HOUSE REPAIRS 101 – Unclog a Toilet
(Part 5/8)

Let’s face it, everybody hates this task, however, sometimes you just have to take the plunge… or more accurately, pick up the plunger…

A flange plunger, which has a cone extending from the bottom of the bell, is recommended. Creating a better seal in the toilet than a cup plunger, it provides adequate suction to clear a clog.

Wearing rubber gloves, and if necessary, bail out the toilet bowl until it is half full. Then position the plunger over the drain hole, pumping up and down a few times to let the air out, creating a vacuum seal.

Once you feel resistance indicating the seal is good, pump in rapid quick strokes 4 or 5 times being careful not to break the seal. If you are lucky, the clog will clear…If not, repeat the process.

For those really tough clogs, it may be necessary to use a toilet auger. With a rubberized guard, it won’t scratch the porcelain the way a plumber’s snake might.

BTW – You can use a similar technique to unclog a sink, but use a cup plunger instead. Be sure to use a wet rag to plug the overflow drain or the 2nd drain in a double sink.

Please review our list of BLOG posts that address some typical tasks that all homeowners should learn to handle. It surely does not cover everything you will need to know about your house BUT it’s a great place to start…

• Put a Tool Kit Together (Part 1/8) Previous Blog
• Find the Water Main Shutoff (Part 2/8) Previous Blog
• Restart a Garbage Disposal Previous Blog
• Reset the Electrical Power(Part 4/8) Previous Blog
• Unclog a Toilet (Part 5/8) – Today’s Blog
• Put out a Grease Fire (Part 6/8)
• Change Your Air Filters (Part 7/8)
• Open Garage Doors With No Power (Part 8/8)

We all know that most homes don’t come with instruction manuals. Without a doubt, these little emergencies are bound to happen with home-ownership and NEW homeowners, especially, may not be equipped to deal with them…

We hope you found the 5th of 8 segments regarding “HOUSE REPAIRS 101” informative and interesting… Watch for our next BLOG POST in 2 weeks covering how to Put out a Grease Fire.

To locate our recommended “Trusted Vendors” in Spring Hill and Brooksville of Hernando County, Florida, be sure to visit our website at www.homesinthesunteam.com/trusted-vendors/.