The goal of a toilet plunger is to dislodge blockages in the toilet trap way. Toilet trap ways are designed with bends (typically a S shaped bend or a U bend) so that gases from the main sewage system do not enter the house. Unfortunately this means they also have a tendency to get clogged up. That’s where a toilet plunger comes into the picture.
Best toilet plunger: Flange, funnel nose, spring and ball plungers
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How a toilet plunger works
The simplest toilet plunger designs consist of a rubber cap attached to a stick or shaft. The cup is placed over the entry to the toilet trap way ensuring a good seal. By pushing down on the shaft the air and water trapped in the cup is pushed against the blockage to break it up and loosen it. Then when the rubber cup is pulled back (after being flattened) a suction effect is created which also serves to dislodge the clog.
Some plumbers will tell you that it is the push pressure that normally has the effect of releasing the clog while others say that its the vacuum pull force that is most effective. They may add that it is good practice to “pull” whatever is causing the blockage back into the toilet bowl rather than pushing it out into the main drain and sewage system.
Whichever technique you follow, the trick is to push and pull in a steady fashion rather than with a jerky motion. Having some water in the pipe is good as water does not compress as much as air does and will transmit more of the applied force created by the plunging motion.
The best toilet plungers: What to look for when purchasing
If you are in the market for a toilet plunger it makes sense to choose a model that applies maximum pressure on the clog. Instead of a standard sink or tub plunger that just has a rubber cup, your best plunger option is a flange design that is more suited to the curved shape of the total bowl. Flange toilet plungers are a variation of the standard plunger concept but with a flange end (a circle of rubber that sticks out at the bottom of the plunger, sometimes also called a funnel nose). By placing the flange section into the drain, you will create a more effective seal over the toilet hole which not only ensures maximum vacuum and pressure build up but also minimizes slippage and splash back. The Oxo toilet plunger
is a one of the most popular models.
Another highly effective plunger is a ball plunger. This looks like a misshapen ball rather than a cup. A ball plunger exerts more pressure for clearing the trap way than a standard toilet plunger. Some ball plungers have a bellow shaped section (sometimes called a spring plunger) that allows for more power per push to loosen even the toughest toilet clogs. Many toilet plungers are sold complete with a toilet plunger holder.
You always want to keep a toilet plunger on hand as it will be much harder to clear a toilet clog without one. For times when you just cant get your hands on a plunger here are some tips on how to unclog a toilet without a plunger.
