Tips on How to Effectively Use a Plunger
This Roto-Rooter video will show you how to plunge a toilet like a professional plumber as well the proper equipment every home should have in order to deal with a clogged toilet. Save time, money and aggravation by spending a few minutes to learn how to plunge a toilet like the professional Roto-Rooter plumbers. Call Roto-Rooter if you need professional help to unclog your toilet.
From the Blog: How To Unclog a Toilet
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Toilet clogged? Let Roto-Rooter show you how to plunge it like a pro.
Just about everyone has faced a clogged toilet at one time or another. It can be a stressful situation when you push the flush handle but the bowl won’t drain. It gets worse if the toilet bowl continues to fill and threatens to overflow.
The moment you realize the toilet isn’t draining and the bowl is filling, the first thing you need to do is prevent an overflow.
First, remove the tank lid and, depending on what kind of toilet you have, lift the ball float or fill valve. Water will immediately stop filling the tank. But to stop water from flowing from the tank into the bowl, remove the water line from the overflow tube or push down on the flapper valve.
Next, turn off the water shut-off valve behind the toilet. This will prevent more water from reaching the toilet.
Now you’re ready to deal with the toilet blockage but make sure you have the right plunger. The red shallow cupped model is actually a sink plunger so it’s not very effective on toilets. But the black plunger is specifically designed for toilets. It has a deeper cup and a flange at the bottom that seals around toilet drains.
A toilet plunger works by forcing pressure against the blockage in the toilet's U-trap. The force should push the clog out so the bowl can drain.
Remember, you need water in the bowl to plunge effectively so if the bowl is empty, allow more water to flow into the bowl before plunging.
Now grasp the plunger with both hands and seat it carefully around the drain in order to create a good seal. Then give the plunger several forceful thrusts. Ten or twelve rapid thrusts will usually clear out most soft clogs. You may have to repeat the process several times to break up stubborn clogs.
If the blockage is solid, like a child’s toy, the plunger may or may not dislodge it. And if the clog is beyond the toilet, deep inside the branch drain or main sewer, a toilet plunger won’t help.
To clear a major clog, call a plumber. If your problem is serious, a plumber is well equipped to deal with any issues involving your home’s drain system.
Remember, your Roto-Rooter plumber is available 24 hours a day and we’re only a click or call away.
Call Roto-Rooter, that’s the name, and away go troubles down the drain. Roto-Rooter!
The plunger is plumbing's best-kept secret. A plunger is great at helping dislodge basic clogs in your sinks, showers, tubs, and floor drains. Following is a brief summary on how you can effectively use a plunger on all your drains.
EFFECTIVE PLUNGING TECHNIQUES
It may seem intuitive to use a plunger, but it is a little more complex than most people realize. The most important aspect of using a plunger is keeping a tight seal over the opening the entire time. Plungers work by trapping water, which is then forced through the pipe when you push and pull on the plunger handle. In order for this back and forth movement to dislodge clogs, the plunger must form a watertight seal around the pipe. The following tips will help your plunging efforts be more effective regardless of where you are plunging:
- Always keep a tight seal over the opening the entire time you are plunging.
- If you have a stiff plunger, pour hot water over it to soften the rubber before plunging.
- Start with a gentle push to get the air out of the cup. Any air that remains in the cup will compress and reduce the effectiveness of your efforts.
- Keep the plunger vertical when you plunge. Plunging with the handle at an angle reduces the amount of force you can leverage.
- Don't use chemicals and a plunger at the same time. The chemicals could splash out of the water and onto your skin."
USE FIRM PRESSURE ON THE UPWARD AND DOWNWARD MOTION
Make sure to have the rubber flange pulled out to get a better seal on the drain. The upward and downward motion of the plunger is equally important. You are forcing water in both directions to loosen the clog so you need to use firm pressure and quick, forceful thrusts throughout the entire process.
After about 15 to 20 seconds, check to see if the problem has been corrected. You may need to plunge several times to get the results you need. You may also consider pouring several cups of hot (not boiling) water from waist level into the toilet bowl. This is often effective in helping to break up the source of the clog and it can make it easier to get a good plunge.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLUNGER FOR THE JOB
In most cases, it is best to use a flange type plunger for a clogged toilet and a standard cup plunger for the sink, tub or shower. It is advisable to have separate plungers for the toilet and sinks to prevent contamination. You may also consider wearing gloves throughout the process to protect your skin from any back-splash.
Choose a quality plunger with soft rubber to provide a better seal. You can also soften the plunger by running it under hot water. If the toilet is not draining properly or is filling up with water, prevent overflowing by turning the water off using the valve behind the toilet. Make sure to also drape a towel over and around the toilet bowl and place paper towels or newspaper on the floor to catch any water that may spill out.
TAKE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO AVOID A FUTURE PROBLEM
The only thing worse than a drain clog is having the same problem again soon after. Fortunately, there are a number of ways that you can prevent toilet clogs from happening again, such as routine maintenance, effective enzyme treatments, using toilet paper that dissolves thoroughly, and avoiding flushing anything besides toilet paper and human waste. Roto-Rooter can provide you with more information and solutions to help you prevent the problem from happening again.
MORE JOBS FOR THE PLUNGER
LUNGING A SINK AND TUB
If you have a bathroom sink that is blocked, try using a plunger before you use chemical drain cleaners or attempt more invasive procedures. Be sure to use a sink plunger (without a funnel, or flange). Put a wet rag into the overflow opening to prevent air from escaping and remove the drain pop-up assembly before plunging.
PLUNGING A SHOWER OR FLOOR DRAIN
When removing clogged drains in a floor drain make sure the plunger is sealed tightly against the floor. As with sinks and tubs, use a plunger without a funnel or flange.
PLUNGING A KITCHEN SINK
Plunging a kitchen sink requires the same techniques as the bathroom sink with a slight difference; the kitchen sink doesn't have an overflow opening. However, if you have a divided sink with a drain in each section you will need to block the openings in the sections you are not plunging.
Not every household clog can be cleared with a plunger. Your next step is to try using a drain snake. If you are still unsuccessful, you may have a bigger plumbing issue and you need to call an expert. Roto-Rooter professionals are available 24 hours a day to handle any bathroom plumbing emergency.