We're Available 24 Hours a Day! - Immediate Response

How to Fix an Overflowing Toilet? Causes of Toilet Overflow

how to fix an overflowing toilet

Is your toilet overflowing and water shooting out all over the bathroom floor? If so, don't worry - you can fix it yourself!

Whether your toilet overflowed because something got stuck in the drain hole or because of a broken flapper valve, fixing the problem as quickly as possible is crucial.

This can be a daunting situation, but don't worry, we're here to help. In this blog post, we'll outline some tips for how to fix an overflowing toilet.

Keep in mind that if the problem persists after you've tried these tips, it might be time to call a plumber. So read on for some helpful tips!

What Causes a Toilet to Overflow?

clogged toilet

If your toilet is overflowing, it's likely because of a drain clog. A blockage typically will cause an unexpected overflow when you flush the bowl and can be identified by paying attention to how fast water enters after flushing

If there are no gurgling sounds or visible signs then something might have been blocking its path which would result in this problem surface too often instead.

Keep a close eye on this fixture after each flush and listen for any gurgling sounds.

The following are some of the most common reasons for a toilet clog:

  • If you flush far too much waste and/or toilet paper at once, the tank may not be able to handle all of it.
  • Toilets should not be used to discard non-flushable bathroom trash, such as pads, tampons, cotton balls, paper towels, dental floss, or diapers.
  • Flushing kitchen waste down the drain can cause problems. This includes cooking grease, fruit and vegetable peels, meat trimmings, and other things.
  • You should always dispose of pet waste properly. This includes clumps of kitty litter and dog waste bags. Even products that say they are flushable can cause problems under the right conditions.
  • A clog forms and grows when a toilet is unable to completely flush. In some cases, an older low-flow toilet or one with a tank float or flapper problem may be the cause.
  • It's also not a good idea to leave young kids alone in the toilet. There's no telling what they might end up flushing!

Keep in mind that the clog might not be in your toilet's line; it could be in the main sewage system for your apartment or housing complex.

Check the other toilets on the line to see whether anything was blocking them.

Do you have toilet overflowing in your home? Check out our toilet repair services

How to Quickly Stop an Overflowing Toilet

Once you see that your toilet is overflowing, it's important to take quick action in order to minimize the amount of water damage. Put on some rubber gloves.

Turn off the toilet shut off valves.

These are usually located behind the toilet. If you don't see any shut off valves, turn off the water to your entire home.

This will stop the flow of water into your toilet and give you time to fix the problem.

Lift Up the Toilet Float Ball

The float ball is usually located in the back of the toilet tank. If it's not there, look for a rod with a small float attached to it. Gently lift the float ball or rod until the water stops flowing into your potty.

Shut Off The Main House Valve

Sometimes the problem isn't with your toilet, but with the water supply to your home. If you've tried the other tips and your toilet is still overflowing, shut off the main house valve.

This will stop all water flow into your home, so make sure you only do this as a last resort!

How to Fix an Overflowing Toilet

Once you prevent the water from flowing, it's time to fix the problem. Depending on what's causing your toilet to overflow, you might be able to do it yourself or you might need to call a plumber.

1. Unclog Your Toilet with Dish Soap

If you think your toilet is clogged with a small object, like a toy or piece of toilet paper, you might be able to use dish soap to break up the clog.

Pour a cup or two of dish soap into your toilet bowl and let it sit for 15 minutes. Then, try flushing your toilet again. The dish soap should help break up the clog.

2. Try Hot Water

If dish soap doesn't do the trick, you can try hot water. Boil a pot of water and pour it carefully inside the toilet.

Be careful not to splash yourself! Let the hot water sit for a few minutes, then flush the toilet again.

3. Bleach Can Break Up Serious Clogs

If hot water doesn't work, it's time to break out the big guns. Pour a cup of bleach into your toilet and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Then, flush your toilet again. The bleach should help break up the clog.

Keep in mind that you should only use this method as a last resort, as bleach can be harmful to your pipes.

4. Plunge The Toilet

plunger

If you have a plunger, this is a good time to use it! Put the plunger over the toilet bowl and push and pull it up and down.

Be sure to keep a tight seal so that all of the suction goes into the toilet.

After a few minutes, try flushing your toilet again. The plunger or drain snake should help break up the clog.

Do I Need to Call a Plumber When My Toilet Overflows?

If you've tried all of the tips in this blog post and your septic tank is overflowing, it might be time to call a professional plumbing expert.

A plumber will be able to quickly diagnose the problem and get your toilet back up and running in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if my toilet is overflowing?

If your toilet is overflowing, the first thing you should do is turn off the water to your toilet and remove excess water.

This will stop the flow of water into your toilet and give you time to fix the problem.

How do you unclog a toilet if the water is high?

If the water level is high, you can try using a plunger to unclog the toilet. Put the plunger over the toilet bowl and push and pull it up and down.

Be sure to keep a tight seal so that all of the suction goes into the toilet.

Why does my toilet keep overflowing when I flush?

There are a few possible reasons why your toilet keeps overflowing when you flush.

  • One possibility is that the float ball is stuck in the "up" position. This causes water to keep flowing into your toilet and eventually overflow.
  • Another possibility is that there is a clog in your toilet.

Will an overflowing toilet fix itself?

No, an overflowing toilet will not fix itself. If your toilet is overflowing, you'll need to take action to fix the problem.

Conclusion

If your toilet is overflowing, don't panic! With the right tools and knowledge, you can fix the problem relatively easily.

Start by turning off the water to your toilet, then try one of the methods in this blog post.

If all else fails, call a professional plumber for help. Thanks for reading.

About The Author:

Scott Reyes, our proficient Managing Editor and a true plumbing aficionado with over 10 years of dedicated expertise. With an in-depth understanding of the plumbing industry, Scott is your go-to source for all things plumbing-related. His wealth of experience ensures that our content is not only informative but also a reliable resource for your plumbing needs. Dive into Scott's articles to tap into his extensive knowledge and insights.
Recent Articles
NEED HELP? WE'RE AVAILABLE 24/7. CALL NOW.
1.866.300.5058
TAP TO CALL
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram