Anyone faced with a clogged toilet or drain could have a bad day in store, but with a trusty plunger, you can usually make light work of what's otherwise a dirty job. In most cases, a decent plunger is an easy, effective DIY plumbing tool for addressing basic plumbing problems.
Plungers come in all shapes and sizes (like toilets), so it’s important to know which style of toilet plunger is best for your blockage. Some plungers are specifically designed for declogging toilet bowls, while others are better suited for tackling sinks or shower drains. Here's a look at both and some tips and tricks on how to use a plunger efficiently and effectively.
What can cause a toilet to become blocked?
Toilets are designed to handle human waste and small amounts of toilet paper, but flushing excessive amounts of the latter can, along with several other factors, lead to obstructions and cause blockages. However, toilet paper is not the only thing that can lead to blockages. Your toilet may become blocked in many different ways, and some are less obvious than others.
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According to The Spruce , toilet clogs are often caused by the flushing of foreign materials (non-soluble items), such as disposable wipes, feminine hygiene products, cotton swabs or balls and hair. While flushing such items may seem like a good idea, they’re not designed to be disposed of in this way, and doing so can put undo strain on your flushing system. Obstructed vents, damaged sewer lines, water flow issues, or a low-flow toilet (which uses less water than a standard one) can all contribute to a blocked toilet.
How to plunge a blocked toilet
Whatever the reason, if you have a blocked toilet, the most direct way to tackle the problem is to use a toilet plunger. First, you should ensure you have the right plunger for the job. According to The Home Depot , several types of plungers can effectively clear a toilet clog. These include Flange, Beehive and Tier Plungers.
According to Lowe’s , each plunger type has its pros and cons, making them more suitable for different types of clogs or blockages.
Flange plungers
These are the most common type of plunger, featuring a wide, flat flange (or lip) at the end. The plunger head is designed to fit over the drain hole entirely, making it a good choice for most toilet blockages, though it is arguably less effective for dealing with hair clogs.
Beehive Plungers
As the name suggests, it has a large, beehive-shaped head. They are useful for unclogging hair in sinks and showers but can also be used for clearing toilet clogs.
Tiered Plungers
These have bulb-shaped heads with multiple tiers of varying sizes. Tiered Plungers are effective at clearing drain clogs. However, they can also be used to clear toilet blockages.
Once you select a suitable plunger, use it to create a tight seal around your toilet’s drain hole. A good seal is essential for creating suction, which is what a plunger needs to do its job. Once the plunger has a good seal, you should be ready to start plunging.
Note, however, that aggressive plunging is a bad idea, according to Cincinnati plumbing specialists Thomas & Galbraith . Your plunger head will be full of air after insertion, which can lead to splashbacks if your plunging style is too aggressive. The trick is to engage a few gentle plunges to release the air from the plunger cup before tackling the blockage.
Once you’ve done this, while applying a reasonable amount of pressure to your plunger, gently move it up and down, then release the pressure after a few minutes to check whether the blockage has been dislodged. If the blockage has not been cleared, repeat the process.
If this methodical plunging fails to achieve results, you may need to snake your toilet. To do this, you’ll need a toilet auger (or drain snake), a long wire coil with a corkscrew tip. The wire coil is housed in a protective sleeve to prevent scratches on your toilet bowl as you feed it through the toilet's S-bend.
Family Handyman's advice on how to snake a toilet is relatively straightforward. The first step is to prep the area and clear space for any mess. Keep a bucket handy for cleanup and, of course, wear rubber gloves. Next, you’ll need to insert the end of the auger into your toilet bowl, then carefully turn the handle so the cable can extend down the drain to the source of the clog. When the cable meets resistance, you have likely found the clog. At this point, gently push the auger back and forth, then crank the cable back. This will start to break down the clog so it’s small enough to be flushed.
With the clog broken down, remove the cable from your toilet and clean up any mess with your bucket. Try flushing your toilet to see if the obstruction has been cleared, and repeat the process if you’re still unable to flush the toilet normally.
If you tried unclogging your toilet with a plunger and an auger but still couldn't clear the blockage, it may be time to call a plumber. You can read our guide to average toilet repair costs for details on what that might cost you.
How to use a plunger to clear a drain clog
If you’re dealing with a stubborn blockage in your sink or shower drain, the best tool for the job is likely a Cup Plunger, according to Lowe’s . As the name suggests, cup plungers have cup-shaped heads and are best used on flat surfaces like sink holes due to the powerful vacuum they create. They are less effective at clearing toilet blockages and cannot create a tight enough seal over the toilet drain to produce the. necessary suction.
According to New York-based drainage specialists Balkan Sewer & Drain Cleaning , it’s important to ensure your sink plunger is thoroughly cleaned and cleared of debris before use. Failure to do so could compromise the seal, making it less effective.
Sink plungers should be placed directly over the drain hole (not at an angle), and a firm downward plunge should release trapped air from the plunger head. Pulling the plunger head back up should create suction, allowing you to continue with a series of steady plunges while maintaining a good amount of pressure over the seal.
This method should generate enough force to begin breaking up whatever is causing the blockage. After several steady plunges, pause to check if it's working. If you have standing water in your sink, check if the water level has reduced or listen for signs of gurgling in the drain.
If the signs are encouraging, recommence plunging until the drain is clear. Next, run hot water down the sink, as this will help pick up any remaining loose debris, carry it down the drain and prevent the clog from reforming.
Although plunging a sink should (in most cases) be less messy than unblocking a toilet, it’s still important to clean your sink plunger afterward. This will help to maintain its effectiveness for future use and keep surfaces clean while it’s stored.
How to prevent toilet and drain clogs
Preventing clogs often comes down to what goes down your drains. Toilets are designed to handle human waste and small amounts of toilet paper. Items like wipes, paper towels and hygiene products can increase the chance of blockages, even if they are labeled “flushable.”
In sinks and showers, hair and soap residue are common causes of buildup, according to Paws Plumbing in San Diego. Using a drain strainer and occasionally running hot water through the pipes may help reduce the chances of a clog forming. If blockages happen frequently, the issue could be related to the plumbing system itself and may require professional inspection.
