Did you know that there are basically two types of plungers? One for sinks and one for toilets? Obviously there are a variety of plungers within each category but the point is, the plunger for the sink is different than the plunger for your toilet.
Sink plungers are the ones most people visualize when they talk about getting a plunger. It works well on flat surfaces (so it can work on bathtub drains as well). It’s perfect for any flat surface where it can create the kind of vacuum necessary to dislodge a clog.
Here are the simple steps on how to properly use a sink plunger.
Clean Out The Drain
You want to first remove any debris from it. To do this you remove the pop-up stopper and clean it up. It could be clogged with soap, hair, etc. You can also use a stop vac to suction up any loose debris that is in the drain itself. If these don’t clear out the clog in your sink then you will want to advance to using the sink plunger.
Seal The Overflow Openings
If your working on a clog in your bathroom sink, before you begin using the plunger you want to seal the overflow openings. These are the holes that you see on your sink. You will find then in one or two places but wherever they are, you want to seal them up so that the plunger can create a good enough suction to work on your clogged drain.
You can easily seal them up by placing a wet rag over the holes. Make sure the rag is securely in place blocking them.
Place The Plunger Over The Drain
So now you are ready to place the sink plunger over the drain itself. Before you begin pumping the plunger, turn on your faucet and put enough water in the sink to cover the cup of the plunger.
Pump The Plunger
Now you can begin actually using the sink plunger by pumping it up and down. Make sure to not lift the plunger off the drain, you want to maintain that seal so that it can generate a good amount of suction to dislodge the clog.
If your sink is shaped in such a way that it’s difficult to get that seal, you can try putting petroleum jelly on the rim of the cup of the plunger. This sometimes works to seal the plunger to the sink.
Pump the plunger about 6 to 8 times before you lift it. If the water in the sink drains easily, then you most likely loosened or completely removed the blockage in your drain. If not, repeat the process several more times.
Run Hot Water To Finish The Job
To finish the job, turn on your hot water faucet and let it run for about 3 minutes. This should help to clear out any remaining debris in the drain.
If you have any questions about unclogging your sinks, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.