What to Do If My Toilet Is Overflowing
An overflowing toilet is a nightmare scenario for any homeowner, especially if sewage is involved. While you hope this never happens, knowing what to do to stop the flow of water will help you get to the root of the problem fast, preventing the mess from accumulating.
In this blog, we’ll cover the steps to take if your toilet overflows, along with the common reasons for overflowing water and how trained professionals can guide the cleanup process.
3 Steps to Stop and Fix an Overflowing Toilet
1. Turn Off the Water
There are two ways to turn off the water. The first is to find the water supply valve behind the toilet and turn it off. The second step is to lift the lid of the toilet tank and manually push the flapper down, which prevents water from flowing into the toilet bowl from the tank.
2. Clean Up the Spilled Water
If the spill is small and consists of clear toilet water, carefully remove it from the floor and disinfect the area. You can use old towels or a mop when drying, and make sure to wear protective gear. You may also want to remove excess water from the toilet itself before moving on to plunging.
On the other hand, if the spill is large and suspected to contain sewage, do not attempt to clean it up yourself. Sewage is highly contaminated and must be handled by trained professionals who can extract raw sewage and thoroughly clean the affected areas. Contact a plumber immediately, as well as your local sewage damage restoration company.
3. Address the Clog
Once the water is off and you’ve cleaned up spilled water, you can attempt to address the clog yourself using a plunger. A flange plunger is best for toilet plunging. While plunging, ensure a good seal between the plunger’s cup and the waste inlet, and apply force to increase the pressure.
If plunging yourself does not resolve the issue, contact your plumber for professional help.
Sources of an Overflowing Toilet
It’s not always obvious why a toilet overflows. Usually, a clog is the culprit, but it may be located in one of a few different places. Here are some of the most common sources to investigate or have your plumber check for when they arrive.
- Clogged Drain: A clogged drain is typically caused by excessive toilet paper or non-flushable items that become stuck, preventing proper flushing.
- Blocked Plumbing Lines: If more than one toilet in your home is overflowing or not functioning properly, you may have a problem with your overall plumbing system.
- Clogged Sewer Line: A clog in the sewer line can affect your plumbing and cause your toilet’s water to overflow.
- Malfunctioning Fill Valve: Located in the toilet tank, the fill valve controls the amount of water that flows into the toilet bowl. A damaged fill valve may allow water to continue flowing up.
- Misaligned Float Mechanism: The tank also contains a float device that works in conjunction with the fill valve to regulate the water flow. You may need to adjust the placement of the float to ensure it’s working properly.
- Full Septic Tank: When a septic tank is full and is not addressed, wastewater can back up into homes through toilets.
Leave Sewage Cleanup to Flood Response
Sewage backups are extremely hazardous, which is why prompt professional cleanup and restoration are crucial to the recovery of your property. A local, full-service restoration company, Flood Response delivers exceptional care and service to families and business owners in Southern California. For emergency sewage jobs, our team arrives at the scene immediately and begins the restoration process:
- Containing and stopping the spread of sewage
- Safely dispose of sewage and mitigate damage
- Deep clean and sanitize all affected areas
- Document the incident for your insurance company
- Replace permanently damaged materials during the restoration process
When a disaster hits your home, choose a fast and effective restoration company you can trust. For 24/7 disaster restoration in Southern California, contact Flood Response to schedule an appointment.
Contact