No one wishes to deal with an overflowing toilet. Raw sewage spilling over onto your bathroom is not just gross—it can also cause costly water damage and may be a health concern. Since it’s a common plumbing problem in many homes, it’s worth knowing what to do if your toilet overflows. In this guide, the professional plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing provide you with valuable advice on how to handle this unpleasant situation.
Turn Off the Water Supply
First, you need to stop the overflow to prevent more wastewater from spilling onto your bathroom. Remove the toilet tank lid and push down the flapper to seal the opening in the bottom of the tank. This will prevent more water from flowing into the toilet bowl. You can also lift up the float to stop the flow of water into the tank.
The next step is to turn off the shut-off valve controlling the water supply to the toilet. This valve is usually located on the wall behind the toilet, near the base. Turn the valve clockwise to completely stop the flow of water to the toilet.
Mop Up the Water
Grab a wet/dry vacuum as soon as the toilet has stopped overflowing and use it to suck up as much of the overflowed wastewater as possible. If you don’t have a wet/dry vacuum, use a mop to dry up the affected area—put on gloves to safeguard yourself from bacteria and germs. It’s important to remove any standing water on your bathroom floor as quickly as possible to prevent further damage.
Plunge the Toilet
You should always have a flange plunger in your bathroom, just in case you encounter a toilet clog. Place the plunger over the drain hole and press down firmly to create an airtight seal around the drain hole. Push down on the plunger handle forcefully and then pull it up sharply. Repeat this several times in quick motion while ensuring you maintain the seal around the drain hole. The water should drain freely if the clog has been cleared.
Grab a Drain Snake
If the plunger doesn’t work, try a drain snake. Insert the tip of the snake into the toilet drain and turn the handle clockwise to feed the tip of the snake into the drain. When the snake won’t go any further, rapidly rotate the snake while turning the handle to break up the blockage. Rotate and crank the snake to loosen and dislodge the clog. Once the clog has been dislodged, retract the snake and flush the toilet to see if the clog has been cleared.
Call a Professional Plumber
Although it’s possible to clear a clogged toilet on your own, there are times when calling a professional plumber is recommended. If you’re experiencing recurring toilet clogs, it means there’s a deeper issue that needs to be addressed. There’s a likelihood of drain line damage or mineral buildup down the drain line. Expert plumbers will perform an inspection and provide you with a professional opinion.
Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing for Toilet Replacement Service
The team at Mr. Rooter Plumbing has the expertise and state-of-the-art tools to get your toilet back to peak condition. If you need professional toilet replacement in Washington Township, NJ, you can trust our experienced plumbers to do a great job. We’ve handled a wide variety of toilet plumbing issues for over 50 years, so we have what it takes to do flawless work.
