Drain Cleaning Service: Different Types Of Plungers And When To Use Them | Normal, IL

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Your drains are clogged and the water is backing up. There really isn’t much that you can do but call a drain cleaning service. The plumber will utilize various techniques and specialized tools to unclog the drain and get everything running smoothly again. However, until the plumber arrives, you can still try to unclog the drain a little bit in order to restore the flow of water down the drain and in order to minimize the amount of work that the plumber will have to do.

There are many different tools that you can use yourself. Some of the common recommendations include augers, chemical cleaners, and plungers. In this article, we’ll look at some of the different types of plungers that are available and when you should use them. The plungers won’t be able to completely remove the source of the clog; however, they should be able to make a small dent.

Cup Plungers

Cup plungers are also known as common sink plungers. These plungers essentially look like an upside-down bowl. They work properly on flat surfaces, like over a drain or in a sink, but don’t do as well on curved surfaces like a toilet bowl because it won’t curve down and form a proper seal. This is the type of plunger that you should use if your kitchen sink is clogged and won’t drain.

It’s fairly easy to learn how to use this type of plunger. You’ll find plenty of DIY videos online, but the concept is that it relies on both positive and negative pressure to create a vacuum effect. When you force the plunger downwards, it creates positive pressure. On the other hand, when you pull the plunger away from the fixture, it creates a negative pressure.

Accordion Plungers

Accordion plungers are a bit different from cup plungers. They look very different and have more of an accordion-like shape. These types of plungers are also typically made from hard plastic rather than rubber. They’re not easy to use but can produce quite a lot of force at once.

In most cases, accordion plungers are recommended for toilet use only. These plungers can help unclog the toilet, so you won’t need as extensive a drain cleaning service for the sewer line. You’d be surprised at just how often the toilet can get clogged if you flush things down the toilet that shouldn’t be there. This includes small toys and objects, food waste, and even sanitary napkins. Once the toilet gets clogged, it can be incredibly difficult to clean.

One thing of note about accordion plungers is that they can scrape the surface that you’re working on unlike the rubber alternatives, which are much softer on the surface. If you’re worried about scratching the toilet surface, leave the toilet alone and call for a drain cleaning service instead. The professionals performing the drain cleaning will be able to ensure that the toilet will not be damaged one bit.

Flange Plungers

Last but not least, we have flange plungers. These are also known as toilet plungers because they’re often used for toilets. In general, most experts would recommend using a flange plunger before moving onto an accordion plunger because a flange plunger will be softer on the toilet surface. This means that it will be less likely to scratch it.

Flange plungers look like a cup plunger, but it has a soft rubber flap that folds out from the cup. This flap is meant to be fitted over the curved toilet drain in order to create a tighter seal. This results in more suction. The flap can be tucked inside the cup as well. In which case, the plunger would look exactly like a cup plunger.

Tips for Using Plungers

Although there are many different types of plungers, the tips and tricks on how to use them correctly will be the same for all the different types.

For one, you want to get out as much air as possible in order to create a tight seal. This will ensure that you get enough negative and positive pressure to create a vacuum. In order to get a tight seal, slowly press down on the plunger in order to create suction, and also make sure that the entire plunger is submerged. If there is not enough water to cover the entire cup, the plunger will not be as effective.

Another thing that you’ll need to consider is the angle at which you are pushing down on the plunger. Make sure that you are pushing straight down on the plunger for the best results possible. If you push down at an angle, you might break the seal, and this will render the plunger less effective.

Once you’ve tried using a plunger on the clog, call a drain cleaning service to ensure that the obstruction is completely removed. While a plunger may loosen the clog, it won’t clean the inside of the plumbing, so the clog will return sooner or later if you don’t call a drain cleaning service.

Call Us for Drain Cleaning Services in Normal, IL

Is your drains completely clogged or is it only partially clogged? This is a sign that you should call a drain cleaning service in Normal, IL. Before the plumber arrives, you can try to use a plunger to get rid of as much of the obstruction as possible; however, it’s important to remember that a plunger can only do so much. You’ll get the best results if you call a drain cleaning service for a thorough cleaning.

Covenant Plumbing serves Normal, IL and offers competitive pricing for drain cleaning services. Our plumbers are licensed and insured and have over 13 years of combined experience. We also carry an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, so you can rest assured that many of our past customers were happy with our work. We pride ourselves in providing the best service possible!

Schedule an appointment by calling (309) 603-1253 or book your appointment online. We offer reliable, high-quality plumbing services and can service both residential and commercial properties. We guarantee that you’ll be more than satisfied with our quality of work.

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