I live upstairs. My neighbors just called saying I caused a clog in their toilet....

Question

They just called me in the middle of the night. They are 2 brothers about 30 years old that live below me and I'm a single mom, 23, with a 4 year old son. The one who called pressed *67 so the number didn't show up on my caller ID because it usually comes up with the name. He immediately started in saying "the next time you decide to flush a bloody tampon down the toilet....my toilet is backed up and my bathroom floor is covered in red water so the next time you throw a bloody tampon down the toilet..." etc etc. I was asleep so I managed to say "I don't even use tampons" and he's like "or a maxi pad or whatever the h**l it is" and repeated himself about the clog and the overflow and the "blood" and then I said "is this the people downstairs?" and he's like "YES it's the people downstairs. so, sweetheart, blah blah blah" about the tampon again and then swearing at the end. and hanging up on me.

1- my toilet is fine

2- i haven't had a period since last week

3- i don't use tampons

4- i never, ever have red blood (as gross as this is i have to include it), and i only use liners, not even pads, because I only spot during my period.

So- could I have caused this disgusting clog somehow or are they drunken a******s? How could it be my fault that their toilet is backed up when mine is completely fine, plus the other reasons I mentioned? I'm a little freaked out.

Answer 1

They are possibly getting back at your for complaining.

Don't feel responsible for this.  they are being immature and abusive.  

First don't answer calls if you can't see the number.  Just don't respond at all.  See if the ignoring method helps. Let the caller leave a message (I am assuming you have voice mail.) so that if it's not them you can call back.

Second if they ever do it again, and they are abusive or upsetting Tell them firmly to stop and to never contact you or bother you or your child again.

If they continue to be abusive do not be afraid to get a TRO.  (temporary restraining order) from the police, which requires them not to contact you and to stay away from you and your child.

Answer 2

For what it's worth, most toilets have a 2" (or so) trap-way, and dump into a minimum 3" - but often 4" - drain.  So if the toilet's clogged (and nothing else, like all the other fixtures) it's a clog in that specific toilet.  It didn't come from some other toilet.

Having said that, your problem is not a clogged toilet - which you did not cause, and would not have caused if you'd put an entire box of tampons in *your* toilet (you would most likely clog your own toilet).  It's your crazy downstairs neighbors.  Perhaps you should arm yourself.

Answer 3

The best way to handle these kinds of people is to turn the ringer off your phone when you go to bed,  If you dont want to do that you can let the call go to your answering machine.  In this way you dont have to deal with those types of people

Answer 4

Well... you don't flush anything right?  I mean, even liners.  I never toss them in the toilet...

I'd chalk it up to drunken idiots, and write down everything about this as you can with the date on it and make sure you talk to someone else.  And then if it happens again, or something else, then contact the police about harassment.  You can also block all *67 numbers so that they can't call you at all.

The fact is though... it may not even BE the folks below you.  Probably some idiot prank caller, some teen with nothing to do who's mommy didn't tuck him in tight enough, flipping open the phonebook and just calling whoever.  Maybe even an ex or enemy of yours.  I wouldn't worry about it really, but I would block all *67 numbers so this can't happen again.  Contact your phone provider about how to do that.

Answer 5

I'm sure it was a prank and they just wanted some of your attention.  Let the jerks know tomorrow that you'll let the landlord know they are having a problem, and then tell them not to call you, but to call the landlord if they have a problem.  If someone calls and blocks their number, don't answer it.  

Answer 6

I think you should notify the landlord.  If it was your neighbor there is no telling what they will do next.  Also you should not answer phone calls with blocked numbers.  Why would your neighbor block their number then tell you it is them?

Answer 7

Don't you love living in an apartment? My neighbors  (upstairs) had water coming into their bathroom for 2 days  and did not tell anyone! Finally the water came into my bathroom and ruined my ceiling. Good luck with those creeps!