Here are the six most common reasons a plunger fails—and exactly how to fix each one.
| Problem | Likely Fix | |---------|-------------| | Water splashes but doesn’t drain | No seal. Re-angle plunger, add petroleum jelly. | | Plunger feels “loose” | Wrong type (flat cup on toilet). Get a flange plunger. | | Sink won’t clear | Overflow hole unblocked. Stuff it with a wet rag. | | Toilet water level very high | Bail out water first to create air space. | | Multiple drains clogged | Deep clog past trap. Use a snake, not a plunger. | why isn't my plunger working
In a toilet, if the water level is very high (near the rim), you have no air gap to create the necessary pressure wave. You’re just pushing a column of incompressible water. Here are the six most common reasons a