Alright today on Repairs101 I’m suiting up for a deep dive into the best practices for unclogging a drain using an ordinary plunger.
This episode of Repairs101 is sponsored by Holly who really just wants this to be over so she can go out and play.
Plunger types
The red plunger in the center is a sink plunger and the black ones are toilet plungers. And there’s no difference between them other than that the flange is folded in on this one. But: you want the flange folded out to make a positive seal on the toilet’s throat. Whether it’s round, square or rectangular shaped.
A sink plunger is designed to sit flat on the floor of the sink or the tub.
You will need one of each. And whatever you do… don’t mix them up.
And you know, no matter what you’ve got down that drain it’s a good idea to be prepared for splash-back and wear your protective eyewear.
Path of least resistance
Most sinks and tubs have an overflow drain in case someone leaves the water running with the drain plugged. It could prevent a flood but it could also be the path of least resistance when you’re trying to clear a drain. So the same as any double sink – you’ll have to plug one side while you plunge the other.
Even with the overflow plugged this scenario is not particularly effective because air is so easily compressed and therefore not much force is being applied to the clog by way of the water.
If you fill the sink, tub, toilet bowl or basin to the point where the cup of the plunger can be completely submerged. And all the air purged from it you will have turned the plunger into a hydraulic piston.
The first few strokes here I am purging the air through the overflow drain. After that you can hear the water rushing back and forth breaking up the clog and forcing it downstream.
