There are few moments more dreadful than flushing a toilet and realizing it's clogged. Don't let the panic set in -- a clogged drain can be a big problem, but so long as you have the right tools and technique, there's no blockage that you can't take care of. Check out the right plungers to buy and how to use them effectively.
Depending on which drain gets clogged, you'll need one of two plungers:
A cup plunger is ideal for dealing with a blocked sink or tub drain. They have a dome-shaped rubber cup with a flat bottom, and they are perfect for fitting into those tight spaces and providing the pressure to unclog these drains.
When combatting a clogged toilet, you'll want a flange plunger. This plunger has a taller rubber cup than the sink plunger, with a sleeve on the bottom of the cup that creates a tighter seal and adds more suction. The narrow flange fits perfectly into the toilet bowl, making it the perfect choice for a blocked toilet.
Now that you know what plunger to use, you'll be prepared when it comes time to roll up your sleeves and get down to the nitty-gritty.
Be sure to take note of a few things when dealing with a clogged toilet:
If all else fails, call in a professional.
Now that you know how to unclog your toilet, it's worth taking the steps to make sure you don't have to use this technique too often. A few tricks for preventing your toilet from clogging include: