The toilet is not just a convenience, it is a necessity in the home.
When your toilet overflows regularly, it is important to find out exactly what is causing the problem and fix it as quickly as possible. This is a problem that deprives you of the opportunity to use the toilet and is equally serious for everyone in the family.
Fortunately, in most cases, the problem is not that serious, and it is not that difficult to take care of the overflowing.
Often, it is easy for a person to do it alone. But there are situations in which it is necessary to seek help from a reliable plumber. Anyways, here are some tips on how to stop an overflowing toilet.
Understanding the Causes
The best thing you can do first is understand what are the causes of the overflowing. They actually happen relatively often.
Some of the main causes of overflowing are reverse slope, backflow between pipes and fittings, or deliberately discarded debris that cannot pass through the pipe section, toilet bends, and siphon, as well as the vertical main pipe or shaft, respectively.
A large percentage of all overflows are also due to miscalculated pipe diameter and build-up, but hard objects or wet wipes primarily cause overflows.
In any case, finding the cause is your first and most important task.
- Clogged drains and pipes. The higher pressure in the sewer pipes prevents the water from draining normally. If your toilet drains slowly, this is a sure sign that you might have clogged drains or pipes. If when you try to flush the toilet, the water does not drain at all or comes straight out of the toilet, then this is already a sign of a serious blockage, which must be addressed immediately.
- Malfunctioning float mechanism. The float mechanism is the device located in the toilet tank, and its job is to regulate the water flow into the bowl. If you’re dealing with a malfunctioning float mechanism, it may be the reason for water to enter the tank too fast, leading to an overflowing toilet. Thankfully, to fix this problem, you’ll simply need to buy a new float and replace the broken one.
- Issues with the fill valve. Another reason for an overflowing toilet might be an issue with the fill valve, which is responsible for regulating the water flow into the toilet tank. A malfunctioning fill valve might cause water to enter the tank too fast, leading, once again, to an overflowing toilet. Gladly, this is also a minor issue that can be fixed by changing the broken fill valve with a new one.
Immediate Action
If your toilet starts overflowing, you must immediately prevent it from causing serious damage.
You can do several things if you find yourself in such an unpleasant situation:
- Shutting off the water supply. The first thing you want to do is to turn off the water to the toilet. By doing so, you’ll stop it from flowing into the toilet bowl. This only complicates the process and fills the bowl with water, making it much harder to deal with the overflowing.
- Removing the tank lid and stopping the flush cycle. The next step is to remove the tank lid and stop the flush cycle. You’ll need to press down on the flapper valve. This will help keep water from getting into the toilet bowl. Lift the fill valve to stop the tank from refiling.
- Using a plunger to clear the clog. If you don’t have a plunger, visit the local home department store sooner to get one. You’ll need to put the head of the plunger into the toilet, ensuring its flange is located directly into the drain. Keep the plunger handle straightened and start pushing up and down for about 20 seconds. This motion will force air and water into the drain to clear the clog.
- How to safely unclog a toilet without a plunger. Unfortunately, plunging doesn’t always help, especially when the blockage is caused by materials or items that were disposed into the toilet. In this case, a plunger won’t help you. But you can use a plumber’s snake to break up the clog or remove the problematic item. In some cases, though, the clog is too difficult to be taken care of by yourself, and you’ll need to call a reliable plumber for the job.
Preventive Measures
Once your toilet is unclogged and functioning properly, it’s important to take steps to prevent future clogs. This saves you time and effort in fixing the problem and helps keep the plumbing system healthy.
- Regular maintenance and inspections. Regular toilet maintenance and inspection can help prevent clogs and catch potential problems before they become serious. This includes cleaning the toilet bowl and using a toilet brush to clean debris around the rim and drain holes. Keep an eye out for any signs of slow draining or recurring clogs, as these may indicate a deeper problem in the plumbing system that requires professional attention.
- Using a toilet drain filter. A toilet drain filter is also something you should consider getting if you want to prevent future toilet overflowing issues. This simple device is very inexpensive and will prevent items, hairs, or materials from entering the pipes. These nifty gadgets come in a variety of models and features.
- Avoiding flushing inappropriate items. One of the easiest ways to prevent toilet clogs is to flush only human waste. Items such as baby wipes, sanitary products, and dental floss should be disposed of in the trash instead of flushed down the toilet. Teach household members, especially children, about the right and wrong items to flush down the toilet to avoid accidental clogs and plumbing problems.
- Proper use of toilet paper. Although toilet paper is designed to dissolve quickly in water, flushing too much toilet paper down the toilet can still cause clogging. Additionally, some types of thicker or textured toilet paper may not dissolve as easily, increasing the risk of clogging. To avoid this, be careful how much toilet paper you flush down the toilet, and consider choosing a model with a thinner layer.
Troubleshooting and Repairs
Before tackling a clogged toilet, ensure you have the necessary tools and materials. Equipped with the right supplies, you’ll be more likely to solve the problem efficiently. Before you begin, however, it’s important to understand the causes of a clogged toilet.
So, here’s what you can do when your toilet’s overflowing:
- Replacing a faulty float mechanism. Depending on the seriousness of the problem, the float mechanism might need to be adjusted, descaled, or changed. You’ll first want to empty the toilet tank, close the water supply valve, and flush the toilet. Then, remove the flushing mechanism from the tank, remove the plug seal, and the flushing valve seal. Then, install the new parts – first the plug, then the flushing valve. Finally, turn the water supply back on and test it.
- Adjusting or replacing the fill valve. The fill valve is also located in the toilet tank. You’ll want to start by turning off the water supply and flushing the toilet. You can now access the fill valve’s locking nut, placed on the bottom of the tank. Next, unscrew it to loosen the fill valve. Get your new fill valve, check if it is compatible with your toilet, and place it into the toilet tank by fastening the locking nut. Adjust its height which should be an inch below the top. Turn on the water supply and test if it works fine.
- Snaking the toilet drain. A toilet snake can help you deal with an overflowing toilet if you don’t have a plunger. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and restrict the water flow before you begin. Set the metal cable of the toilet snake into the bowl all the way to the drain. When the cable is fully retracted, turn the handle clockwise and counterclockwise. This will help break up or pull out the clog. If the water level returns to normal, you’ve completed the mission successfully.
- Calling a professional plumber. Unfortunately, some toilet blockages are too severe to be handled at home. In this case, you need to call a professional plumber to help you. After all, that’s what they do and what they’re good at. You don’t need to do the dirty work when someone else is qualified to do it.
Tips for Emergency Situations
An overflowing toilet is an emergency situation requiring on-time and adequate actions. Here are some useful tips if you find yourself in such a situation.
- Overflowing toilet with no access to shut-off valve – In situations when you don’t have access to the shut-off valve, you have to shut off the water supply from the entire property before you proceed with other unclogging actions.
- Dealing with sewage backup – If you’re dealing with sewage backup, you’ll first need to call a reliable plumber and then try to take care of the situation while you’re waiting. Start with shutting off the water supply and then check your vent pipes. If they’re clogged, they might be the cause of the sewage backup. Pull the obstructions out of the vent pipes and see if there’s any change.
- Temporary fixes for emergencies – There are some alternative approaches you can consider as a last resort. These include using hot water and soap, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, or wet/dry vacuuming. However, be aware that these methods are not always effective and can cause potential damage to the plumbing if done incorrectly.
Conclusion
Suppose you don’t have the experience or knowledge of dealing with plumbing systems.
In that case, it’s better to contact a professional plumber in order to avoid causing any damage to the surrounding infrastructure of your home.
While you can do some toilet repairs on your own, others require the help of a professional. But if you believe you can handle some of the abovementioned repairs, make sure you do it safely!
