Introduction
When using a plunger, most people assume that there are only two kinds—the toilet plunger and the sink plunger. However, that’s not the case at all, and if you’re looking to buy one, it’s good to know which type to get depending on what kind of job you need it to do. In this article, we’ll go over what makes these different and how to choose between them when shopping for one.
Although they look similar, sink plungers and toilet plungers are built very differently. A good plunger will be able to handle just about any bathroom problem that arises, whether it’s a clogged sink or a backed-up toilet, but not all plungers are created equal. When buying one, it’s important to make sure you know exactly what you need and which type of plunger is going to give you those results. Here’s how a toilet plunger differs from a sink plunger and when each one should be used
While there are some differences between sink plungers and toilet plungers, most of them do have some features in common. For example, both have padded handles for grip and flexibility to get into every nook and cranny. Both also usually come with a flange at their base so you can rest them on top of your target vessel while applying force downward. The main difference lies in their dimensions—most sinks have vertical drains while toilets mostly have horizontal ones—and weighting systems within these two types. A sink plunger is going to be heavier than a toilet plunger since it has more material behind it. This makes it perfect for getting out clogs in kitchen or bathroom sinks but not ideal for unclogging toilets because it might push whatever’s stuck further down rather than pulling it back up. A lighter, less dense toilet plunger will help dislodge objects from deeper inside a drain without causing damage. If you’re not sure which type of plunger is right for your problem, just look at what’s stuck!
Toilet Plungers vs Sink Plungers
A Plunger is a Plunger, Right? Wrong! A plunger is an essential tool that you should have at home if you have problems with sinks or toilets. However, most people don’t know what they are getting into when they buy a toilet plunger or sink plunger thinking that they will solve all their problems with water blocking in toilets and sinks. Toilets and sinks are very different from each other, so you need to use a special type of plungers for each one of them – hence they differ from each other and can’t be used interchangeably! Read below to learn more about how to choose and use these two kinds of plungers efficiently to unblock your toilet and your sink without having to call for professional help!
What does a Toilet Plunger do? Soap scum builds up in bathrooms over time, forming hard-to-remove lumps on tubs and bathtubs. When trapped water mixes with soap scum and becomes still or stagnant, it leads to clogs formed by algae on drainage pipes and holes in sewers leading out of buildings. When blockages occur because these lumps keep growing even after you've flushed away standing wastewater, then it’s time to get out your toilet plunger! Unlike regular bathroom plungers (also called sink plungers), it has bellows designed specifically for clearing away larger chunks of dirt, mud, or soap scum.
Difference Between Toilet Plungers and Sink Plungers in Tabular Form
| Parameters Of Comparison | Sink Plungers | Toilet Plungers |
| Area of application | Sink in the basement, bathroom, or kitchen and shower drains and bathtub | For toilet bowl and tub drains |
| Presence of flange | The flange is absent in the sink plunger | The flange is present in the toilet Plunger |
| Handle | Straight | Straight or curved |
| Height | Shorter | Taller |
| Other names | Cup plunger | Flange plunger |
What are Toilet Plungers?
A toilet plunger is a drain opener designed to force air down a drain line and overcome clogs that are commonly caused by solid material, like hair, as well as greases and fats in water. A toilet plunger typically has an open design with a flange at one end of it or along it (the part that goes into your toilet), which creates suction when placed in water. You press down on top of it using strong force to eject air from inside its housing; as air travels from within its housing to outside of it, its pressure increases above atmospheric pressure—and since liquids expand when under increased pressure, you’re essentially forcing them out of your clogged pipes and back into your toilet bowl where they belong. Toilet plungers can be made of various materials including rubber, plastic, silicone, and metal. They come in various sizes depending on how big your toilet bowl is. The bigger ones tend to have more power behind them than smaller ones do, but some small ones work just as well for smaller jobs. Toilet plungers may also come with accessories such as brushes attached to their handles for cleaning purposes. While most people use a toilet plunger for toilets, they can also be used for sinks and tubs if need be! If you're having trouble with your sink, then give it a few pumps before calling for professional help. It could save you time and money! If your problem persists after several attempts, then it might be time to call in professionals who specialize in plumbing issues. Here are other tips on how to get rid of clogs.
Toilet Plunger - Using A Toilet Plunger Correctly: So now that we know what toilet plungers are, let’s take a look at how they should be used correctly so we don't damage our bathroom fixtures or cause unnecessary backaches.
Types of Toilet Plungers
there are 2 types of toilet plungers, solid rubber, and ball-shaped plungers. For a typical clog in a toilet with relatively solid waste, you can use either type to clear it out. A ball-shaped plunger might be better suited to getting rid of large, fluffy debris or small objects that got flushed down your toilet that aren’t supposed to be there (like a ring or earring). Your solid rubber plunger should work for all other clogs though - as long as you know how to use it! Read on for instructions on using both types of plungers. If you're not sure which kind of plunger to buy, go with a ball-shaped one. They're usually less expensive than solid rubber ones and they work just as well if not better than their more expensive counterparts. Also, most plumbing supply stores will let you take them home for free to try them out before purchasing them so don't worry about buying something without trying it first!
