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Household Plungers & What They’re Used For

If you’ve tried to unclog a sink or toilet with a plunger and have been unsuccessful, the reason could be that you’re simply using the wrong plunger! Now you’re probably thinking, wait. There’s more than one type of plunger? The answer is yes; there are three types, actually—and each one of them serves very different purposes. So, because clogged drains are one of the leading problems in household plumbing, it’s important for homeowners to know about the various plungers available and how to use them effectively.

But also bear in mind that prevention is always better than cure! To save yourself from having to unclog a drain, either with a plunger or by calling a professional plumber, remember that there are certain things that should never go down the drain. The most disastrous are fats, oil, and grease. These should never go down your kitchen sink or any other drain in the house, including the toilet.
Additionally, you should never send anything down the toilet that isn’t toilet paper. This includes hair, tissues, paper towels, wipes, and—well—pretty much anything else. Click here to learn more about how to care for your kitchen sink and disposal as well. The bottom line is that you should avoid sending anything but water down your home drains. Here’s a good rule of thumb for everyone in the home: when in doubt, throw it out.

But if you do happen to need a plunger -- let’s walk through the different types and their uses so you can make the right choice for your next--uh--situation.
1 - SINK / CUP PLUNGER

The sink plunger is made primarily for just that: sinks. With its straight handle and flat-bottomed rubber cup, this plunger will only work effectively on a flat surface. The idea is that the cup covers the top of the drain to create a seal. Drains with a curved surface, like that of a toilet, won’t allow the plunger to make a proper seal or create the vacuum necessary to unclog a drain.

Additionally, remember that if you’re working on a double kitchen sink, be sure to cover or otherwise plug up the other drain. The two sinks have a drain that is connected, so you won’t get the pressure necessary to unclog your drain unless you cover one side. Also, if you’re trying to unclog a drain in a bathroom sink, be sure to cover or plug up the drain hole there as well.

Check out our video on: How to Unclog a Kitchen Sink with a Plunger

→ The Rundown: This plunger works best on most sinks, tubs, or drains on a flat surface.

2 - TOILET / FLANGE PLUNGER

It’s called a toilet plunger, but don’t let that get you down. This plunger’s versatile construction makes it a good fit for nearly any drain! Its tubular shape at the bottom makes it a good fit for curved toilet drains and the cup shape at the top allows for suction over flat-surfaced drains like tubs and sinks. This is possible because the inner tube can be tucked up into the cup so you can just use the suction cup part. However, just because your plunger CAN work on any drain, that doesn’t mean it SHOULD. Never use the same plunger on a tub or sink that you’ve used on a toilet as this could spread germs and disease. So, it’s best to designate a dedicated toilet plunger and a dedicated sink/tub plunger. If the two are the same style, make sure they are clearly marked so they don’t get mixed up.

The Rundown: This is the best plunger for toilets and is also versatile enough to fit most sink and tub drains. But buy more than one if you’re going to use it for both your sinks and toilets!

3 - ACCORDION PLUNGER

Made up of rigid plastic, the accordion plunger can pack a punch to stubborn toilet clogs. However, while it can produce a lot of force, it is not very easy to use. Because the plastic is stiff, creating a vacuum seal over the drain can be challenging. Also, because this plunger is made of plastic and not traditional rubber like other plungers, it’s possible this plunger might scratch the surfaces of your toilets.

The Rundown: This plunger is pretty much only good for toilets.

MORE PLUMBING TIPS:
Always try plunging first, before using toxic chemicals. This is a good rule of thumb for two reasons. One, plunging does not flush corrosive liquids down your drains or pour toxins into the water supply. Two, if you pour chemicals down your drain and then try to plunge, the plunger may splash those chemicals onto your clothes and skin, into your eyes, or around the room. Be safe and try the plunger first!
  • Always use the right plunger for the job! The wrong plunger will be frustrating and ineffective. 
  • Make sure your plunger is in good repair. If your plunger is torn or cracked, it will not work effectively. Make sure to keep the plunger clean and dry so it will last longer.
  • Be sure to plunge straight up and down at a vertical angle so you don’t break the seal and so you can get the most force out of your plunges. 
  • Create suction by letting air out of the plunger and submerging the plunger in water. Add water if necessary to cover the plunger cup and create the best seal.
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Logo for Any Hour Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Air featuring a smiling technician with crossed arms, a stopwatch, and a bold, professional tone.

