How to Use a Plunger: The Unsung Hero of Household Problem-Solving

Somewhere between the invention of indoor plumbing and the modern day, we collectively decided that certain household skills were too mundane to pass down properly. Yet here we are, millions of us standing over clogged toilets and sinks, wielding plungers with all the confidence of a medieval knight handed a smartphone. The truth is, most people are doing it wrong—and I mean spectacularly wrong.

I learned this the hard way during my first apartment disaster back in 2018. Picture this: water rising ominously in the toilet bowl, my roommate shouting unhelpful suggestions from the hallway, and me frantically stabbing at the water like I was churning butter. It wasn't until my building's superintendent—a gruff but kind soul named Frank—showed me the proper technique that I realized plunging is less about brute force and more about understanding basic physics.

The Physics Nobody Taught You

Water doesn't compress. This simple fact is what makes plungers work, yet somehow it's the most overlooked aspect of the whole operation. When you create a seal and push down on a plunger, you're not trying to punch through the clog like some kind of aquatic battering ram. You're creating pressure waves that travel through the water, alternately pushing and pulling at whatever's causing the blockage.

Think about it this way: if you've ever been in a pool and felt someone cannonball nearby, you've experienced these pressure waves firsthand. The plunger is essentially creating controlled cannonballs in your pipes. The key word here is "controlled."

Most clogs aren't solid walls of material. They're usually accumulations of toilet paper, hair, soap scum, or that regrettable amount of leftover spaghetti your kid decided to flush. These materials have gaps and weak points. The alternating pressure from proper plunging works these weak points until the whole mess breaks apart and flows away.

Choosing Your Weapon

Not all plungers are created equal, and this is where things get interesting. Walk into any hardware store and you'll find at least three different types, each designed for specific battles.

The classic cup plunger—that red rubber dome on a stick that appears in every cartoon—is actually terrible for toilets. Its flat bottom is designed for flat surfaces like sink and tub drains. Using it on a toilet is like trying to eat soup with a fork. Sure, you might get some results eventually, but you're making life unnecessarily difficult.

What you want for toilet duty is a flange plunger, sometimes called a toilet plunger. It has an extra rubber flap (the flange) that extends from the bottom of the cup. This design fits into the toilet's drain opening, creating a much better seal. Some models even have accordion-like sides that provide extra oomph.

Then there's the accordion plunger, which looks like a bizarre rubber accordion attached to a handle. These can generate serious pressure, but they're harder to control. I've seen people accidentally create geysers with these things. They're the power tools of the plunger world—effective but requiring respect and proper technique.

For sink and tub drains, stick with the classic cup design. Some people swear by those tiny sink plungers that look like toys, but I find a standard cup plunger works fine for most household drains. Just make sure you're not using the same plunger for your toilet and kitchen sink. That's a hygiene nightmare waiting to happen.

The Technique That Actually Works

Here's where most people go wrong: they focus entirely on the downward push. But effective plunging is about the pull as much as the push. Actually, the pull might be even more important.

First, you need water in the bowl or basin. If your toilet has overflowed and drained, add water until it's about halfway full. For sinks, fill them with a few inches of water. The plunger needs water to work with—trying to plunge air accomplishes nothing except maybe a good arm workout.

Position the plunger at an angle and slowly lower it into the water. This lets air escape from the cup. If you just slam it down, you'll trap air inside, which compresses (unlike water) and reduces your effectiveness. Once the plunger is in position, straighten it so the handle is perpendicular to the drain opening.

Now comes the crucial part: the first push should be gentle. You're trying to force out any remaining air and create a solid seal. Feel around the edges with the plunger—you want complete contact all the way around. For toilets, make sure that flange is inserted into the drain opening.

Once you have a good seal, push down firmly but not violently, then pull up sharply. The pull is what really does the work. You're creating negative pressure that sucks at the clog from the other side. Repeat this push-pull motion steadily, maintaining the seal. After several cycles, pull the plunger away quickly to break the seal. If water rushes down, you've succeeded. If not, reposition and try again.

When Things Get Complicated

Sometimes a standard plunging session isn't enough. Maybe the clog is particularly stubborn, or perhaps it's located further down the line than a plunger can effectively reach. Before you call a plumber (though there's no shame in that), there are a few advanced techniques worth trying.

For toilet clogs that won't budge, try the hot water method. Heat a large pot of water to just below boiling—you don't want it so hot that it cracks the porcelain. Pour it into the bowl from waist height. The combination of heat and force can help break up organic clogs. Follow up with plunging while the water is still warm.

