An overflowing toilet is a common problem among households. There is no cause for panic when you’re experiencing such a situation. Keep a level head and know that you can manage an overflowing toilet without making a mess of your bathroom. Stopping the flow is often the first step in dealing with an overflowing toilet. It’s also essential to identify the underlying cause of the problem to prevent the same issue in the future.
The primary way of stopping an overflow
When there’s an overflow, the most logical action is to stop the water. Here are three ways to do so.
Close the flapper in the toilet tank
Take off the toilet tank’s lid and look for a flapper at the base of the tank. The flapper is the one that covers the opening of the toilet bowl. Push the flapper down to stop the water from getting from the tank and getting into the bowl.
Lift the float n the tank
The float controls the flow of water into your tank. Lift the float to shut off the water.
Turn off the water valve.
The valve controls the toilet’s water flow and is usually found at the base of the toilet. Turn the valve off to turn the water flowing into the toilet. Turning the valve is a bit more challenging than the other two, so do it as a last resort. The water in the toilet will slowly go down after turning the valve off.
Causes of Overflowing Toilet
Overflowing toilet happens because of several reasons. Here are typical causes for the overflows.
Clogged pipes
Clogs in your toilet and connecting pipes stop the water from flushing out thoroughly. Clogs are often caused by flushed toilet paper, wipes, diapers, sanitary products, Q-tips, etc. Try to flush the toilet repeatedly, and if that doesn’t solve it, you can use a plunger to remove the clog. However, if the plunger is still not working out, it’s time for you to call a professional to remove the clog.
You need to turn off the water supply and remove the water as soon as you spot the clogging issue. It would keep the water from soaking in your floor and drywall. Dry down the area and make sure to disinfect the places where the toilet water reached. The water from the toilet may have harmful bacteria and give off a foul odor, so make sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect.
Low Flow Toilets
Newer homes today use low toilets with the goals of conserving water and maximizing water usage. The downside of a low water toilet is that it’s not effective in flushing everything down.
Blocked vents
A blocked vent is another cause for an overflowing toilet. The plumbing vent is a vertical pipe connecting all the plumbing fixtures. The vents allow air to enter through the pipe and replace the air that goes down whenever the toilet is flushed. Debris and other dirt in the vent stops or slows down the draining process. It also causes bad smells and bubbling sound whenever your flushing. There may be no overflow, but the foul smell and the slow drain are enough reasons for you to take action. If taken for granted, the blocked vents may damage the pipes.
Cleaning vents is a challenge, so most homeowners prefer to help a professional remove the debris safely and adequately. They have the k knowledge and the right equipment to handle the job right the first time.
Full Septic Tank
Some houses use a septic tank and not a municipal sewer system. The septic tank keeps all the waste and releases the excess water into the surrounding drain field. When the tank is full, the water just escapes, and the toilet overflows. Regular maintenance is necessary to see the level of your septic tank. It allows you to gauge when you need to replace it or repair it.
If your toilet is still clogged even when you already turned the valve off, it’s high time to contact a professional plumber near you. It’s best to act fast to keep the overflow to a minimum and ensure that no further damage occurs.