Why is toilet overflowing

If this stops the overflowing, allow the toilet bowl to drain completely then release the flapper. Shut off the supply line to stop the flow of water if the toilet starts overflowing again, even with the water off, the problem is likely a backup from either a drain pipe or the main sewer line.

The best time to use your plunger is before a toilet overflow occurs. Wait until the toilet overflow stops to try plunging. If it continues to overflow, a plunger will likely only make a bigger mess. While a plunger may clear a clogged toilet bowl or drain pipe, it cannot fix other causes of an overflowing toilet. The best way to prevent a toilet overflow is to only use it as intended. You should only flush toilet paper and human waste down the drain. Keep a trash can in the bathroom for all other items, including baby wipes, soaps, facial tissue, dental floss, paper towel, Q-tips, so-called flushable wipes and feminine hygiene products.

Any of these can be a major contributor to toilet overflows. Remove the lid from the toilet tank, reach inside the tank and lift up the bottom of the fill valve or float to stop the water from refilling. Rig the float to stay up to prevent it from refilling the toilet. You can also pull out the refill tube from the overflow valve to stop the water from refilling the tank. Proceed to step 2 even if you cannot complete step one. Turn off the water supply near the toilet. There is usually a pipe near the base of the toilet with a valve on it.

If you cannot find this valve, or if you are struggling to turn it off, then proceed to step 3. This should be the final step. However, if your toilet is still overflowing after step 3, then you may have a serious sewerage issue.

If you have successfully managed to stop your toilet from overflowing, take a mop and clean up the excess water in your bathroom. If you have a septic tank instead of a municipal sewer system, you could have a similar issue. Septic tanks store waste and release excess water into the soil around them, also called the drain field. You should schedule regular maintenance for your septic system and the rest of your plumbing. That way, you can have your tank emptied or make other repairs if needed.

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Image provided by Shutterstock. Purchase Replacement Filters. Request Service. Call Today Watch for these potential causes of an overflowing toilet to prevent water damage or biological growth in your home: Clogged Pipes A clog in your toilet or the nearby pipes will stop water from draining when you flush it.

Blocked Vents A plumbing vent is a vertical pipe that connects to all your plumbing fixtures. Once you've stopped the immediate overflow, consider the underlying source of the problem so that you can prevent future occurrences.

Turn off the toilet's water supply. Most toilets feature a supply line near the bottom side of the bowl. The line should have a valve. Turn the valve counterclockwise to stop water flow to the toilet. If you can't locate this valve, continue to the next step.

Remove the tank cover. Lift the float cup or float ball high enough so that the water stops running. If the water continues to run, turn off the water supply to the house.