I think part of the problem of needing a plunger as a permanent bathroom accessory is the advent of those damnable low-flow toilets. You GOTTA wonder how much water is actually saved when you have to flush two or three times (or more!) for your “present” to go away.
Dave Barry once wrote a column about his opinion of those low-flow toilets. He wants to smuggle in the old version from Canada.
Anyway… There ARE improved low-flow toilets that are vastly better than the early models. In the case where it’s one of those minimal water use fixtures, replace it with a new one.
If you know it’s a sewer problem, bad news: it’s probably going to cost a LOT of money. Anything from tree roots in the main line to a septic tank needing to be pumped, or even an overwhelmed drain field. Count on a sobbing checkbook.
Some municipalities accepted shoddy work when the sewer systems were constructed. Many are falling apart, and with reduced revenues, the repair/replacement plans are scheduled “one of these days.”
Any or all of these explanations would cause a flushing problem, and a garbage disposal or macerating system will NOT help.
(Besides, do you know how DISGUSTING that sounds??)
A HUGE problem with the concept of installing a grinder in the toilet (aside from the aesthetics) is that people would use the toilet for an all-purpose garbage can. If you are on a septic system, that would be like slitting your own throat.
Without getting TOO descriptive, septic systems are a controlled decomposition process. Under most conditions, the system will take care of itself. If the volume exceeds the capacity, though, you run into trouble. Part of the reason it works so well is that black water is supposed to contain only bodily waste, and that is already partially digested and inoculated with the proper bacteria needed to make the system work.
A kitchen sink with a garbage disposal puts a greater load on a septic system. The typical leftovers, scraps, science projects from the back of the refrigerator, and grease, all require a much longer time span to completely break down in the septic tank. Unless you have an extra large capacity tank installed to begin with, you’ll probably require regular pumping of the contents to keep everything flowing without problems.
Now, let’s turn our thoughts to rainbows, flowers, sunsets, walks on the beach…ANYTHING besides toilets!
~VOW