When it comes to household mishaps, a clogged toilet ranks high on the list of inconvenient and potentially embarrassing situations. The clogged toilets are one of the most common plumbing problems worldwide. Every year, countless households grapple with this inconvenience.
We’ve all been there – you flush the toilet, and instead of the water swirling down as expected, it starts to rise menacingly. As panic sets in, you frantically search for a solution to this plumbing predicament. Enter the unsung hero of bathroom emergencies: the plunger.
In this blog post, R.C. Gochenour and Son Plumbing LLC will help you delve into the world of plungers, uncovering their various types, understanding their usage by professional plumbers, and, most importantly, learn how to wield the master plumber plunger effectively.
So, whether you’re a DIY enthusiast looking to conquer plumbing challenges or simply curious about the intricacies of plungers, we’ve got you covered.
What is a Plunger?
A plunger is a plumbing tool that helps to remove blockages from sinks, toilets, and other drains.
The design of the plunger has been around for centuries, but it didn’t become popular until the Victorian era. The original design was made with leather or rubber to fit over the end of a stick and then pushed down into the drain to create suction. Modern plungers are made from different types of plastic or rubber, depending on their intended usage.
Plungers are most often used in drains that have been clogged by hair and other organic material.
Plungers work by creating suction in the drain and drawing out the clog. While plungers can be effective at removing small amounts of debris, they cannot remove large amounts of debris or hairballs.
5 Types of Plungers
When it comes to battling household plumbing issues, plungers are your trusty allies. These versatile tools come in various shapes and sizes, each designed to tackle specific types of clogs and obstructions. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of plungers and their intended uses, helping you become a plumbing superhero in your own home.
Cup Plunger: The All-Purpose Warrior
A cup plunger is the most common type of plunger, and it’s also the cheapest. This type of plunger is perfect for tackling clogs in sinks, bathtubs, and shower drains. The cup of the plunger sits at the bottom of the drain and forms a seal with the drain pipe, which allows you to push up from below. This type of plunger tends to be good for slow drains or clogged toilets but can be difficult to use in tight spaces.
Flange Plunger: The Toilet Troubleshooter
When it comes to toilet clogs, the flange plunger is your go-to hero. This plunger is specifically designed to fit the shape of toilet bowls, thanks to its soft rubber flange that extends from the cup. The flange creates a better seal, allowing for more effective plunging in toilets. It’s important to note that using a regular cup plunger on a toilet might not provide the required seal, making a flange plunger essential for toilet-related blockages.
Accordion Plunger: The Heavy-Duty Rescuer
The accordion plunger is a classic design that has been around for decades and works best when used on tougher clogs (think sink or toilet). This type of plunger expands outward as you push down on it and contracts when released so that you don’t have to use as much force when trying to clear out the clog. Accordion plungers are often preferred by professionals for their extra power and effectiveness.
Taze Plunger: The Specialty Unblocker
The taze plunger combines two different types of plungers into one: the accordion plunger and the cup-shaped flange. It looks like an accordion with a flat base, and it can be used in any type of drain pipe (including sinks). It’s ideal for situations where you need more power than other plungers can, but you don’t want to risk damaging your pipes by using too much force with an ordinary cup-shaped flange.
Power Plunger: The Modern Marvel
The power plunger is a marvel of modern technology. It combines high-speed suction with an advanced motor to create a powerful cleaning force that will get your toilet bowl sparkling clean in no time. It’s also eco-friendly, so you can feel good about keeping your bathroom safe for the environment.
What Would A Plumber Do With A Plunger?
Plumbers in Harrisonburg, VA, are the unsung heroes of your plumbing system. Without their expertise and expertise, you wouldn’t be able to flush your toilet or wash your dishes.
When faced with a variety of plumbing issues, professional plumbers often rely on a trusty tool that’s been around for ages: the plunger. Let’s explore some of the tasks that plumbers tackle using this versatile tool:
Unclogging Toilets
Plumbing issues happen all the time, but one of the most common is a clogged toilet. Plumbers like R.C. Gochenour and Son Plumbing LLC use a plunger to clear out the water that has built up in your toilet bowl, allowing you to flush again without any trouble.
