Plunger
A plunger is a common device that is used to release stoppages in plumbing. The tool consists of a rubber cup with an attached stick "shaft", usually made of wood or plastic. The cup is pushed down against the drain opening, and either pressed hard into the drain to force air in, or is pushed down until the rubber cup is flattened, then pulled out, causing a vacuum. The intent is to loosen or break up a clog caused by excessive material in the drain.
The difference between a sink (kitchen) plunger and a toilet plunger is that the former looks like a ball cut in half while the latter looks more like a distorted ball with a large hole on the bottom.[1]
A plunger is much more effective when there is water in the pipe because water does not compress and will thus transmit more of the applied force than air.[2]
When a plunger is ineffective, it is often supplemented by a chemical drain cleaner, or by a plumber's snake.[3]
References
- ^ "Tampa Plumbers from Roto Rooter Talk About Clogs". November 11, 2010.
- ^ Henkenius, Merle (2006). Ultimate Guide to Plumbing. Creative Homeowner Press. p. 216. ISBN 1580113117.
- ^ Lou Manfredini (2004). Lou Manfredini's House Smarts. Random House. p. 28. ISBN 0345449894.
External links
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Look up plunger in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. |
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