Your parents probably taught you how to brush your teeth or fold your clothes, but many of us were not given proper instructions about using a toilet plunger. While most homeowners have a plunger on hand, not everyone is using it correctly. Clogged toilets are never fun to deal with, whether it is your own mishap or someone else’s. However, there is a right and wrong way to approach a clogged toilet. Here’s what you need to know about toilet clogs and plungers
How to Correctly Plunge a Toilet
The next time you send too much toilet paper or too much waste down your toilet and end up with a stubborn clog, follow these steps:
- Run the plunger under hot water, as this softens the rubber to allow it to make a tighter seal around the toilet drain.
- Insert the plunger in the toilet. If your clog has resulted in a full bowl of water, do this step very carefully so that you don’t cause an overflow on your floors.
- Place the plunger head directly over the toilet drain or opening to form a strong suction or seal.
- Start plunging in a gentle and careful manner at first.
- Put equal weight into both the up and down motions and begin to plunge more aggressively
- Pull the plunger away from the drain to break the seal. This should either force the clog down your toilet drain or cause it to get sucked back into the toilet bowl.
- Don’t forget to clean your hands as well as your plunger!
Who Clogged it?
No, we aren’t trying to place blame. But it is important to know whether the clog was actually caused by flushing too much substance (whether it was Charmin or a Lego) or if the clog seemed to have happened on its own. If you are not the culprit to your clogged toilet or if the toilet frequently stops up, you may need to hire a professional to take a look. The clog could be coming from the sewer line or pipes. In such cases, the clogged toilet may be your first and last warning sign that a disruptive backup is on its way.
Call Covenant Plumbing today for experienced, affordable and trusted clogged toilet repair!