Clearing Sink and Tub Drains
Clogged sink and bathtub drains can cause water to pool and create unpleasant odors. Plumbers use cup plungers to address these issues. By creating a tight seal over the drain opening, they generate suction that dislodges hair, soap scum, and other gunk accumulating over time.
Dealing with Shower Drains
Plumbing problems can be tough to troubleshoot, even for a seasoned pro. But there’s one issue that plumbers have to deal with on a regular basis: shower drains that aren’t draining properly. Shower drain issues can be caused by a variety of factors, from clogged pipes to excess soap buildup. When these issues occur, the best way for plumbers to solve them is by using a plunger. They’ll use the plunger in exactly the same way they would if they were unclogging any other drain—by inserting it into the drain and pushing up and down until the blockage is removed or dislodged—but because it’s such an accessible tool (most homes have at least one or two), it’s incredibly useful for dealing with all sorts of plumbing issues that occur frequently enough that having one around isn’t an option for most people (like clogged toilets).
Handling Floor Drains
Floor drains in basements, garages, and utility areas can become blocked by dirt, debris, and even small objects. Plumbers use plungers to unclog these drains, ensuring they can effectively remove excess water and prevent flooding.
Resolving Kitchen Sink Clogs
Kitchen sinks can become clogged due to food scraps, grease, and other waste. Plumbers employ cup plungers to dislodge these clogs and restore proper drainage. In cases where the clog is particularly stubborn, they might use a combination of plunging and snaking to clear the blockage.
Addressing Sewer Line Backups
In more severe cases, sewer line backups can occur due to blockages or tree root intrusions. While a plunger might not be the sole solution for these issues, it can help create enough pressure to push the obstruction further down the line, providing temporary relief until the underlying problem is addressed.
How To Use Master Plumber Plunger?
If you’ve ever tried to use a plunger, you know how frustrating it can be.
The plunger is one of those tools that seem simple on the surface but can be surprisingly complex in practice. It’s not quite as easy as it looks—you need to know the right way to do it to get the best results.
That’s where R.C. Gochenour and Son Plumbing LLC come in! We’ve compiled all our best tips and tricks for using a plunger like pros (and what NOT to do). Whether you’re just getting started or have been at it for years, these tips will help you get the most out of your plunger and avoid common pitfalls.
Choose the Right Plunger
You have to choose the right plunger for your job. If you want to clear out deep clogs, you’ll want a long plunger with a wide bowl and rubber flange at the end. For shallow clogs, or if you’re just trying to get some water out of a sink or tub, then a shorter plunger with a smaller bowl and flange will do just fine.
Create a Seal
The key to clearing out any clog is creating enough suction between your plunger and the drain to create enough force to yank whatever’s causing the clog right out of there! To do this, place the plunger directly over the drain hole and press down firmly before pulling up quickly—this should create an airless seal and give you enough leverage to pull up forcefully on the handle of your plunger when it comes time for step three!
Fill with Water
The next step is to fill your plunger with water. This will help get rid of any suction issues or air pockets that may prevent it from creating an effective seal over the drain hole. If the water level does not rise above the top of the plunger head, add more until it does.
Plunge Gently
Gently push the plunger down, compressing the air inside the cup. Then pull up, releasing the pressure. The back-and-forth motion creates suction that dislodges the clog. It’s crucial to maintain control and avoid using excessive force, which can damage the plumbing or break the seal.
Maintain Rhythm
A plunger must be plunged with a steady rhythm to work properly. If your plunges aren’t being timed correctly, the water won’t be able to escape from the drain as easily and won’t drain as quickly. Try counting “1-and-2” as you plunge and then “3-and-4” on the next plunge. This will help keep your rhythm steady so that you can more effectively clear out any blockages in your drain!
Use Full Strokes
The key to proper plunging is to keep your full strokes as long as possible—try not to break them into smaller parts as you go along. This will allow you to get more water out of the toilet bowl with each plunge than if you were using shorter strokes or breaking them up into several small movements at once instead of one big one at a time during each plunge cycle throughout the entire process until all the water has been removed from underneath the rim where it sits on top of everything else (including any debris or other objects that might have been left behind).
