True Home Depot encounter ... Was looking for the supply lines for the new sink setup and happened on the "Plumbing Associate" trying to help a lady and her teenage daughter select a new plunger. I decided to wait a few moments and heard this conversation.
"That one doesn't work," the lady said. "It is embarrassing but the toilet is clogged with ... you know ... and the plunger doesn't help."
"What did you do?" asked the P.A.
"I put DRANO in the toilet, waited 10 minutes then poured two containers of hot water, then waited 10 minutes and tried plunging it again," she recited.
"OH MY GOD," my brain shouted.
"LADY, do not do that!" I said out loud. "That solution is caustic and you could get burned or blinded! Do not EVER do that again!"
The three of them looked at me, mouths open. The teenage girl giggled.
"If you don't know how to use a snake, I guarantee the stuff in there will loosen in a few hours." I added. Use this plunger here and use it vigorously."
She sheepishly took the power plunger ...
As I turned away, I added, "Oh, and start eating more vegetables and salads and fiber ... "
I found the supply line on my own and left ...