Any Hour Services

1374 West 130 South, Orem, UT 84058

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Our pricing is fair and transparent. We use a fixed-price guide that reflects the time, materials, and real costs of running a dependable home services business. No hourly rates. No inflated prices based on where you live. We focus on what it takes to get the job done—not on how much we can charge.

Before we price your drains or excavation project, our expert technician will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

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We prefer to price based on the job and not what other companies charge. Hourly rates can lead to unexpected costs for homeowners, making the final price unpredictable. By pricing the work itself, we make sure you’re only paying for what’s actually needed—keeping things fair and efficient.

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Requesting a quote is simple. Contact Any Hour Services, and we will assess your needs, providing a transparent estimate for the repairs.

We also provide FREE estimates and second opinions for major plumbing and excavation projects like repiping, sewer or water line replacements, remodels, and outdoor drain installs. Our team will evaluate the job in person, explain your options, and give you clear, upfront pricing. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just honest answers and expert service.

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We offer a $29 Drain Clear for single, easy-access drains. A licensed plumber will inspect the issue, clear out buildup like grease or debris, and get things flowing again. It’s a simple, affordable way to fix slow drains and help protect your plumbing from bigger problems down the line.

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You can pay for your service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies (On Approved Credit). Your technician can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the work you want done.

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Our phone staff are not expert technicians, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained technician needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

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Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a trained technician can assess the job properly.

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A: We have a small dispatch fee to send our technician to your home. They’ll arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts, ready to complete most jobs the same day. After a thorough evaluation, your technician will explain the issue, walk you through the recommended fix, and show you your options and final price. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just a clear, upfront price before any work begins.

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Pricing FAQ

A:

Our pricing is fair and transparent. We use a fixed-price guide that reflects the time, materials, and real costs of running a dependable home services business. No hourly rates. No inflated prices based on where you live. We focus on what it takes to get the job done—not on how much we can charge.

Before we price your plumbing job, our licensed plumber will perform an in-home assessment to evaluate the tasks required. We only charge for what’s necessary—no fluff, no extra costs. This allows us to pinpoint areas where we can save you money without sacrificing quality.

Call Now

A:

We price the job—not the clock. Hourly rates can be unpredictable, leaving you unsure of the final cost until the job is done. We believe in upfront, fixed pricing based on the work itself—not guesswork. You won’t pay for delays or mistakes, and we hold ourselves accountable to ensure there are no surprises.

Call Now

A:

We prefer to price based on the job and not what other companies charge. Hourly rates can lead to unexpected costs for homeowners, making the final price unpredictable. By pricing the work itself, we make sure you’re only paying for what’s actually needed—keeping things fair and efficient.

Call Now

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Water heater replacements vary. Often, older units require updates to meet safety standards. Common items missing from many water heaters are flexible gas lines, expansion tanks, earthquake straps, gas sediment trap, upgrade exhaust venting, etc.

For an accurate quote, one of our licensed plumbers will inspect your existing system and provide a FREE estimate.

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Our phone staff are not licensed plumbers, so they can’t quote prices that would be accurate to your project’s needs. A trained plumber needs to see the job firsthand to give you a clear, upfront price. Quotes over the phone are a guess, and we prefer transparency over uncertainty.

Call Now

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Ballpark prices can be misleading. Until we see the job, we can’t quote your final estimate accurately. Other companies may give an estimate range, but that often leads to additional costs and surprises later. Instead, we focus on giving you a fair price once a licensed plumber can assess the job properly.

Call Now

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We have a small dispatch fee to send our plumber to your home. They’ll arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts, ready to complete most jobs the same day. After a thorough evaluation, your plumber will explain the issue, walk you through the recommended fix, and show you your options and final price. No hourly rates. No surprises. Just a clear, upfront price before any work begins.

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Yes! We offer FREE in-home estimates for major projects like water heater installations, water softeners, and repiping—without any dispatch fee. Our licensed plumber will assess the job, explain your options, and provide a clear, fixed price. No surprises or hourly rates—just honest, reliable service. Schedule your FREE estimate today!

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No, our plumbers don’t quote a price until they have seen your plumbing project. Once they quote a price, it doesn’t change, no matter how long it takes. At any time, if you want to add more tasks to your plumbing project, your plumber will let you know how much it would cost to perform the extra work.

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You can pay for your plumbing service with cash, check, or any major credit card. We collect, in full, upon completion of the project. If you would like to make monthly payments, we do have many financing options available through 3rd party finance companies, OAC. Your plumber can talk to you about your options when they give you pricing options for the work you want completed.

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