Be Patient
Effective plunging might take some time. Don’t give up too quickly if you don’t see immediate results. Continue the plunging process with patience and persistence.
Observe Progress
As you plunge your toilet, keep an eye on how far down the water level goes and how much of it comes back up again. You want to see that the water level is going down and not coming back up, or else you’ll just be wasting your time!
Avoid Splashing
While plunging, it’s important not to splash too much water around, or else it could make things worse by pushing some of the clogs back into a place where it was before. This can be avoided by ensuring that your plunger fits tightly over the top of your toilet bowl so that no extra water comes up when you’re clearing out your pipes!
Know When to Seek Help
If, after several attempts, the clog remains unyielding, it’s wise to recognize when it’s time to call a professional plumber. They have the expertise and tools to address more complex clogs and potential underlying issues.
7 Tips for Taking Care of Your Plunger
Plunger maintenance is a lot like taking care of your car. If you aren’t careful, it can be a slow-moving disaster that makes you late for work or, worse: stops working entirely.
So we’ve put together this list of tips to help you avoid the dreaded plunger slowdown!
- Don’t use rubber plungers in metal sinks or metal plungers in porcelain sinks—you’ll end up with rust spots all over the place!
- Always keep your plunger clean by rinsing it after each use and letting it air-dry before putting it away.
- When storing your plunger, don’t put it directly on a surface where food might fall into it—you don’t want mold growing inside there!
- If you’re trying to remove stuck-on food from the bottom of a pan, try using vinegar instead of soap—it will help break down the grease more easily than soap would.
- Don’t put your plunger down the toilet! It will clog your pipes; throw it in the trash or recycle bin instead.
- If you want to disinfect your plunger, you can use hydrogen peroxide or bleach to do so, but remember that it will also stain the rubber seal with these products (you can get rid of these stains by using toothpaste).
- Plungers have sharp edges on them that can cut skin if you’re not careful when handling them—so be careful!
What to Do When Plunger Fail?
Plunger fail? Try a plumbing snake or auger.
The key to using a plunger effectively is to ensure you’re using the right type for your plumbing situation. There are two types: plumber’s plungers and toilet plungers. Plumber’s plungers are meant for sinks, bathtubs, and toilets, while toilet plungers are only used on toilets.
If you think your sink or tub is clogged, but it turns out that the drain itself is clear and there’s no blockage in the pipes themselves, use a plumbing snake or auger. These tools are designed specifically for clearing out clogs in drains where other methods won’t work. You should be able to find them at any hardware store or home center.
Need Help with Unclogging Toilet Clogs? Call Professional Harrisonburg Plumbers Today!
If you’re tired of clogged toilets and want a solution that won’t break the bank, then your search ends here. R.C. Gochenour and Son Plumbing LLC is the Harrisonburg plumber you need to call when you have a problem with your toilet.
Our plumbing company can help with all kinds of issues involving toilets, from unclogging to installing new ones. We’ve been in business for decades and know how to get the job done right the first time. We use only high-quality parts that are guaranteed not to leak or break down immediately after installation.
Moreover, we offer a range of plumbing services and solutions, including:
- Toilet Installation
- Toilet Repair
- Toilet Replacement
- Toilet Clog Removal
- 24/7 Emergency Service
- Residential and Commercial Plumbing
- Drain Cleaning
- Faucet repair and installation
- Water Heater Installation and Repair
- Water Filtration System Installation
- Garbage Disposal Installation
- Sump pump repair and installation
- Repiping Solutions
- Annual Service Agreements
- And Many More…
Our team of experts can come out to your home or business and assess the situation, then work on solving it. They’ll use their years of experience and know-how to get your toilet working again as quickly as possible—and they won’t leave until they’ve done so! If there are other issues with your plumbing system, they’ll find them and address them too!
We know how stressful it is when something goes wrong with your plumbing system—especially when you’re dealing with an emergency like this one! That’s why our team works hard at being available 24/7 so that we can be there for our customers whenever they need us most.
If you’re sick of dealing with clogged toilets and need permanent Plumbing Solutions in Rockingham, give us a call today at 540 271 3393!
Don’t let clogged toilets or other plumbing issues get between you and enjoying your home or business property!
