Have you had a Saniflo disaster? Tell us your story in the comments below (we promise not to laugh… much).

We’ve all been there. You press the button on your Saniflo toilet, and instead of the satisfying whir of the macerator, you hear a low hum, a gurgle, or—worse—nothing at all. Then comes the dreaded sight: the water level in the bowl is rising, not falling.

Before you panic and call a plumber (which can get expensive, fast), let’s talk about how to unblock a Saniflo safely. It is not like unblocking a normal toilet. The Golden Rule: NO Standard Plungers Repeat after me: Do not use a standard toilet plunger.