Should You Have A Plunger In Every Bathroom? (The Three Types)

Clogged bathroom and toilet drains are the most annoying problems for most homeowners who wish to see everything in the house operate optimally.

Any stagnant water in your bathroom or toilet is not something you can withstand and ignore.

You need to seek a plunger to help you DIY in case there are blockages in any of your draining lines.

So, Should You Have A Plunger In Every Bathroom?

You need to have a plunger in all bathrooms, positioned near the toilet where it can be seen by anyone visiting the toilet. Having a plunger in every bathroom makes perfect sense, especially if you have frequent visitors in your home. Your visitors will freely use your bathrooms and drain out any stagnant water in case they notice it after or before using the bathroom.

Clearing the clogged bathrooms is one of the simplest DIY you can perform in a home.

You need a plunger and some little hand energy to perform the task.

Keep reading to find insights on how to use and the available few types of plungers you can use in your bathroom.

What Is A Plunger, And How Does It Work?

A plunger is a tool comprised of a rubber suction cup attached to the end of wood or plastic stick.

Even though a plunger only unclogs drains through suctions, it can also help clear blockages within pipes.

It is a designed tool sold in many stores at an affordable price but serves you best, especially if you use it right.

It creates pressure over the clogged drain by forcing air into it.

Due to the high pressure exerted on the drain, the clog is pushed down gradually, and air flows through the pipes to remove the slightest dirt along the drain sides.

When pushed upwards, the plunger creates a vacuum which creates a motion that unclogs the drain.

How Do You Use A Plunger?

Using a plunger is the easiest DIY process you can partake in at your home.

You can use a plunger to unclog the bathroom drain, the sink, or the toilet in the bathrooms.

Draining a bathroom drain and sink is done the same way as draining the kitchen sink.

Place a plunger on the clogged sink opening and ensure it has made a firm grip against the drain surface.

Push the plunger downward and pull it out several times before adding hot water to drain the clogs and other dirt.

For a toilet, here are a few steps you can follow when unclogging using a plunger.

1. Place The Rubber Lip Of The Plunger On The Toilet

The best plunger you can use when working on your toilet is the flange plunger.

Grab it and press the rubber opening around the toilet hole to create an airtight seal.

Remember, situating your plunger is the most critical part because if it doesn’t build a tight seal, removing the dirt may be impossible.

If you can’t get a flange plunger, you can use any sink plunger, but you will have to apply more force.

2. Hold The Handle Straight Up, Not At An Angle.

You can easily be tempted to hold the plunger at an angle because it seems easier doing so, but you will break the airtight seal making it more difficult to unclog the toilet.

3. Move The Plunger Up And Down

Start moving the plunger up and down while ensuring you maintain the vertical position for about 20 seconds. Use both hands to push the handle and forcefully pull it back again.

Repeat the same process for about 20 seconds to break the clog within your toilet.

When pushing and burping the plunge, apply as much force as you can to help you ease the entire process.

If you accidentally break the airtight, you should position the plunger back over the toilet hole and start again.

4. Lift The Plunger To Drain The Water Present On The Bowl

After twenty seconds, the plunger should have broken the clog into smaller particles that can be drained by water.

At this point, you can flush the toilet.

If you realize that the plunger did not unclog the toilet, you can opt to repeat the same process or use hot water, vinegar, or baking soda to break the tough clog.

The Three Types Of Toilet Plungers

Toilet plungers are one of the most basic household tools for dealing with clogs. However, for success and the best results, you need to know which plunger is best for you.

1. Flange Plungers

It is designed to fit well over the curved toilet drain, providing the much-needed suction to clear clogs.

Importantly, this type of plunger is usually designed for toilets but offers the flexibility to fit in virtually any drain.

While it can be used on sink and tub drains, using the same plunger on your toilets and sinks is strongly discouraged. It is not hygienic and could result in cross-contamination.

2. Accordion Plunger

The accordion plunger is yet another plunger designed specifically for clearing toilet clogs, but it is less common compared to the flange plunger.

With this type, the air is held in the ridged area, and when the plunger is pressed against the toilet drain, air thrusts out from the cup to push the clog out.

For first-time buyers, it is worth noting that, although these plungers can create a tighter seal and produce a stronger suction to unclog a drain line effectively, they are not the easiest to use, mainly because they are made of plastic.

Notably, because accordion plungers are made of plastic, they can potentially scratch toilet surfaces, unlike their rubber counterparts.

3. Cup Plunger

The cup plunger is the standard sink plug you will find in the store.

They work best on flat surfaces, so they are not suited for use in toilets, which usually have a curved drain.

You can use a cup plunger to unclog the bathtub and shower drain in your bathroom.

Conclusion

A plunger is an essential tool in a home to help you unclog several drainage lines without being helped by a plumber.

It is advisable to have a plunger in all bathrooms to ensure your visitors do not panic whenever the toilet or bathroom drain clogs while they are inside the bathrooms.

If you position and use your bathroom and toilet plunger the right way, or as explained above, you will be able to handle most minor blockages in your home.

Sources

https://gharpedia.com/blog/why-plunger-is-must-for-every-homeowner/

https://bluemonkeysports.com/how-to-store-toilet-plunger/

https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Plunger