Properly Using Your Plunger To Clear A Small Clog

At Plumbing Emergency Rescue, we know that one of the most common plumbing concerns that we hear from our Long Island, Suffolk County, and Nassau County residents is about clogged toilets, and we want those with clogged toilets to know that sometimes a minor clog can be efficiently handled on your own with a plunger. While the concept of plunging toilet to clear a clog seems like a simple one, getting the right seal, and therefore the right clearing method, down can take a little finesse, but we want to help you to master your plunger so you can take control of any small toilet clogs you may experience.

First, you’ll want to find the right plunger, and we find that many households are using the wrong type of plunger for clearing small toilet clogs. The typical plungers found with a flat bottom aren’t actually made for toilet use, and these are made to plunge small clogs from sinks instead. When plunging your toilet to clear a small clog, you’ll want a plunger that has a rubber extension coming from the bottom, and this portion will extend down into the hole at the bottom of the toilet bowl in order to get a better seal.

The first step you’ll want to take once you have your correct plunger is running the plunger under some hot water from the sink in order to make the rubber more pliable, and to provide you with a better seal. The soft rubber will be better able to conform to the shape of your toilet, and this will allow your plunging efforts to go more smoothly.

Once your plunger is softened with hot water, you’ll want to put it into the toilet so that it is able to cover the entire hole at the bottom. Any spaces where the plunger cannot reach will ruin the seal you’re trying for, and if you can’t seem to make a seal, wrapping an old towel around the plunger first may come in handy.

With the water a few inches above the plunger, you’ll want to begin pumping the plunger in an effort to clear the clog as the plunger is sealed around the toilet’s hole. If the water clears the bowl and drains once the seal is broken, you’ve cleared the clog!

At Plumbing Emergency Rescue, we know that a clogged toilet can be a real pain, and we want to help residents to take care of these small clogs without making the problem worse. With a small toilet clog, the proper precautions and proper use of a plunger can be a huge help, and all it takes is learning a little plunging finesse!