toilet discussion to here since it's not bird-related.

Dawn dish soap has been my go-to when I'm fighting flushing issues. I discovered the Dawn secret a couple of years ago. I don't think I've mentioned that the toilet is the original toilet to when the building was built. It's 41 years old. It's the original 1984 toilet.

I've resisted getting a new one because the pipes are the older cast iron ones. The older toilets push the water out with enough force to push things through but the newer toilets suck the water out and there's not enough force so frequent blockages down the line happen.

So I just maintain this one. I clean the holes under the rim regularly; I make sure the jet syphon hole doesn't develop mineral buildup; I pour warm vinegar into the water fill tube in the tank; periodically plunge; periodically do a bucket manual flush and when it's due, my plumber puts in a new flap. Not a universal one, but the part specific to the Kohler toilet model.

I've watched my plumber change it so many times that I should be able to do it on my own but he doesn't charge a lot so it's easier to let the pro do it.

Cathy