Four Techniques for Effective Plunging

Plunging a toilet seems like an intuitive thing to do. You grab the plunger, thrust it into the toilet before it overflows, and begin plunging. As Orange County plumbers can testify, that is not the best way to plunge a toilet. There really is a technique involved in plunging a toilet that can save you a lot of hassle and headache. Use the following tips when using your toilet plunger:

·         Stop the flow of water first, if needed.

·         Plunge slowly then more forcefully.

·         Keep a tight seal around the opening.

·         Use a plunger with a funnel cup.


Stop the Flow of Water

Many times a quick plunge will do the job to get the water flowing down the toilet again. Sometimes, however, you need more work to plunge the toilet. At other times, you might not even be able to locate a plunger immediately. In these situations, the first thing you should do is to stop the water from flowing into the toilet. Simply lift the lid on the tank, and gently push the flapper valve into place. This will stop water from entering the toilet bowl and will allow it to begin filling the tank.


Plunge Slowly Then Forcefully

The first plunge in the water should be slow. A slow push allows the air that is trapped inside the cup to escape. Too vigorous of a push will cause the air to rush out of the bowl and splash waste water all over.

Keep a Tight Seal

Once the air has escaped out of the cup, it is very important to maintain a tight seal between the plunger and the opening in the bowl. Because the air is gone, a tight seal creates a vacuum. When the plunger is used, the contents in the bowl and the pipes are sucked back and forth. This movement helps the obstruction to be released.

Use Funnel Cup Plunger

The best plunger recommended by Orange County plumbers is one with a funnel on the end of the cup. The funnel makes it easier to obtain and keep a tight seal. If you need to use the plunger in a sink or tub, you can simply fold the funnel into the cup.

This is a guest post offered to Gags, Chuckles and Giggles for its readers.