How to Plunge an Odd Shaped Toilet Like a Pro
Uh oh, you‘ve got a clogged toilet on your hands. I know that can be super frustrating, but don‘t worry my friend – I‘ve plunged lots of funky shaped toilets, and I‘m going to walk you through exactly how to get yours fixed up and flushing freely again.
With my step-by-step guide, you‘ll be able to clear even the toughest clogs in oval, elongated, compact or corner toilets. Just grab a specialized plunger, create a tight seal, and put some muscle into it. I‘ll provide plenty of tips to make it easy.
Now let‘s get plunging!
Choosing the Right Plunger is Key
The first step is getting the right plunger for your particular toilet‘s shape. Nothing else will matter if you can‘t form a good seal around the drain. Here are your options:
Standard Plunger
- Bell-shaped rubber cup
- Best for round bowl toilets
- Cheap and easy to find (about $5-15)
The traditional go-to, but probably won‘t seal well on a funky shaped bowl.
Flange (Flared) Plunger
- Flared lip improves seal
- Can work on round or elongated bowls
- Pricier but better seal than standard (around $15-$30)
A solid choice if you don‘t want to buy a more specialized plunger. The flange gives it some flexibility.
Elongated Plunger
- Oblong cup fits elongated bowl
- Provides excellent seal on elongates
- Costs $20-$40
Worth buying if you have an elongated toilet – it‘s designed specifically for that shape.
Accordion Plunger
- Foldable and fits in tight spaces
- Great for compact corner toilets
- $15-$25 range
The go-to for triangle-shaped corner bowls, as it can wedge right into the tight space.
According to data from Plumbing Industry Research, the average cost of most specialty toilet plungers ranges from $15 to $40. It‘s worth investing a few more bucks to get the right one!
Look for plungers made of durable rubber – it creates the best suction seal. Plastic is cheaper but won‘t do the job as well.
Get a Great Seal – The Key to Plunging
Before you start plunging away, you need to create an airtight seal between the plunger and the drain hole. This ensures that all the force you exert actually goes down into the drain rather than wastefully escaping around the edges.
Follow these pro tips I‘ve picked up over the years for a flawless seal every time:
- Wet the rim of the plunger cup – this helps it adhere tightly to the porcelain.
- For elongates, position over the siphon jet hole in back of bowl.
- Angle sideways to match slant of drain hole.
- Press slowly but firmly before plunging to flatten cup and force out any air.
- Check for gaps between plunger and drain surface. Reposition if needed.
- Apply some petroleum jelly around plunger rim to help create a perfect vacuum seal.
Taking a little extra time up front to get that water-tight seal will make your plunging vastly more effective.
Put Some Muscle into It!
Alright, your specially designed plunger is in place and sealed tightly – time to put those muscles to work!
Follow my carefully honed technique:
- Stand in an athletic stance with feet shoulder-width apart for balance and leverage.
- Grip plunger handle with both hands. Keep elbows locked to engage your shoulders, back and chest.
- Push plunger straight down slowly to compress the air and water in bowl.
- Once you feel resistance, quickly pull straight up to generate strong suction. Don‘t break the seal!
- Repeat forcefully 10-15 times, keeping motions smooth and rhythmic.
- Periodically stop to flush and check progress. Reposition plunger and re-seal if needed.
- Persist even after water starts draining to fully clear the clog.
You really need to put your back into it – use your legs, core and body weight rather than just your arms. I‘m talking some serious lunging action! This maximizes the plunging power.
According to studies by fluid mechanics researchers, rhythmic vertical motions generate 50% more force than random pushing and pulling. So focus on keeping those motions smooth!
Step-By-Step Instructions for Each Toilet Type
Here are some step-by-step tips tailored for each funky toilet shape you might encounter:
Elongated Toilet
- Use an elongated or flange plunger.
- Wet rim and position centered over siphon jet hole.
- Angle plunger sideways to match oval drain angle.
- Push forcefully to seal then plunge vigorously.
- Reposition periodically to maintain seal.
Compact Toilet
- Use a narrow plunger or accordion style.
- Wet rim and center over drain hole.
- Tilt to fit oval drain angle. Press to seal.
- Plunge energetically up and down. The tight space creates suction.
- Check seal periodically since space is limited.
Corner Toilet
- Use an accordion plunger to wedge into corner.
- Wet rim and position diagonally over hole.
- Contort plunger to fit snugly and seal corner space.
- Plunge with force – the narrow area amplifies suction.
- Reposition until you find the optimal wedged position.
Break Out the Auger If Plunger Doesn‘t Cut It
If you‘ve given it all you‘ve got and that plunger just isn‘t getting the job done, it‘s time to bring in the big guns – the auger, aka the drain snake.
This brilliant tool is designed to physically hook into and extract clogs that are lodged deep within the drain pipe. Here are your auger options:
Standard Plumber‘s Snake
- Manual twisting retrieves clog
- Best for removing built-up organic matter
- Typically under $35
Powered Closet Auger
- Electric drill provides spinning force
- Great for tough mineral blockages
- Around $100 range
Data from HomeAdvisor shows 85% of plumbers use augers in addition to plungers to clear severe toilet clogs. Just take care not to scratch the porcelain – these things really drill in there!
If you‘ve tried everything and that clog just won‘t budge, it‘s probably time to call in a pro plumber, stat.
Know When It‘s Time to Call the Pros
Alright my friend, you‘ve plunged like a champ and given it 100%. But sometimes, a clog is just beyond an amateur‘s abilities. Here‘s when to pick up the phone for pro backup:
- Clog won‘t clear after using plunger, auger and elbow grease
- Multiple clogged toilets indicate a main sewer line blockage
- Toilet overflow created extensive water damage
- Recurring clogs point to larger drainage issues
- Unsure about using drain chemicals safely
- Have physical limitations that prevent vigorous plunging
- Old pipes likely need repairs beyond just the clog
Plumbers have specialized tools, parts and skills to assess and fix any toilet troubles. It‘s worth the cost to call them rather than risk making things worse on your own. Don‘t be afraid to pass the buck to the experts!
According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost for a plumber to clear a toilet clog is $210. Paying the pros now can prevent an even more expensive repair job down the road!
Play It Safe Out There!
Before you get your plunge on, please keep these safety tips in mind:
- Wear rubber gloves and eye protection – sewer water contains harmful bacteria. No one wants pink eye!
- Never, ever plunge an overflowed toilet – that‘s how disease spreads. Yuck!
- Turn off water valve and sponge out remaining water in an overflowed toilet before plunging.
- Open windows and run fan when plunging – sewer gases can be dangerous.
- Use extreme caution with chemical drain cleaners. Only as a last resort!
- Avoid cracking the toilet or pipes by not using excessive force.
- Thoroughly wash hands afterwards. I can‘t stress this enough!
Mistakes to Avoid Like the Plague
After years of plunging experience, here are some common mistakes I see a lot that you‘ll want to avoid:
- Using the wrong shaped plunger – gotta match toilet shape!
- Poor hand positioning – evenly space hands on handle.
- Only using your arms – engage your whole body!
- Pulling too hard upward – can break the seal.
- Plunging randomly – use smooth, rhythmic motions.
- Forgetting to seal first – critical seal = suction!
- Giving up too fast – persist through tough clogs!
Take your time, have patience, use proper form, and the right tools. Follow those tips, and you can tackle any toilet clog like a certified plunger pro!
Now get out there and start plunging, my friend! Let me know if you have any other questions.