Plunge away!: Once you've selected your plunger(s), head over to your bathroom or wherever else is convenient for sink/toilet plunging. Make sure that everything is turned off so no water comes rushing into whatever drain you're trying to unclog!
What are Sink Plungers?
A sink plunger is different from a toilet plunger in many ways, but primarily because of its size and shape. A standard sink plunger will be large—much larger than a toilet plunger—and it’s designed to fit into a sink that’s full of water rather than waste. Sink plungers also tend to be constructed differently than toilet plungers—typically they have some kind of rubber cup inside, whereas a standard toilet-plunger handle is made out of wood or metal without any kind of special plumbing features built into it. Finally, you can buy separate plungers for sinks and toilets; using one as an alternative to another simply isn’t possible. This makes sense, though—because sink plungers are so much bigger than toilet plungers, if you used them on your toilet you’d likely end up making more of a mess!
The main difference between a sink plunger and a toilet plunger is their size. It would be very difficult to use a regular bathroom plunger on your kitchen sink, which means if you don't already own both types then it's probably worth investing in both at once. The reason behind these differences is simple: kitchen sinks are typically much deeper than bathroom drains (up to 10 inches), which means that even when they're clogged there's still plenty of room for air circulation. When using a sink plunger, it's important to fill up as much of that space as possible with water before plunging; otherwise, you'll end up pushing waste down into whatever pipe is connected to your drain rather than forcing it out. Another thing to keep in mind with sink plungers is that many have an additional rubber cup inside them; not only does this help seal off water from escaping through the top of your plunger but also helps ensure better suction as well. This isn't always true—plungers can come with or without cups—but if yours does have one then make sure you've pushed it all the way down into place before plunging!
Types of Sink Plungers
There are two types of sink plungers, one designed for use in sinks and one designed for toilets. A toilet plunger is larger and more rounded than a sink plunger, which is typically small enough to fit easily in a kitchen drawer or cabinet. The difference lies in their designs—toilets are larger than sinks, which means that their water traps are bigger and cause more water to collect inside the trap when flushed. To solve these problems, toilet plungers have an extended lip that can push down on both sides of a toilet trap with each plunge to ensure all air is expelled from it before being used again. A sink plunger has a smaller lip that only pushes down on one side of a sink trap at a time. Both kinds of plungers are made out of rubber, but toilet plungers tend to be softer and less dense so they don't damage your toilet by scratching its surface or by leaving bits behind after you've removed them from the toilet. If you're using a sink plunger in your toilet, though, there won't be any issues as long as you're careful.
A non-plunger option: If neither type of plunger works to unclog your toilet, try pouring warm water into it and waiting 15 minutes before trying again. Sometimes just letting water sit in your bowl will loosen whatever clog is causing trouble and make it easier to remove without damaging any surfaces or causing any additional messes. If that doesn't work either, consider calling a plumber instead of continuing to try DIY fixes. This will help avoid potentially expensive plumbing bills later on if left untreated!
Main Difference Between Toilet Plungers and Sink Plungers in Points
- Plunger Types and Functions In general, there are two types of plungers: sink plungers and toilet plungers.
- Both serve specific purposes, and you need to choose which one is more suitable for your needs (and budget).
- When it comes to plunging toilets, a sink plunger is not as effective or durable as a toilet plunger.
- While both will unclog drains, toilet plungers tend to be made from heavier-duty materials that can withstand constant use without breaking down or losing effectiveness.
- They also tend to have larger flanges that fit more securely over drain openings. A sink plunger, on the other hand, tends to be smaller in size and lighter in weight.
- It’s not meant for frequent use because it’s made from less sturdy material like plastic or rubber.
- If you only occasionally experience clogged sinks, then a sink plunger may do just fine for you!
- Toilet Plungers Vs. Sink Plungers Price is another important factor when choosing between toilet plungers and sink plungers.
- If you're looking for something economical but still high quality, look no further than our Value Line Toilet Plunger.
- For an even better deal, check out our Platinum Series Premium Quality Toilet Plunger.
- The price range goes up from there—but remember that quality goes up with price too!
- You don't want to end up having to replace a cheap product every few months.
- The Home Depot we have products for every type of homeowner, so you're sure to find something that fits your style AND your budget.
- Here's some information about how long plungers last. This information applies to both toilet plungers and sinks plungers.
- According to Consumer Reports, most plungers should last anywhere from six months to a year before needing replacement. However, some heavy-duty models can last longer than that!
- So unless you notice any significant damage such as cracks or tears in your plunger's cup or handle, you should be able to get at least a year of regular usage out of them before needing replacement.
Conclusion
Plungers come in a few varieties and can be used for several different purposes. While you may know that bathroom plungers are ideal for clearing clogs in drains, sinks, and toilets, they have other uses as well; sink plungers can be used to move water from one container to another and work just as well when you’re rinsing veggies or fruits. As long as you keep them clean after each use and store them correctly, both types of the plunger will last for years. If you need to replace yours due to damage or wear and tear, get ready—there are lots of plunger options out there! Which one is right for your needs?