How to Choose the Right Plunger for Maximum Results
How to Choose the Right Plunger for Maximum Results
If you thought all plungers were the same, we’re here to open your eyes to a whole new world of bathroom plumbing solutions. That plunger in your bathroom discreetly hidden behind the toilet may work well for a clogged bowl, but if you need to use it to unclog a bathtub drain or kitchen sink you may be out of luck. The size and shape of a plunger’s compression container – the suction cup – and the material it is constructed from matters a great deal when attempting to unclog drains. Armed with the correct plunger, you’ll have better success and a lot less frustration.
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Sink Plunger
A standard sink plunger is constructed with a bell-shaped compression container made of rubber. The suction cup is attached to a plastic or wooden handle. The design of a sink plunger is the same across the board with the only exception being the suction cup size. This style of plunger works great to unclog a tub or sink because it suctions to a flat surface and can create a powerful enough vacuum to remove the clog. However, if you tried using this kind of plunger for a clogged toilet, you won’t have as good of results.
Best Plunger for Toilets
It’s easy to confuse a sink plunger for a toilet plunger because they look very similar. However, there is one difference. Toilet plungers have a pliable rubber flap that folds out from the main compression container. This seemingly useless piece of rubber is quite important. Without it, it’s virtually impossible to create a tight vacuum on the curved toilet opening. Another option for dislodging clogs from a toilet is an accordion plunger. This plunger gets its name because of the ribbed design of the suction cup. The accordion plunger suction cup has a smaller compression container and it is made of hard plastic. While highly effective at removing clogs, it can be hard to handle.
Buying a Plunger
Plungers, no matter how clean they may be, can leave a bad impression. Having one plunger is a necessity, but why would you want to have multiple plungers in your home to treat different problems? When purchasing a plunger, we suggest sticking with a regular toilet plunger for a couple of reasons.
- Toilets clog more often than sinks or bathtubs. Sometimes you can remove the drain from the sink or bathtub to pull out the obstruction. Most sink and bathtub clogs are just ginormous hairballs. Do you really want to stick your hand down the toilet?
- Toilet plungers have the extra flap to make it easier to remove clogs on curved surfaces, but they are also great on flat surfaces.
If you only buy one type of plunger, the pros at Rooter Hero Plumbing suggest you stick with the traditional toilet plunger.
Final Thoughts
Keep in mind that plungers work well when clogs are small in nature and contain organic material that can be broken up during the plunging process. Toys, hardened soap, or other solid objects causing the blockage should not be plunged. In fact, plunging can actually make the problem worse. These kinds of obstructions need professional attention. Call a local plumber to help you fix the problem.