Most of us have had to put a plunger to work when fixing the occasional clogged toilet, but how many times have you tried using it on your sink? While this tool is effective at clearing drains of all types, plumbers recommend taking care if this is your first time doing so in your kitchen or bathroom sinks. The Plumbing Source has been helping people throughout the Cleveland, OH, area with top-notch services since 1985, so take some advice from the experts before you try your hand at your next DIY plumbing fix.

A Guide to Using a Plunger on Your Sink

Finding the Right Tool

Unfortunately, unclogging your sink isn't quite as simple as grabbing your long-handle plunger and awkwardly getting to work with it. You'll want to find a plunger with the right proportions for the job, including a flat bottom to provide the right amount of sealing power. Once you have the proper tool in place, you'll be able to use the forces of suction and compression to your advantage. 

Removing the Clog Effectively

The way you use the plunger is just as important. Once you have the drain opening fully covered, you'll want to thrust with an even upstroke and downstroke. In the case of small problems, you may notice that pumping becomes easier as the clog rapidly loosens. More serious drain cleaning issues will require a few passes, though, so pull the plunger away after around six pumps and assess the situation. Keep at it until water begins to noticeably drain and repeat the process above. 

Performing a Final Flush

If you manage to clear the clog, follow through with a hot water flush after the fact. This will help push any remaining debris through, preventing further buildup that could easily lead to another clog in the same area.

With that out of the way, you can officially revel in the victory of another successful plumbing repair. Using a plunger is a great way to get rid of clogs that are closer to the surface of the drain, but you may need to call in a professional plumber for the deeper dilemmas. Thankfully, The Plumbing Source has a large team of contractors with the ability to tackle jobs around the clock, which is perfect for those unexpected plumbing emergencies. Find out more about their services online, and call them at (877) 768-7239 to hire a plumber today.