A reader wrote in, asking for a couple of heavy duty toilet plunger recommendations. The ones they’ve been trying to use for heavy doodie unclogging applications keep breaking.
I have never broken a toilet plunger, but can imagine that plastic-handled ones might be less robust than wooden-handled ones. But I can also understand the hesitation for wood plungers, as wood is more porous and could be more difficult to clean and sanitize.
Advertisement
Right now, we’ve got an Oxo plunger that my parents got for us as an apartment-warming gift ($23 via Amazon). It’s only been used a couple of times to clear up mysterious clogs, but I can’t imagine how it might break.
I came across a “heavy-duty” aluminum-handled plunger ($23 for two), one that comes with a “how to poop like a pro” E-book ($15 via Amazon, and I wish I was kidding about the book), and a bunch of others that look only slightly different from each other. Amazon’s best-selling plunger has a steel handle ($15 via Amazon).
There’s nothing wrong with having to unclog a toilet – it happens. Drains sometimes need to be unclogged with a plunger as well. At my old research lab a custodian decided to wring out a mop in an already-slow-draining laboratory sink, which required a lot of plunger use to unclog. There was so much hair – where did it come from!!?
Breaking 1 plunger doesn’t seem like a big deal. But 2, 3, 5? That’s an indicator that it’s time to buy an auger, power plunger, or some other kind of drain-clearing accessory.
The reader indicated that different people in their household have been breaking the plungers. Seems to me that a sturdy metal-handled plunger is the right way to go. But even then, the reader says most of their plungers have failed at the point where the accordion or flange cup meet the handle.
So… which plunger would you recommend for the type of user that has broken every type of consumer plunger that they sell at big box stores? I would think that the steel-handled one on Amazon might be good, as it looks to have a solid cup-handle joint and many positive user reviews.
Advertisement
Bruce
Sounds like a pbkac problem to me. This sounds so bad, stop over-stroking the plunger. You don’t have to turn it inside out to get some good plunging action.
I’m just going to stop now.
fred
Force cups (aka plungers) with wooden handles will likely be more serviceable. The decorative ones with Lucite plastic handles seem more like toys than tools to me. We used ones made by Radiator Specialty Corp. – Model C-107 which also had a Wal-Rich equivalent #1825004 – works well on shower drains as well as toilets . Home Depot sells a force cup that’s more aligned to toilet use (HDX PSC2630) for $5.99 that look like it might be OK – and Amazon sells both an EZ-Flo and a Korky brand one that looks OK too.
http://www.heavydutystore.com/Radiator-Specialty-C-107-6-Free-Flo-Force-Cup-Plunger.html
But for HD clogs – it is better to invest in a quality closet auger – we used ones made by General Wire Spring (3FL) which sells for $61+ on Amazon (may be cheaper if you shop around) – and HD sells a Ridgid one for $50
Blair
I totaly agree with fred, a closet auger is far superior to a plunger, if only for the fact that a plunger may force a non disolving clog further into the waste line.
But it's me!
I second the force cup plunger recommendation, having a 20+ year old one still going strong, older than my kids. I actually purchased the Home Depot model noted for the upstairs bathroom. Close enough in functionality, but not quite as thick rubber construction. Wood handles are definitely a plus. The plastic ones look like they were designed by someone that has never touched the thing, able to break from sight. Especially the clear acrylic handled ones.
My asssumption has always been that the plunger work on both push and pull (with the force cup, especially) to move around the offending block enough to finally work its way through or break up. Of course, if your toddler tosses the faucet handle down the toilet while you replace it, and the toilet clogs every few days, a plunger won’t do much good!
I get bonus points for having once, briefly worked in a large doody plant! Greatest bunch of guys I ever worked with, which made up for the smell and other interesting things observed coming through the system.
Dobes
Smaller meals.
Joe
Lol, there are people, with out getting graphic, that throw out brick size (don’t ask me how I know). I tried to recommend one of those toilets, to this particular person, that have wider opening and greater suction with out trying to insult, but I was unsuccessful.
fred
Our best clog story was one where we had to pull the commode off entirely and back-flush it with a fire hose. Seems someone tried to flush a half grapefruit – and the closet auger was ineffective.
Jason
Overly aggressive plunging especially with the heavy duty bellows type plungers
applies pressure to the wax ring (seal) and in some cases can cause it to fail.
