Different Types of Plungers for Toilets
Nothing disrupts the flow of a peaceful day quite like a clogged toilet. While it may seem like an inconvenient, messy situation, there’s a simple yet often overlooked solution: choosing the right plunger.
The right plunger can make all the difference, saving you time and frustration and even protecting your plumbing from costly damage. Many people don’t realise that not all plungers are created equal. The wrong tool can lead to more harm than good, resulting in cracked seals, inefficient unclogging, or a full-blown plumbing emergency. Understanding which plunger works best for different types of blockages can help you restore order in minutes and keep your fixtures in top shape.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the various types of plungers available and help you make an informed choice. From traditional cup plungers to specialised flange models, we’ll explore which ones are best suited for your needs—ensuring you’re equipped for any blockage that comes your way.
The Classic Cup Plunger: A Staple in Every Home
Design and Functionality
The classic cup plunger, also known as a standard cup plunger, is a tool every household should have. Its primary function is to clear clogs in sinks and drains, particularly those with flat surfaces like kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks. The plunger cup, made of a soft rubber flap, is designed to create a tight seal over the drain opening, allowing the force cup to effectively push water through the drain hole and dislodge pesky clogs.
How to Use a Cup Plunger Correctly
The cup plunger features a wooden handle attached to a rubber cup, making it simple to use a plunger correctly. To achieve maximum suction, it’s important to ensure that the rubber cup is fully submerged in hot water before plunging—this softens the rubber, allowing for a better seal. For the most effective plunging process, wear rubber gloves to protect yourself, especially when dealing with a clogged sink.
Limitations of the Cup Plunger for Toilets
While the cup plunger is ideal for clearing clogs in flat surfaces, it has limitations when used in toilets. Unlike a flange plunger or a beehive plunger, the cup plunger struggles to form an effective seal on the curved surface of a toilet bowl.
This results in reduced plunging power, making it less efficient for toilet drains. For toilet blockages, flange plungers or accordion plungers are better suited, as they are designed to fit snugly into toilet drains and create an effective seal.
Tips for Proper Usage
Using a cup plunger properly requires the plunger cup to be centred over the drain hole, ensuring a good seal on the flat surface. The plunging process works on the same principle as accordion plungers but without the added flexibility for toilet applications. When facing a stubborn clog in a kitchen sink, the classic cup plunger remains a reliable choice, but for clearing clogs in a toilet, consider a new plunger, such as a flange plunger, for better results.
Remember to always clean your plunger after use—rinsing it with a bleach solution can help keep it sanitary for the next time you need it.
The Flange Plunger: The Toilet Specialist
Unique Design Tailored for Toilets
The flange plunger, often referred to as the toilet plunger, is specifically designed to tackle blockages in the toilet bowl. Unlike the classic cup plunger, the flange plunger features a soft rubber cup with an extended flange at the bottom.
This unique design allows it to fit snugly into the toilet drain, creating a tight seal that is essential for effective plunging. The flange helps to channel the force directly into the toilet drain, making it much more efficient at clearing toilet blockages compared to other types of plungers.
Effectiveness in Creating a Strong Seal
Toilet drains require a specialised tool to create the tight seal necessary for clearing clogs, and the flange plunger excels in this regard. The rubber cup, along with the flange, forms an effective seal against the curved surface of the toilet bowl, ensuring maximum suction and powerful plunging action.
This seal is crucial for dislodging even the most stubborn clogs, which makes flange plungers a must-have tool for every household. Accordion plungers, while also effective, use a different approach by employing a series of hard plastic ridges to generate force, but they can be more challenging to use compared to the flange plunger.
Tips for Proper Usage
To use a flange plunger properly, start by placing the flange inside the toilet drain and ensure the rubber cup sits flush against the toilet bowl. Applying downward pressure with the plunger handle, use a steady pumping motion to create suction.
Wearing rubber gloves is recommended, as the process can be messy. It’s important to ensure that the rubber cup is submerged in hot water before use—this softens the rubber, allowing for a better seal. The wooden handle provides stability during the plunging process, helping to direct force effectively.
While flange plungers work well on toilet blockages, they are not suitable for flat surfaces like kitchen sinks or bathroom sinks. For those types of clogs, a classic cup plunger or accordion plunger is a better option. The flange plunger’s specialised design, featuring a flattened rim and soft rubber flange, makes it perfect for creating the strong seal needed for clearing clogs in toilets.
The Accordion Plunger: Power and Efficiency
Robust Design and Material
The accordion plunger is known for its robust design and durable hard plastic construction. Unlike the classic cup plunger or flange plunger, the accordion plunger features a series of ridges that provide extra force when used. These ridges allow the accordion plunger to generate significant pressure, making it highly effective for stubborn clogs that require more power to dislodge.
Increased Pressure for Effective Plunging
The unique design of the accordion plunger allows it to create increased pressure compared to other types of plungers. The ridged design works by compressing and releasing air, which produces a strong force to push through blockages.
