Friday, February 1, 2013

How to Plunge a Toilet

(or, The Difference Between a Sink and Toilet Plunger)

Plungers work by sealing off the clogged area and forcing water through. The flat-bottomed plungers are ok, but don’t create the seal needed to really power through a clogged toilet. They are designed instead for use in sinks.

The proper toilet plunger has a large bulb and tapered ends as shown in green below. Place it in the toilet tightly and vigorously pump the plunger up and down while making sure to maintain the seal. (If it splashes, you’re lifting it too high.) Repeat until the clog dislodges.

A sink plunger and toilet plunger

Tips:
*  While a toilet plunger is best, a sink plunger will work in a pinch.
*  If your toilet is about to overflow, turn the metal handle at the back to shut off the water. Remember: Righty tighty!
*  When the water level is very low, it can be difficult to create a seal with the plunger. In that case, pour a few glasses of water in the bowl.

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