Don’t believe me ask on any plumbing forum
Benjamen Johnson
The plumbers in the comments can correct me if I’m wrong, but if you are using a plunger correctly doesn’t all the force go into the up/pull stroke. I can’t imagine actually getting a good enough seal to get the suction to separate the handle from the cup. Maybe the reader needs to show an educational video to the other people in the household?
BikerDad
I doubt it’s a matter of getting a good seal as much as it’s a function of applying the force in a direction other than perpendicular/plumb to the cup. In short, user error.
mike
Not even I can touch this one Stu. In words of some machinists I know,Dont Gorilla Grip it!! 😉
Chris Pyfer
http://hdsupplysolutions.com/shop/p/korky%C2%AE-maxperformance%C2%AE-plunger-p189833
Joe
This is one area of my job that I don’t like. Having a weak gag reflex does not help either. But, I would never use a plunger if they even payed me over time hours.
It only takes me about two minutes tops to unclog a toilet. You have to understand how the plumbing works though. Basically if you cannot unclog it with the snake, you have a bigger clog issue.
You need to be careful thought because you can easily scratch the inside of the toilet with the snake (don’t know if they come with instructions). If you are not a DIYer, you should stay with the plunger.
Having said that, they are not that expensive.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-3-ft-Toilet-Auger-59787/100061898?N=5yc1vZbqoe
bill
Plunger are a waist. The plunging action ruins wax seal. I would just buy a nice closet auger ($50). Also, if your toilet is clogging often you need a new one. There are many quality toilets that flush well these days for $200-300.
Esther
I know the person in question, and they have that wider opening, greater suction toilet. It still clogs.
Russ
Speaking as someone that clogs more than their share of toilets this is the plunger that I like best. It’s all plastic so it’s easy to clean and comes in two pieces so can be stored a bit smaller than full sized. I’ve only found it at Lowes.
Cobra 7-in Dia. Plastic Plunger with 12-in Handle
http://www.lowes.com/pd_24342-319-00320-8_0__?productId=4777133
Ola
A toilet should NEVER clog if the plumping is done properly or someone have thrown something stupid in it. Working at a place with about 200 toilets I know all about that …..
JohnA
Bran
Kurt
A few drops of dish soap helps a lot when you have to use a plunger.
Wayne Ruffner
Aren’t there new hydrophobic coatings available for these things now? If they don’t suffer unintended consequences, they should be a good improvement, right?
Kurt
I tried one of the Rubbermaid coated plungers. Worthless as a plunger as the rubber was too stiff. The coating worked like a charm though, and it may well be still shedding water in the landfill.
Stan
I figured Stuart was joking about the book, but really this book DOES exist apparently.
This begs the question if is there such a job as being a professional dumper. I mean that partially in jest, but in a sense context as well.
I’ve noticed that more plungers fail not so with the handle, but the actual plastic plunger part.
Apparently there is a company that sells high end plungers that are 100% American made that seem to carry a lifetime warranty as long as the plunger wasn’t abused/modified.
http://www.remadeco.org/
Stuart
$350 for a toilet plunger?!! With a leather cup guard… and they ship in a wooden crate with “wood wool.” Oh my. Surely there must be other USA-made plungers.
Chris Pyfer
Check my link.
Stan
Stuart,
Let’s be honest, at that price point, the only people who likely buy that are those likely have money to burn.
Korky produces 100% American made plungers and Rubbermaid produces a made in USA of global and imported goods plunger as well. There is also G.T Water Products with their Master Plunger line that is made in USA as well.
Unlike most manufacturer’s, at least that plunger has a lifetime guarantee at least. I mean a plunger is a plunger and typically most aren’t that expensive, but at that price point, good to see that at least.
But it's me!
Now that’s a hoot of a website! Took me a while to get that it was a play on the Best Made Company’s website and its pricey, but cool looking stuff.
Johnny E
Change your toilet.
I’ve replaced several toilets over the years with frequent clog problems, many of them Kohler toilets which people regard as good toilets. Get a Toto. The Drake model is a little over $200. Never had a problem since. The Japanese know their toilets.You’ll never need a plunger again.
H2Fr
Hi… your blog theme doesnt seem to show up under the browser Demonecromancy 69 I suspect its a problem coming from WP or your WP theme http://bestmmo.tumblr.com/post/140367087478/chivalry-medieval-warfare-the-best-combat
H2Fr http://bestmmo.tumblr.com/