The first step is to make sure you have the right type of plunger. A standard cup-style drain plunger is a type designed for clearing sink, tub, and shower clogs. This plunger has a shallow bell-shaped dome with a flat bottom rim that seals to the basin around the drain hole. A different type of tool, the toilet or closet plunger, has a tall dome and a flange that extends from the dome’s bottom edge to seal inside the drain opening in the bottom of the toilet bowl. You can use a toilet plunger on a sink only if you tuck the flange up into the dome; otherwise, it won’t seal to the sink basin.
Drain Plunger vs. Drain Snake
The other common hand tool for clearing drain clogs in the drain snake, also known as a drain auger. It is better suited for clogs that are lodged more deeply in the drain system, such as in the branch drains that extend beyond the drain traps. DIYers are well-advised to own both tools, but always try a plunger first, as it will clear most common clogs. If the plunger doesn’t work, the next step is to try a drain snake.
Safety Considerations
Using a drain plunger is not an inherently dangerous project, but there is the chance that dirty, bacteria-infested drain water may be splashed onto your skin or into your face. Thus, it’s always a good idea to wear eye protection and gloves when plunging a drain.
How to Use a Drain Plunger
Plunging a drain uses the forces of hydraulic suction and compression. When you pull up on a plunger, it pulls water in the drain upward, beginning the process of loosening the clog. When you push down on the plunger, water is forced downward, moving the clog in the other direction. After a few up-and-down strokes, this push-pull effect loosens and breaks up the clog so the water in the drain can carry it down through the drain system (and out of your life). Keep the two forces in mind when plunging your drain. On bathtubs, sealing the overflow may require that you remove the cover on the overflow tube to seal the opening with a rag. Shower drains are generally completely enclosed, with no overflow opening to seal. If the drain isn’t clear after several attempts at plunging, the next step is to snake the drain, a process that will require you to disassemble the drain trap. But in most cases, you will have cleared your clogged drain without even getting your hands dirty.
Keeping a Drain Plunger Clean
Maintaining a drain plunger is a simple matter of rinsing it off after use and drying it before storing it. Never rub vaseline or another petroleum grease on a rubber or neoprene plunger cup. You can, however, wipe it down with a silicone-based lubricant to protect the rubber or neoprene.
When to Replace Your Drain Plunger
Over time, the rubber or neoprene cup on your drain plunger may grow old and cracked, which will prevent it from making a tight seal against the basin around the drain. At this point, it’s time to replace this inexpensive tool. ,