When used correctly, the accordion plunger can be highly effective at clearing clogs that may not respond to a standard cup plunger or even a flange plunger. It is particularly useful for toilet drains, where the added pressure can make a significant difference in breaking up tough clogs.
When to Use an Accordion Plunger
Accordion plungers work well in scenarios where extra force is needed, such as when dealing with a stubborn clog in a toilet. While the accordion plunger is excellent for toilets, it can also be used in other drains, though it is not ideal for flat surfaces like kitchen sinks or bathroom sinks due to its design.
The accordion plunger’s hard plastic construction and ridged design make it a powerful tool for clearing blockages, but it requires proper technique to use effectively. Ensuring a good seal at the drain opening and applying steady pressure is key to successful plunging with this tool.
The Modern Taze Plunger: A Professional’s Choice
Industrial Use and Design
The Taze plunger is a specialised tool typically used by professional plumbers for industrial applications. Unlike standard plungers that are used in households, the T aze plunger is designed to tackle large-scale blockages in commercial and municipal plumbing systems.
It features a robust metal construction with interchangeable heads that can be adapted to different pipe sizes, making it an essential tool for clearing large drains and sewer lines. The design of the Taze plunger allows it to be inserted deep into the drain opening, providing a powerful means of clearing serious obstructions.
Why It Might Not Be Ideal for Home Use
While the Taze plunger is highly effective in industrial settings, it is not the best choice for home use. Its size, weight, and specialised design make it impractical for typical household plumbing systems.
The Taze plunger requires a certain level of expertise to operate safely and effectively, and improper use could potentially damage residential plumbing fixtures. Additionally, the force generated by the Taze plunger is far greater than what is needed for common household clogs, which could lead to cracked pipes or other unintended damage if used incorrectly.
When Professionals Use a Taze Plunger
Professional plumbers use the Taze plunger in situations where standard household plungers, such as cup plungers, flange plungers, or accordion plungers, are not effective. It is particularly useful for clearing blockages in large sewer lines, commercial drains, or municipal pipes that require a heavy-duty approach.
The Taze plunger’s ability to adapt to various pipe sizes and its powerful plunging action make it an invaluable tool for tackling major obstructions that are beyond the capabilities of household plungers. When faced with a severe blockage in an industrial or commercial setting, the Taze plunger is often the professional’s choice for effective and efficient results.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Plunger
Type of Blockage
The first factor to consider when choosing a plunger is the type of blockage you are dealing with. Different plungers are designed for different purposes—whether it’s a clogged sink, toilet, or larger commercial drain.
For instance, a flange plunger is ideal for toilet drains due to its ability to create a tight seal, while a cup plunger is better suited for flat surfaces like kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks. Assessing the type of blockage will help you select the most effective tool for the job.
Toilet Design and User Comfort
The design of your toilet also plays a crucial role in determining which plunger will work best. Toilets with unique curves or low-flow designs may require a specific type of plunger, such as a flange or accordion plunger, to create an effective seal.
Additionally, consider user comfort—plunging can be a physically demanding task, so choosing a plunger with an ergonomic handle or a comfortable grip can make a big difference. Wooden handles, for example, provide stability and ease of use.
Complementary Tools
In some cases, a plunger alone may not be enough to clear a stubborn clog. Having additional tools like a plumber’s snake or drain auger can complement the use of a plunger and help dislodge more challenging blockages. For particularly tough clogs, a combination of tools may be necessary to achieve the best results.
Unclogging Made Easy: When to Call the Experts
Signs It’s Time to Call a Professional
If you’ve tried using a plunger and the blockage still won’t budge, it might be time to call in the experts. Signs that indicate a plunger isn’t enough include water backing up into other drains, persistent foul odours, or repeated clogs that keep coming back. These can be signs of a more serious issue within your plumbing system.
Assessing the Situation
Before attempting further DIY measures, assess the situation carefully. For severe blockages or if you’re unsure about the cause, it’s best not to risk damaging your plumbing. Using too much force or the wrong tools can lead to cracked pipes or leaks.
Never Let a Blocked Toilet Ruin Your Day
At Silver Drains, we understand how disruptive a blocked toilet can be to your daily routine. Our team of experienced plumbers is equipped with the latest tools and technology to handle even the toughest blockages.
Whether it’s a stubborn clog in your toilet or a more complex plumbing issue, we have the expertise to provide a reliable solution. Our services include everything from routine drain cleaning to emergency unclogging, ensuring your plumbing is back in working order as quickly as possible.
Don’t let a blocked toilet ruin your day. If your plunger isn’t getting the job done, it’s time to call in the professionals. Silver Drains is here to help with prompt, effective service that you can rely on. For all your blocked toilet needs, contact us today or visit our website. Let Silver Drains take care of your plumbing worries so you can get back to your day with peace of mind.