Some people add dish soap to this process. A generous squirt of dish soap can help lubricate things and break down grease-based clogs. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before adding the hot water and plunging.

For sink clogs, you might need to address the overflow drain. In bathroom sinks, this is the small hole near the top of the basin. Cover it with a wet cloth or duct tape before plunging. Otherwise, you're just pushing air through the overflow instead of creating pressure on the clog. Same goes for double kitchen sinks—you'll need to block one drain while plunging the other.

The Dark Side of Plunging

Let me share something that plumbing professionals know but rarely discuss: aggressive plunging can cause more problems than it solves. I learned this after enthusiastically plunging a friend's toilet and hearing an ominous gurgling from their bathtub. Turns out, excessive pressure can push clogs deeper into the system or even damage old pipes.

In apartments or condos with shared plumbing stacks, vigorous plunging can push your problem into your neighbor's apartment. Nothing ruins a relationship with the folks downstairs quite like flooding their bathroom with your sewage.

There's also the splash factor. Toilet water isn't just water—it's a bacterial cocktail you definitely don't want on your face or in any open cuts. Always plunge with the lid as closed as possible (yes, this is awkward, but so is explaining to your doctor how you got that infection). For extra protection, drape an old towel or plastic bag around the plunger handle where it meets the water.

Beyond the Plunger

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the plunger fails. This doesn't mean you've failed—it means the problem is beyond what a plunger can handle. Tree roots infiltrating sewer lines, collapsed pipes, or clogs deep in the main line all require professional intervention.

The temptation to escalate to chemical drain cleaners is strong, but resist it. These products are environmental nightmares, can damage your pipes, and often don't work on serious clogs anyway. If anything, they make the plumber's job more dangerous when they eventually have to come fix the problem.

A plumbing snake (also called an auger) is the next logical step up from a plunger. These tools can reach clogs that are further down the line. But honestly? If you've given plunging a solid effort and it hasn't worked, it's probably time to call in the pros. There's no shame in recognizing when a problem is beyond your DIY capabilities.

The Maintenance Game

The best plunging session is the one you never have to do. A few simple habits can dramatically reduce your plunging frequency.

In the bathroom, those "flushable" wipes aren't. Neither are cotton swabs, dental floss, or hair. Get a small wastebasket for the bathroom and use it. For shower and tub drains, a simple hair catcher can prevent 90% of clogs.

In the kitchen, grease is the enemy. It might go down as a liquid, but it solidifies in your pipes like cholesterol in arteries. Let it cool and throw it in the trash instead. Coffee grounds, despite what your grandmother might have told you, don't "clean" your pipes—they clog them.

Run hot water down your drains regularly, especially in the kitchen. Once a month, fill your sinks and tub with hot water, then pull the plugs. The rush of water can help clear minor buildups before they become major clogs.

A Final Thought on Plunging Dignity

There's something almost meditative about proper plunging technique. It requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to work with natural forces rather than against them. In our instant-gratification world, plunging is a reminder that some problems require methodical effort and can't be solved with an app or a quick fix.

I've plunged toilets in fancy hotels, friends' houses during parties, and my own bathroom at 3 AM. Each time, there's a moment of satisfaction when the water swirls away that feels like a small victory against chaos. It's a basic life skill that connects us to the very real, very physical world of cause and effect.

So the next time you face a clog, approach it with confidence and proper technique. Your plunger isn't just a tool—it's your ally in maintaining the smooth functioning of modern life. Use it wisely, use it well, and maybe keep a spare one hidden away. Because if there's one universal truth about plumbing, it's that clogs always happen at the worst possible moment.

Master the plunge, and you master a small but significant piece of adulting. And really, isn't that what we're all trying to do—one clogged drain at a time?

Authoritative Sources:

Caroma. "The Science Behind How Plungers Work." Caroma USA, www.caromausa.com/blog/the-science-behind-how-plungers-work.

Environmental Protection Agency. "WaterSense: Fix a Leak Week." United States Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov/watersense/fix-leak-week.

International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. "Plumbing Drain and Waste Systems." InterNACHI, www.nachi.org/plumbing-drain-waste.htm.

Plumbing Manufacturers International. "Proper Disposal Practices for Fats, Oils, and Grease." Safe Plumbing, www.safeplumbing.org/health-safety/proper-disposal-fats-oils-grease.

The Family Handyman. "How to Unclog a Toilet." The Family Handyman Magazine, www.familyhandyman.com/article/how-to-unclog-a-toilet.