Plunging For Beginners

Believe it or not, there is actually a correct way to plunge a toilet. Simply cramming the plunger into the toilet drain won’t accomplish a thing, so follow these pointers in order to get things moving again.

First, make sure your plunger is in good condition. A cracked plunger or one with holes in it is not going to work. Next, press the rubber head of the plunger firmly into the drain at the bottom of the toilet, then release. Repeat this a few times, paying attention to see if the contents of the toilet bowl begin to drain. The bowl might drain suddenly or slowly, but either way you know you’re making progress.

Continue plunging the toilet drain quickly until you see the bowl begin to drain. After it empties completely, flush it once to determine whether the clog is indeed fully removed. The toilet should flush freely if the clog is gone, and you should have no further problems. If it does not flush freely, repeat the plunging procedure until it does flush without backing up. It may take several tries to completely unclog the toilet drain, so keep at it until you see the toilet flush without hesitation.

If repeated plunging does not clear the clog, other measures may be necessary.