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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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© 2024 Any Hour Services LLC

Pricing FAQ

A:

The prices you are quoted come out of our pricing guide. We have looked at the most common tasks we are asked to perform and figured out the average time to perform the task, the cost of the materials, and the cost associated with running a drain business that is able to stand behind that work.

To calculate the cost of your drain project, your plumber will determine the tasks needed. Each task has a price associated with it, which your plumber will add together to arrive at your total. This method allows us to identify and rule out unnecessary tasks, prioritizing fairness and transparency (while saving you money).

Our pricing method is not influenced by the neighborhood someone lives in but is designed to be fair and transparent. When we designed our pricing guide, we asked ourselves, “What does it take to perform this task?” NOT, “How much can we get a person to pay?” This commitment to honest, clear pricing reflects our respect for our clients.

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When you charge by the hour, you can only give a price after the job is finished. We don’t want you to have to wait until the end of the job to find out how much it costs.

We believe there are too many variables that make “charging by the hour” more of a win for the company than for the homeowner. There are the things that a homeowner has no control over but ends up paying the price for anyway: if a technician has to leave the job to get a part, if technicians work more slowly, if the job takes longer than expected, etc. With “charging by the hour,” there’s no accountability on the plumbing company to have their trucks stocked better, train their technicians better, or run their business more efficiently.

Our commitment to a fair and transparent pricing model is unwavering. We believe in doing right by everyone involved: the homeowner, the technician, and the company. This is not just a business decision, but a moral one, ensuring that everyone is treated with the fairness and respect they deserve.

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The staff answering our phones and scheduling appointments are not technicians. They do not understand how the plumbing in your home works or how to price the work you need help with.

Our process involves a comprehensive on-site assessment by our technicians to ensure no crucial details are missed. This thorough approach that looks at all variables is how we can provide you with a price that remains unchanged from the start to the completion of the work: the price we give you before the begins is what the cost will be after the work is performed. Here at Any Hour Services, we believe in honest pricing.

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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.

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Yes, you can request a quote online, and our team at Any Hour Services strives to respond promptly to all inquiries.

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It costs $269 to inspect your sewer main line with our sewer camera equipment. If you’d like to see what the inside of your sewer line looks like, our sewer supervisors have high-definition cameras to show you a live video of the inside your sewer main line.

Residential, owner occupied special:
$29 drain clear / rooter service. Unclog any drain, including the sewer mainline, as long as it has an easily accessible cleanout.

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A:

It costs $269 to inspect your sewer main line with our sewer camera equipment. Below you will find a couple internet specials to help you save. If you’d like to see what the inside of your sewer line looks like, our sewer supervisors have hi definition cameras to show you a live video of the inside your sewer main line.

Residential Special:
$149 live camera inspection. High-definition camera is set down your drain so you can inspect the condition of your sewer mainline. Need an easily accessible clean-out.

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A:

If you are looking to replace your sewer main line, one of our sewer supervisors will come to your home and inspect your sewer main line with a high-definition camera and show you what options are available. The visit doesn’t cost you anything, so call us if you have questions about replacing your sewer main line.

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Yes, in addition to our coupons, we offer senior discounts and military discounts. You can receive 5% off or any special promotions we may be running, whichever is greater. You can ask your drain technician to show you your savings.

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No, as long as you live in our service area, our drain technicians can come to your home and help. We service homes from North Ogden, South to Nephi. West from the Tooele/Grantsville area, east to the Park City Heber area.

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

When it comes to our drain clearing specials, if we can not clear your clogged drain, you don’t pay us.

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You can pay for the the drain work we perform 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 drain technician can talk to you about your options.

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Pricing FAQ

A:

Our pricing is fair and transparent. It’s based on a fixed-price guide that considers the time, materials, and costs of running a reliable home services business. We don’t charge by the hour or inflate prices based on your neighborhood. We ask ourselves, “What does it take to get the job done?,” not “How much can we 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.

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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.

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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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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.

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A:

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.

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We have a small dispatch fee to send our plumber to your home. Our plumbers will arrive in a truck stocked with thousands of parts. They’ll have everything they need to start your plumbing project while they’re at your home, unless the situation is unusual. They’ll perform a thorough evaluation of your plumbing system and explain what they’ll need to do to complete the work you called for. They’re not going to charge you by the hour, they will give you a total price, with options, before any of the work begins.

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There are several large plumbing projects that we are willing to show you what options are available and the visit doesn’t cost you anything; basement finishes, water heater install/replacements, water softener installs/replacement, repiping, tankless water heater install/replacement etc. This is not a complete list so call us if you have questions about your project.

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You will pay a little more to get a plumber to your home after hours but they do not charge more for the work you want them to perform. Our prices come directly from our pricing guide. We do not have a different set of plumbing prices for doing work in the evenings or on weekends. The price for the plumbing work you need done will be the same regardless of the time of day.

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No, our plumbers run calls on Saturdays and charge the same price as they would any other day of the week. We do not have a different set of plumbing prices for work performed on Saturdays. We are closed on Sundays.

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No, as long as you live in our service area, our plumbers can come to your home and help. We service homes from North Ogden, South to Nephi. West from the Tooele/Grantsville area, east to the Park City Heber area. Here is a full list of Utah Cities we service.

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A:

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, 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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A:

Yes, in addition to our coupons, we offer senior discounts and military discounts. You can receive 5% off or any special promotions we may be running, whichever is greater. You can ask your plumber to show you your savings.

Call Now

A:

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 HVAC work you want completed.

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