Plungers—You probably have one in your house and use it on occasion, but did you know there are different types of plungers for different situations? Our experts break it down.

The Sink Plunger

This plunger should look familiar to most people. The red cup and wooden handle are what most of us think of when we picture a plunger. However, this type of plunger does not work well on toilets! For a plunger to work effectively, it needs to create a tight vacuum seal. This type of plunger can’t accomplish this on the curved toilet bowl but works excellently on flat surfaces. You’ll want to keep one of these near your kitchen sinks where it’ll be most effective.

The Toilet Plunger

This plunger is effective for toilets because the added rubber flap can create a seal in the curved toilet bowl. From there, it functions very similarly to a cup plunger. The toilet plunger is the most versatile since it can also perform well on a flat surface. However, it’s best to avoid using the same plunger on your toilet as your sink since it is unsanitary.

Plunging Tips

It won’t matter that you know the different plunger types if you can’t effectively use them. For both the sink and toilet plunger, you’ll want to plunge straight up and down for maximum effectiveness. Additionally, make sure the head of the plunger is completely submerged in water to create an effective seal. Lastly, if you ever use toxic commercial cleaners, never plunge afterward. You can very easily splash yourself and cause severe damage to your skin or clothes.

If your drains need cleaning, give our helpful team at Rooter Guard a call at (818) 572-9743 or fill out an online contact form.