 Photo courtesy of Canva A clogged drain or overflowing toilet always seems to happen at the worst possible time. But before you panic, grab your plunger! It's one of the most effective (and underrated) tools in your home.
At Tony’s Plumbing and Heating, we’ve unclogged just about everything—and we’re here to share how to use a plunger properly so you can handle small clogs like a pro. First, Choose the Right Plunger Not all plungers are the same! There are two main types: 1. Cup Plunger (Flat Bottom)
Step-by-Step: How to Use a Plunger Whether it’s a sink or toilet, here’s how to plunge effectively: 1. Add Water If Needed There needs to be enough water in the bowl or basin to cover the plunger’s cup. This helps create a strong seal. 2. Create a Tight Seal Position the plunger directly over the drain and press down gently to force out the air. Then, firmly press and pull the plunger up and down--without lifting it off the surface. 3. Plunge with Force Use strong, quick thrusts for 15–30 seconds. You're creating suction and pressure to dislodge the clog. 4. Test the Drain Remove the plunger and check if the water drains. If not, repeat the process. Some clogs take a few rounds. What Not to Do
Clean Up After the clog is cleared, clean your plunger with disinfectant and hot water. It’s a good idea to store it in a bucket or container for sanitary storage. Still Clogged? Call Tony’s Plumbing and Heating If you’ve tried plunging and nothing’s working, or the clog keeps coming back, it might be a sign of a deeper issue—like a blockage in your sewer line or buildup in your pipes. We’re here to help with:
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It can be confusing when you’re doing a little DIY plumbing, so we put together some information for you to understand the basics of your toilet. What are all the pieces and parts? If someone says, “your flapper may not be sealed”, do you even know what a flapper is?
A toilet has two main parts, the tank and the bowl. The tank holds all the “plumbing” so to speak. It has all the bits that make the toilet flush. This includes the fill valve, the flush valve, the flapper, and the float. And of course the bowl is the part you sit on. Toilet tank components
 There’s always a distinct feeling of dread when you notice a chip or crack in the porcelain at home. Commercial epoxy fillers, chip repair kits and refinishing products are available for easy and simple repairs to small dings and damage. These products are handy ways to keep the costs down as long as there are only minor issues. But, how do you know when it’s time to replace the toilet, or simply repair it?
Toilets last a long time, and especially when cared for properly, you can’t look at a toilet and know how old it is. So, if you’ve started to have issues with your toilet there are a few signs to look out for that will show you whether you should replace or repair it. The first thing to contemplate when considering replacing a toilet, is the actual number of issues. Write them out, and then think about the time you’ll need to invest in the toilet to repair it. If there are a couple of chips and the toilet set needs to be replaced, that’s one thing. But if there is a crack, the flip valve is busted and it’s leaking...maybe it’s time to consider giving Tony’s a call. Does your toilet shift when you sit on it? This is a clear sign the toilet needs to be replaced. Toilets should never shift if sat on, it could be a sign that the toilet is improperly sealed. You can attempt to tighten the bolts on either side of the toilet, but if this does not fix the issue contact a plumber immediately. If your water consumption is incredibly high, your toilet could be the cause. If you’ve noticed that your water use is high at home, it could be beneficial to invest in a low-flush toilet. Low-flush toilets use an average of 2 gallons per flush, while typical toilets can use somewhere between 3-5 gallons. Frequent clogs are also a sign that your toilet is getting on in age, which can be common in older or low-flush toilets. If you have to plunge the toilet weekly or more, it could mean that it’s no longer working efficiently. Being a homeowner comes with a laundry list of responsibilities. You need to think about things like energy efficiency, when the bathroom was last caulked and whether that eerie thud in the pipes is a problem worth fixing. Minor damages are bound to happen in any well lived space due to typical wear and tear, but sometimes minor damage crosses over to major fairly quickly, and almost always when we are least expecting it. Not everything requires a professional to replace, however, this laundry list can become expensive fast. If you’ve got questions about an ill functioning toilet not answered in this list, call us, your favorite local Minnesota plumbers Tony’s!  Few people do this, but have you ever read the instructions on your cleaning products? If you’re using disinfectants, they need to sit on the dirty surface and soak to be effective. This means any time you have sprayed and swiped; you’ve actually just pushed the germs around! Cleaning high trafficked areas has never been more important than it is in today’s world. The busiest place in any given household? The bathroom.
Cleaning your bathroom is an important part of a healthy home. The toilet is something every person in your home will touch at one point or another, so it needs to be cleaned regularly, and properly. Using a strong disinfectant will ensure you are getting rid of any bacteria that might be hanging around. You need to make sure that your toilet is clear and free of any debris before you spray any disinfectants on and allow them to then soak. Lysol cleaning spray instructions state they need to soak for ten minutes to be effective! You need some important items to clean a toilet properly:
The first step to thoroughly cleaning a toilet is going to be clearing away any items surrounding the toilet. Remove all rugs and items that may be sitting behind it and clean them, as flushing the toilet will cause bacteria to spray outside of the bowl. It is unsanitary to keep items too close to the toilet. In small and large bathrooms alike, it is always a good idea to flush the toilet with the seat down, and make sure you clean any items that are spending time in the area. After removing extra items surrounding the toilet, use a rag or paper towels to do a cursory wipe down and remove any dust around the toilet. Spray the toilet, and surrounding area with your disinfectant and turn your attention elsewhere while your product does its job. Lift the toilet seat and pour in your cleaning solution allowing it time to soak as well. Once you have allowed the product to fully saturate the toilet, use the bristled brush to scrub the inside of the toilet. It is important to make sure you scrub under the rim inside the toilet bowl, as debris can build up keeping your toilet filthy no matter how clean the rest of it becomes. Sponges, old toothbrushes, and bristled brushes are great tools for getting into the cracks and grooves of any tile grout or crevices near the toilet. After you’ve scrubbed every inch, wipe the toilet down with a wet towel or some paper towels. Cleaning the bathroom is not a glamorous chore, no matter how you spin it. We all know how nice it is to have a thoroughly cleaned bathroom. This is one of the most used places in the home, so it is important to clean all areas that are frequently touched. The toilet is a place everyone uses, and if you live in a home with multiple people it’s important to keep up on how often you clean both that toilet and bowl.  The plumbing inside your home is a delicate system. It only works as well as you take care of it, and since it’s just some plumbing - it’s often easy to forget what proper care looks like. Take the toilet for example. You use it every day, right? That toilet is connected to piping, drainage, sewer or septic tanks depending on the waste management system. It’s a long process, and it’s important to know what you’re sending down the line.
Contrary to common understanding, there are numerous items that are thought to be appropriate to flush that are actually bad for your toilet. We see it in movies, on TV, and read about it in books. We flushed our first guppy after a moment of silence for their passing, and tossed a used tissue in the bowl, neither of which belonged there! This list is brief, but covers the most common items we’ve unfortunately found inside the pipes.
If you’re flushing any of these items down your toilet, please think twice. The only things that should be flushed down the toilet are human waste, and toilet paper. Not only are you polluting your local water systems, but you’re actually damaging your own plumbing! Consider the environment, and your wallet the next time you flush. We know that people make mistakes, so if you’ve accidentally flushed something down the toilet and created a clog we are here to help. |
AuthorAt Tony's Plumbing & Heating, we offer outstanding residential and commercial plumbing and heating services in the East Twin Cities metro. With our blog, we hope to bring you useful tips and tricks for ever day life! Categories
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