A somewhat recent NY Times article explains the connection between ALDH2 deficiency and throat cancer. Request for perspective on level of risk and appropriate response in extended. [more inside]
posted by Busoni on Jun 13, 2009 - 4 answers

My toilet is flushing slowly. Sometimes it takes 3+ flushes to completely remove waste. I have completely replaced all of the internals, and tried the CLR method. I have even manually cleared out the return / fill holes. It has helped some, but not enough. I think I need to use something stronger than CLR, like muriatic acid. The problem is I am on a septic tank and everything I read says do not use the muriatic acid method if you are on septic as it will kill all of the beneficial bacteria in the septic tank. So, my thoughts are to use the muriatic acid to clean out the bowl, but before the first flush, use baking soda to neutralize the acid as much as possible. Then flush. After about a week, add some RidX to help restore some of the lost bacteria and after another week or so, add another box of RidX. Is this a sound plan or should I abandon the muriatic acid idea completely?
posted by twistedmetal on Sep 15, 2008 - 17 answers

Why do so many guys flush the urinal before they use it? Honestly, I've wondered this forever. Is it a "visually stimulating" thing? Or do you just want to close your eyes and picture yourself in front of a waterfall? Or do you need to hear/see water flowing to actually go yourself? Seriously... Something like half the people around me at the urinal walls do this. Why?
posted by namewithhe1d on Jul 29, 2008 - 39 answers

All of a sudden my toilet hisses when I flush it. As well as being an annoying sound, it also refills the tank very slowly. I'm no handyman but I'm loathe to pay a plumber if it's something simple I can fix myself. In the video I push the float down to demonstrate what happens on flush. Any ideas? flush video
posted by razzman on Oct 24, 2007 - 8 answers

So, I've got this red splotch on my chest. I've only had it since a sunburn last year, and it gets redder if I'm flushed. [more inside]
posted by lisawin on Jun 15, 2007 - 6 answers

I've noticed some of the women in my office flush the toilet before they do any of their business. Does anyone know what superstition or purpose this is supposed to help with?
posted by agregoli on Feb 8, 2007 - 48 answers

Why do toilets in private homes generally have a tank, whereas in most commercial/public/dormitory/stadium/etc. restrooms they do not have a tank? [more inside]
posted by wondercow on Nov 17, 2006 - 16 answers

Long term side effects of using Pepcid AC to combat the Asian Flush? [more inside]
posted by MaverickX on Oct 22, 2006 - 4 answers

PlumbingFilter: Help me understand my new tankless toilet with no shut-off valve. What do I do if it clogs? [more inside]
posted by WCityMike on Jan 20, 2006 - 6 answers

I have heard that some people have successfully used Pepcid AC to combat the effects of the so-called "Asian Flush"--the condition where an indivdual experiences severe flushing of the face after consuming a small amount of alcohol. What is the basis for this claim if any?
posted by reformedjerk on Oct 1, 2005 - 11 answers

Autoflush-filter: My company's new building has fancy new toilets that are supposed to flush themselves. I get there early in the morning, and for a while, the toilets appear to be 'hyper', and will flush multiple times while on the throne. Later in the day, it's almost like they become 'fatigued', and sometimes fail to flush even once per use. I also seem to get them going when I wear striped or camo shirts to work. Anyone know how these little beauties work, and what might might be making for the variations noted?
posted by ackptui on Feb 7, 2005 - 17 answers