Success Tips When Clearing A Clog With A Plunger
by Nicholas Chambers
Almost every homeowner is bound to encounter a plumbing issue in their home at some point. Plumbing costs vary based upon the frequency and severity of the problems that arise. Minor problems that are not properly attended to tend to recur and exacerbate over time. Therefore, it is important for homeowners to be able to handle any minor plumbing issue before they can call in a professional plumber to diagnose the root cause of the problem. But that will require homeowners to be equipped with the proper tools for the job.
One such tool is the plunger. Surprisingly, many people do not know how to use a plunger correctly. This usually aggravates plumbing problems. Below are some tips you should follow to ensure you make easy work of unclogging your drains with a plunger.
Keep the water level down
Having excessive water in the sink, bathtub or toilet will make the job messy when you begin plunging. Siphon out the water in your drain up to the halfway point. Alternatively, you can use a small bucket to remove the excess water. Make sure not to remove all the water as the cup won't create a vacuum seal and generate water pressure otherwise. The water level should be just enough to allow the cup to submerge entirely. If the remaining water is not enough, use a bucket to add more water from another source.
The up-and-down plunging action will unavoidably cause splattering of water. Therefore, it is advisable that you do not use drain cleaning chemicals together with a plunger because the dangerous chemicals can splash onto your skin or clothing and cause serious burns.
Ensure a tight seal
A big mistake people make when plunging is to allow excessive air in the rubber cup. If there is too much air in the cup, the air will compress whenever you press down, and the clog in your drain won't receive as much pressure as it should. For the best results, apply some petroleum jelly around the edges of the cup. This will improve the suction and help push the clog down into the drain.
Keep your plunger in good shape
A faulty plunger won't do much to help you perform your unclogging job successfully. Any signs of cracking or ripping, especially on the cup, will lead to a poor vacuum seal and subsequent loss of water pressure. To lengthen the life of your plunger, be sure to keep it clean and dry after use. And when your plunger becomes worn out, have it replaced immediately.
If you're unable to successfully unclog the drain, call in a professional plumber so you don't accidentally damage your pipes and plumbing.
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About Me
If I didn't know better, I'd think my toddler started each day with a challenge to throw something new and different down the toilet. He has managed to put nearly anything can imagine down the toilet. I have gotten pretty good at figuring out what has gone missing down the loo and whether it's something I can fix or something that I need to call the plumber to help me fix it. This blog is for other mums of toddlers who need to get toys out of the toilet and get the toilet back to working condition as soon as possible!