Bob Vila Radio: The Right Plunger for Your Plumbing Repair
A plunger is a plunger is a plunger. Right? Well, no. In fact, there are different types of plungers, each with its own special purpose and technique.
Stopped-up drain? Overflowing toilet? For these and many more plumbing repairs, homeowners reach for the plunger—a trusty, no-nonsense tool that often goes ignored.
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Listen toBOB VILA ON TYPES OF PLUNGERSor read below:
What you may not have known is that there are twotypes of plungers—the cup type and the flange type.
Cup-type plungers feature a wooden handle with a rubber bell at the end. These are great for clearing clogs in sink and bathtub drains. For best results, cover the overflow drain with a wet towel and, with a bit of petroleum jelly applied to the rim of the plunger, position the tool over the drain, pushing down to gain suction. Next, plunge the drain with quick thrusts for about 30 seconds. That ought to do it.
For clogged toilets in particular, you need a flange plunger—a type that includes an extra ring of rubber to create an airtight, suction-enhancing seal. To use a flange plunger effectively, first shut off the water supply hose behind the toilet. Then submerge the plunger until the rubber ring meets the drain opening. Finally, finish the job by rapidly pushing and pulling the plunger up and down.
No luck with the plunger? You may need a drain snake. Or, if you’d rather not deal with what can be a very messy job, you may want to call a plumber.
Bob Vila Radio is a 60-second home improvement radio tip of the day carried on more than 186 stations in 75 markets around the country.Click hereto subscribe, so you can automatically receive each new episode as it arrives—absolutely free!
