Clogs are a common occurrence in any household, so it’s a good idea to keep a standard set of plungers on hand. There are 2 basic types of plungers depending on the task at hand. For toilet clogs, a flange plunger is the best choice. A flange plunger has an additional rubber lip that folds down into the drain to create a better seal. For sink or tub clogs, a standard cup plunger is the best choice. Cup plungers have a flat bottom that will seat on the sink or tub basin to form a seal.
Most clogged toilets, sinks and tubs can easily be cleared out by using the proper plunger. If you do get a clog, place the head of the plunger over the drain (with the rubber lip folded down on a flange plunger) and push up and down with quick forceful thrusts. Never use drain cleaner in combination with a plunger, they contain harmful chemicals that could be splashed back onto your skin. Repeat this process several times for 15-20 seconds, if this doesn’t work the clog may be deeper in the plumbing and require a snake. Plumbing snakes are a flexible auger that can travel deeper into a house’s plumbing to unclog drains. If you don’t have access to a snake, call a professional plumber.
