Every household should have a toilet plunger. You just never know when your toilet will get clogged up, and often its just before your boss or girlfriend is due to arrive. If you have a low flush toilet you will know from experience that sometimes all it takes is a bit too much balled up toilet paper to cause a back up. Low flush toilets are designed with water conservation in mind and the tank capacity is approximately half that for traditional toilets. To solve the problem quickly it’s a good idea to purchase one of the best toilet plunger models on the market. These are able to exert a great deal of pressure per push and will work even on difficult clogs.
A toilet plunger works by applying pressure on the clog followed by suction. The downward pressure on the plunger forces air and water towards the clog while the pull back creates a suction effect. Some plumbers will tell you that you are trying to “push” the clog out and into the main drain, while others will tell you that the goal is to “pull” the clog back into the toilet bowl, so that it can be disposed of. In practice, you’ll find that you will be doing a bit of both. The most important piece to get right is to ensure that you create a solid seal over the exit hole and use a steady motion. Some toilet plunger experts advice you to warm up the rubber cup section of the plunger by manipulating it a few times in your hands before you place it over the clogged toilet hole, but many people prefer not to touch the working end as it may not be very hygienic.
If you are in the market for a toilet plunger then your best bet is to choose either a flange plunger or a ball plunger. These are modification on the standard tub or sink plunger that are specially designed for use on toilet clogs. A flange plunger has an extra piece of rubber that is placed in the toilet drain. The flange ensures that you maintain a strong seal over the toilet drain while you are plunging. Ball plungers often have a bellow shaped section which when pumped up and down exert far more pressure than a standard plunger. You’ll often find combination plungers which are shaped like a misshapen ball with bellows and also have a flange section of rubber protruding off the end.
Whichever design you choose, it is usually a good idea to get the best model that your budget will allow. Plungers may not be fun to shop for or to use, but when the time comes that they are needed, you will be very glad that you have one that gets the job done.
