How to put a plunger next to every toilet
The best plunger for a toilet is a flange plunger, so keep one beside every toilet. Its fold-out rubber flap fits the toilet drain, which a flat cup plunger can't seal. With the bowl about half full, pump quickly for 20 seconds and don't flush. If the clog stays, use a toilet auger or call a plumber.
The best plunger for a toilet, and what to use on sinks
Plungers look alike on the shelf, but the shape of the end decides what they can clear.
| Type | How to spot it | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Flange | A rubber flap folds out of the cup; longer handle | Toilets |
| Cup | Flat, cup-shaped end; shorter handle | Sinks, tubs and showers |
| Accordion | Small cup on a collapsible stem | Toilets only; Roto-Rooter rates it highly, but it does poorly on sinks |
Buy one for each toilet, plus a separate cup plunger for sinks and tubs. Roto-Rooter says to keep toilet and sink plungers apart for hygiene. Add a toilet auger too, because it's built for the curved trap in a toilet. A standard drain snake isn't the right tool there.
Where to keep a toilet plunger
Next to the toilet, in every bathroom, including the powder room guests use. A plunger stored in the garage means someone walking through the house with a dripping tool, or a guest too embarrassed to ask.
Pick a holder or caddy that lets it dry. Roto-Rooter suggests a cool, dry place out of direct sun, with the plunger hung up to keep germs off the floor. After use, rinse it, then disinfect it in a bleach-and-water solution for about ten minutes. Replace it when you see cracks or tears.
How to plunge a toilet, step by step
- Buy a flange plunger for each toilet
Check that the flap folds out. Add one cup plunger for sinks and tubs.
- Find the shutoff valve
It's behind the toilet near the floor. Turn it clockwise to stop water refilling the tank if the bowl rises.
- Set the water level
Aim for a bowl about half full. Bail some out with a bucket, or add water if it's nearly empty.
- Seat the plunger
Extend the flange, put the rubber ring into the drain opening, and keep the bell underwater.
- Plunge for 20 seconds
Use quick, firm thrusts without lifting the plunger out of the drain. Repeat if the water starts to move.
- Move on to the auger if it fails
Wear gloves and set a bucket nearby. Feed the cable in, crank to reach the clog, then reverse to pull it back.
What a flange plunger and toilet auger cost
| Item | What it costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flange plunger | Varies; low cost | One per toilet |
| Cup plunger | Varies; low cost | One for sinks and tubs |
| Toilet auger | Varies | One for the house |
| Plumber visit | Varies by area and time of day | Far more than the tools above, especially after hours |
Toilet plunger mistakes and when to call a plumber
- Flushing to check your work. Bob Vila warns the bowl may not drain, and flushing mid-plunge breaks suction and can overflow.
- Plunging with too little water. The bell of the plunger has to sit underwater.
- Plunging after pouring in drain chemicals. The splash risk is real. Tell a plumber if you've already used any.
- Pouring boiling water into a bowl. Hot-water tricks call for water just off the boil, and they aren't worth it if a plunger will do.
- Forcing a clog caused by a dropped object. Call a plumber instead.
Call a plumber when plunging and an auger both fail, or when you notice water backing up in other drains, sewage smells, or gurgling with the water off. Slow drains after plunging and loose flooring around the toilet are also warning signs. Several fixtures backing up together can point to a problem further down the line, and that's beyond a plunger.
What homeowners say about how to plunge a toilet
Don't count on plungers the seller left behind. Old rubber hardens and won't seal. Buy full-size ones, since one owner's small cheap plunger broke the first time. Several owners keep a 3–6 ft hand-crank toilet auger on hand from day one. One says it cleared a toy and whole rolls of paper that plunging couldn't move. (Reddit)
Skip the CO2 or compressed-air plungers. One commenter warns they can crack pipes and lead to a plumber bill over $1,000. A $3 flange plunger and a $6 toilet auger handle most clogs. (Reddit)
Don't rely on the plunger from a combo set with a toilet brush. Owners say those are often flimsy. One owner swears by a honeycomb flange plunger, but a plumber who visited them said a basic flange plunger is all you need. (Reddit)
Questions about the best plunger for a toilet
What kind of plunger is best for a toilet?
A flange plunger. The rubber flap fits into the toilet drain and makes the seal a flat cup can't manage on a curved bowl.
Why isn't my plunger working on the toilet?
Check for a poor seal, too little water in the bowl, or a cup plunger instead of a flange one. If those are fine, the clog may be too far down or too solid, so try an auger or call a plumber.
How do I stop a toilet from overflowing?
Don't flush again. Turn the shutoff valve behind the toilet clockwise, and wait for the water level to fall before you start plunging.
What you’ll need
Sources: rotorooter.com, Bob Vila
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.