Toilets can overflow for a variety of reasons, and sometimes it’s not just something that you have to fix yourself. It helps to know what the most common factors are so you can take steps before your toilet takes over.
What Causes Toilets To Overflow?
Toilets overflow for a few simple reasons. Most of the time, an overflowing toilet is caused by too much toilet paper. Other causes include flushing objects down the toilet that shouldn’t be flushed, such as diapers or sanitary napkins. In some cases, an overflowing toilet can be caused by a clog in the sewer line.
If you have a toilet that frequently overflows, it might mean your plumbing has a severe blockage or it cannot handle the amount of waste that is routinely flushed.
If Your Toilet Overflows, What Should You Do?
Stopping a toilet from overflowing needs quick thought and rapid action. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to take care of if you know how!
The first step is to remove the cover from the toilet tank and place it aside swiftly and gently. Make sure it’s safe, but don’t bother about lying it on towels or anything else — remember, you don’t have much time to waste!
Next, reach into the toilet tank and depress the flapper valve (don’t worry, the water in the tank is OK to drink). The flapper is the rubber element located in the tank’s bottom center. This will prevent further water from entering the bowl and from spilling over the edges.
After you’ve secured the flapper valve, raise up on the float that controls the tank fill valve to stop the tank from filling. When the main water supply is turned off, the water level in the bowl should gradually decrease. You should be able to let go of the float and let the bowl refill without fear of it spilling if the water level returns to normal after approximately a minute. Make careful to keep an eye on it so you can intervene if the level rises too high.
Continue to hold the float while shutting off the water at the toilet supply valve, which is situated near the floor or in the wall behind the toilet – turn it clockwise (to the right) to stop it if the water level does not start to decrease after approximately a minute. If you can’t reach the valve while holding the float, release the ball and quickly shut the valve.
How To Unclog A Toilet That Is Overflowing
When the Toilet Is No Longer Overflowing
- All toilets, sinks, and other plumbing facilities should be turned off.
- To determine if you can clear any clogs from the drain, try using a plunger.
- Begin by looking for the root of the issue in the bathroom fixtures and work your way up. It’s helpful to have a companion observe the lower levels while examining fittings on the top floors; otherwise, it’s difficult to tell if upstairs drains are genuinely operating or are just backing up into lower drains.
- If just one toilet is clogged, the issue is very certainly limited to that toilet. If you have many toilets that aren’t flushing, you may have a clogged system drain or a failing septic field.
- Call a plumber if you can’t get the blockage out on your own. They will arrive at your house to promptly and neatly resolve the problem.
The “toilet overflowed with poop” is a problem that many people have to deal with. This discussion will show you how to stop an overflowing toilet.
A toilet is not the only plumbing device that can have flow problems. Another is a sump pump, which you can learn about in Can Your Sump Pump Handle Melting Snow & Rain?
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you do when your toilet is overflowing?
A: Flush the toilet, and wait for the water to stop flowing. Then, open the faucet to help clear the pipes. Use an auger or plunger to clear the blockage in the toilet. Flush the toilet and begin using it again.
What causes a toilet to keep overflowing?
A: The most common causes of toilet overflow are a broken flush valve or an obstruction in the drain pipe. A clogged toilet may also cause water to back up and overflow into the bowl.
How do you fix an overflowing toilet without a plunger?
A: You may want to try using a bucket or something else that can catch the overflow water. Then, call a plumber to assist you.
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