21/01/2020
What to do when your toilet starts overflowing
Does the prospect of an overflowing toilet fill you with dread? No need to worry. As long as you know what you’re doing and act fast, dealing with an overflowing toilet is simple. Here are the steps to follow.
1. Cut off the water
The first priority is always cutting off the flow of water into the toilet bowl. In most situations, you can simply turn off the toilet’s water supply by using the valve located near the bottom of the toilet.
If you don’t see a valve, look inside the tank. Use care when removing the tank cover and lift the float ball high enough so that the water stops running and rig the float so that it stays in position. At this point, you may choose to turn off the water supply to your house. Typically, the valve or knob for the water supply is located near your water heater.
2. Clean up any puddles
Now that you’ve stopped the water from rising or overflowing, you can take some time to clean up any water that may have spilled over onto the floor.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time to resolve the issue, which often involves dislodging the clog to get your toilet back up and running.
3. Scoop excess water out of the toilet
Before you start plunging, you may need to scoop some water out of the bowl. If the water is dirty, keep it in the bucket so that you can flush it once your toilet is functioning again. If it’s clean, simply pour it down the sink. Keep scooping until the water level is back to where it normally is.
4. Plunge the toilet
The last step is using your plunger to dislodge the clog. A good flange plunger can get rid of most clogs. Simply fit the plunger into the toilet drain and vigorously plunge up and down several times without breaking the seal. Flush the toilet and repeat the process as needed.
For deep clogs that you can’t dislodge with a plunger, call in a plumber to take care of the problem.