Drain plunger

A drain plunger is a hand tool that uses suction and compression to dislodge soft blockages in toilets, basins, sinks and small floor wastes. The two main styles are the cup plunger for flat surfaces and the flange plunger with a folding sleeve for toilet bowls. Effective use requires a wet seal around the waste opening, with the plunger worked vigorously up and down to create alternating pressure pulses. Plungers are the most basic clearance tool and are appropriate for soft, accessible blockages such as paper, hair and food waste in the trap. They will not clear hardened scale, root masses or solid blockages further down the system. After use, the plunger should be disinfected and stored separately from other tools as it has been in contact with foul wastewater.