Taking the Plunge(r)...
Anyone know where I can get a heavy-duty (no pun intended…) plunger? I don’t know if its the pipes in my building or what, but both my apt and tenants’ seem to have toilets that clog easily and sinks that drain slow– my dollar store plunger isn’t cutting it anymore. Perhaps it a sign of…
Anyone know where I can get a heavy-duty (no pun intended…) plunger?
I don’t know if its the pipes in my building or what, but both my apt and tenants’ seem to have toilets that clog easily and sinks that drain slow– my dollar store plunger isn’t cutting it anymore. Perhaps it a sign of a bigger issue, but right now I only have a budget for a serious plunger.
Tell me where you get a real-deal, master plumber-approved plunger in the PS/Gowanus/Brooklyn area- thanks for your replies!
Original poster, I understand what you are saying–been there, done that. You can get a better plunger than the dollar store model at any old hardware store or Home Depot or Lowe’s. Not to say that you shouldn’t call a plumber, just that you can spend $5 or $7 on a plunger that will work better than the cheapest ones without blowing out the plumbing in your house. I think I bought mine at the hardware store on Fulton St. east of Nostrand, the one with the deodorant and skin care products on sale in front (just in case you are in the neighborhood).
i actually used a cheapo plunger on my slow draining tub the other day and it worked great…. who knew!?
Master Plvmber was going to stay out of this conversation because his own tub has been running v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y for like two weeks. Mrs. Plvmber’s not happy.
Master plumber might have more info on this, but I was always told that you don’t want to plunge too hard as this can really lodge the obstruction to the point that even a snake won’t be able to clear it, or if the blockage is a complete seal, that air has to go somewhere and you can blow out an old fitting. So moderate plunging, then a snake.
For the OP, it sounds like you have something in there that’s partially blocking and catching things, so it works when you clear it, but it blocks a lot. You’d be amazed at the number of toothbrushes I’ve pulled out of pipes. How they get beyond the trap is a mystery to me, but they do. Then they wedge in at an angle. Waste can get by until things like toilet paper start to cling to them, then you end up with another blockage. It might pay to follow some of the other posters advice and get a professional snaking just to end the aggravation.
Are there such things as a more powerful plunger? Isn’t most of the power coming from the force being exerted?
OP here- actually I do end up using a snake since my plunger usually fails. I’d just like a more powerful plunger since usually the first snake pass clears things out and I think a more powerful plunger would do the trick most of the time.
Just looking to not have to drag out the snake each time.
I will look into more preventative solutions too as suggested.
I know about Lowes/HD obviously, but always get the impression their stuff is poor quality and figured plungers would be like that too.
Any more suggestions?
Thanks again.
This is silly. Get your drains clean by a professional now $130-$180 before you have an emergency and thousands of dollars in repair work.
Also, if you have lead waste pipes (very likely under toilets) snaking yourself is a bad idea.
Get a good plunger, but for the slow draining sinks you probably need them snaked. I had a good result with the any sewer or drain $49.95 guys 718-845-4995 http://www.a4995.com/ – cheap for one drain. If it’s multiple toilets and sink drains it will run into money. Call Python (718)605-0930, recommended by others on brownstoner http://www.pythondraincleaning.com/
If your sinks and toilets aren’t draining properly than a plunger isn’t what you need. Especially since it’s in two apartments.
Your vent may be partially blocked as well.
Like I said previuosly, call a PRO!