plunger?

 

[Silurian]

Then… use a plunger?

Exactly or in this case just give the toilet an extra flush or two.

 

[Disgustipated]

I would reluctant to put my hand down a public toilet, or one where anyone has access, too a point where you cannot see. People put strange stuff in toilets, some of which is dangerous such as needles.

I don't even want to touch the handle of a public toilet (although at work they do a good job cleaning them). I agree completely. Public toilets are just the most horrible thing imaginable. Public toilets have caused me to hate all men. Surely women can't be as disgusting as men. Why can't these jerkwads raise the toilet seat before pissing? I refuse to sit on a toilet seat that has piss all over it (even if it is mostly sterile). I like to think women don't piss all over the toilet seat. I hate men so much. /endrant.

 

[Antilogic]

I don't even want to touch the handle of a public toilet (although at work they do a good job cleaning them). I agree completely. Public toilets are just the most horrible thing imaginable. Public toilets have caused me to hate all men. Surely women can't be as disgusting as men. Why can't these jerkwads raise the toilet seat before pissing? I refuse to sit on a toilet seat that has piss all over it (even if it is mostly sterile). I like to think women don't piss all over the toilet seat. I hate men so much. /endrant.

As someone who used to clean restrooms during his ever-hated high school job, I can say there wasn't much difference, the women's room was usually as filthy as the men's.

 

[PlutonianEmpire]

As someone who used to clean restrooms during his ever-hated high school job, I can say there wasn't much difference, the women's room was usually as filthy as the men's.

I've heard horror stories of janitors having to clean up menstrual blood.

And I've also heard that menstruating women make their public restrooms stink like you wouldn't believe every second or third week of every month.

 

[Terxpahseyton]

Totally a sign. Stop smoking!

Gosh, shut up. That is what my mum used to say in a petty half-ass attempt to influence me in a cheerful and subtle way. Always.

 

[Cutlass]

I wouldn't take the toilet up if you could clear it in any other way. It's a lot of work and a lot of mess.

 

[NickyJ]

Great job everyone. Now I'm not going to be able to sleep at night for next eight or nine years.

 

[Quackers]

Lube up your arm and get stuck in that toilet. If your arm is long enough you should be able to reach it.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

I've heard horror stories of janitors having to clean up menstrual blood.

And I've also heard that menstruating women make their public restrooms stink like you wouldn't believe every second or third week of every month.

As a janitor, I'd prefer if we just didn't talk about such things. Its my weekend.

 

[Silurian]

Lube up your arm and get stuck in that toilet. If your arm is long enough you should be able to reach it.

You should be careful, haven't you seen Deep Rising

 

[Takhisis]

Lube up your arm and get stuck in that toilet. If your arm is long enough you should be able to reach it.

You don't need the lube to get stuck in the toilet. You need it not to get stuck in there.

 

[NickyJ]

As a janitor, I'd prefer if we just didn't talk about such things. Its my weekend.

Hear, hear!

 

[Quackers]

you don't know the meaning of "stuck" in this context brah

 

[Takhisis]

I'm being as obnoxiously literal-minded, Quacks. A long-standing CFC tradition, I hear.