Toilet blockage is more than enough to create any sudden awkward situation. But we need to act wisely then. A plumbing tool- a toilet plunger is of great use to give us the relief of that situation. Personally, I am indebted to it. More or less, we all are acquainted with it – a stick with a suction cup at its end. It is also familiar as a force cup, plumber’s friend, or plumber’s helper.
It forces water against the blockage and pushes the rubbish using pressure through a bending pipe path to make water flow uninterrupted. To get the best of a plunger, sometimes, you may need to add water to the bowl before plunging starts.
You may think that the plunging toilet is a straightforward, uncomplicated task. But the reality is not so. You need to know the proper technique to make the messy job easy. The technique is not difficult to master. You must have knowledge about how a plunger works. It works in different steps as stated below:
STEP 1: Choose the Right Plunger
If your choice is not appropriate, the messy task of plunging toilet won’t be solved easily. Don’t be mistaken at the glance of different types plungers – “standard plunger” looking like a basketball cut in half, plunger featuring an extended flange, etc. Last one is for you to plunge a toilet. It is a flanged plunger or closet plunger. It has a uniquely different shape, including a narrowed bottom. It is designed to fit into the hole in the toilet bowl.
A good seal between a plunger and toilet bowl helps you to get the best of the plunger. So, a funnel cup plunger is the best option for you. The flange ensures a tight seal and required suction power.
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STEP 2: Warming up Plunger
Being a user of the plunger for the first time, I was befooled. It was stiff and hard and not a good service provider likes soft and pliant ones. What did I do? I just run the plunger under hot water so that I could soften it up. Then it worked well to have a better seal on the toilet bowl.
STEP 3: Correct Plunging
It involves some phases, as stated below.
Water level Checking
Firstly, you are to check the water level in the toilet bowl. If it is almost full, reduce the water level with the help of a bucket. But in case of almost empty bowl, don’t hesitate to add enough water to fill half of the bowl as required. Some water in the bowl ensures a seal around the drain opening. Thus, adequate water helps you improve suction power leading to a more successful plunge.
Inserting the Plunger
At the time of inserting the plunger into the bowl, make sure that the flange passes through the drain hole. Don’t forget to extend the flange at the bottom of the plunger cup. You may find the flange folded up into the cup of many toilet plungers.
Plunger’s rubber lip is to get stuck around that drain opening. You should lower the plunger into the bowl at an angle so that the cup can be filled with water when you lower it. Plunging force is accelerated in this way.
Then you have to fit the cup over the hole in such a way that the flange remains inside the hole and the cup seals around the outside of the hole. Though holding the plunger at an angle is an ease for you, keep the tool in a vertical position. And get a better result.
Forceful Plunger Movement
You like the plunger for its great support. You must keep in mind that pulling back the plunger is equally important as pushing it downward. So begin your task by sticking the plunger in the bowl. It will create a strong seal over the exit hole.
To be successful in clearing the clog, you are to give up and down strokes repeatedly. That means, create enough pressure on the plunger with swift, powerful thrusts. In the meantime, water and air force go back and forth in the drain and loosen the obstruction. Then you have to pull the plunger out of the hole after five or six thrusts.
If most of the water is gone from the bowl, you’ve probably cleared the clog. Then flushing the toilet, if you find no water in the bowl, you are successful in your attempt. But if it happens otherwise – that means overflowing toilet again, you must prevent water from entering the bowl by closing the flapper. The repeated action of plunging and flushing hopefully will help you to take care of such a situation with ease.
The mechanism works here is that the plunger creates a suction effect when it comes up. It loosens the clog. Then it pushes the clog down the drain when it goes down.
A secret tip is for you to improve plunger suction. Just rub petroleum jelly on the rim of the flange that goes into the drain hole. And see the magic.
Precaution
A clogged toilet is, of course, not a good experience. But cool down. Never plunge the toilet after adding a drain-clearing chemical to the clogged material. Because, if it gets any way to come out of the toilet, it may cause great harm to your skin or become corrosive to any material on the toilet or in the bathroom.
Conclusion
Usually, what we do? Weeks, months, even years pass by, but we never think of our toilet. When we are faced with any clogging in toilet, it becomes the center of our attention. Some of the homeowners are wise enough to have a plunger in their possession. They preserve it if not in the toilet, anywhere in their house.
But it is a matter of great regret that a good number of them don’t know the correct plunging procedure. It is not difficult for you to handle the task. You can do so in two ways. Either press the cup hard into the drain to force air in or push down until the rubber cup is flattened. Then pull it out to create a vacuum that attracts material. Thus, you will be able to loosen or break up the blockage caused by excessive material.
Last but not least, mind it – “prevention is better than cure”. We all need to clean the toilet weekly with a brush to avoid mega build up. Besides, train your kids not to flush down the toilet with their toys, etc.
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