Clogged toilets are not only unpleasant to deal with, but they can also be a health hazard. Before calling a plumber to resolve this messy situation, the first method you can try to clear a blocked toilet is by plunging your toilet, but it’s important to know how to do it correctly so as not to damage your toilet or your home’s pipes. To help, our plumbers in Ocala are here to show you how to plunge your toilet correctly.
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Step One: Use The Right Plunger
You might not know this, but there is more than one kind of plunger. Flange plungers are used for clearing toilet clogs, while cup plungers are used for sinks and showers. Using an extended flange ensures that your plunger will snuggly fit into the drain hole, creating a tight seal and therefore giving you superior suction power.
Step Two: Lay Down Some Towels
Plunging a toilet can be messy, especially if the toilet is filled to the brim and on the verge of overflowing. If you feel your toilet will overflow when you begin plunging, put down some towels, which can be a make-shift landing area for any water that can splash out. On the other hand, if the water is too high to plunge, you can put on a pair of gloves and use a bucket to remove some of the water.
Step Three: Start Gently Plunging
Before you start gently plunging, make sure that there is a tight seal between the plunger and the drain hole, otherwise, you might not be successful in clearing the clog. The flange part of the plunger should be in the drain hole, while the rubber tip of the plunger should sit around that drain opening. With the flange properly positioned, be sure to start off by plunging gently, as the bell of the plunger will have air in it, which, when thrust hard into the toilet, can force the air back around the seal, in turn blowing water all over the bathroom and you.
Step Four: Plunge Forcefully
Now that all the air has been forced out of your plunger’s bell, forcefully move the plunger up and down for about 10 or 20 seconds, which is about as long as it should take to force the air and water that is in the drain to clear out that clog. We recommend avoiding using drain-cleaning chemicals as they can harm your skin and cause your toilet or pipes to corrode. If you have been plunging for 30 seconds or more, we recommend contacting an Ocala plumber.