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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.
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:
The most common use for a plunger is to get rid of a toilet clog. Toilets require a specific type of plunger, called a flange plunger, which features a funnel on the end of the cup. The flange should be inserted into the opening in the bottom of the toilet bowl. The flange helps ensure that you maintain a watertight seal while plunging.
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.
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 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.
Once you have a secure seal, plunge firmly straight up and down for 30 seconds. You can do this a few times, but for very stubborn clogs, you may have to call a professional.