What Causes the Overflow in My Toilet?

Haven’t we all been in this situation before? You expect the bowl to empty after you flush the toilet, as has happened many times before. This time the water does not flow completely. Nothing can stop its upward movement. Your toilet overflows out of nowhere, leaving a mess on the bathroom floor.

Plumbing problems can be a big problem for any household. However, it can be a nightmare when you have to deal with an overflowing toilet. The most used object in our homes is the toilet. Although they don’t usually act, it’s important to take immediate action to prevent major water damage to your property and damage to drain pipes.

What Causes of a Toilet Overflow?

If your toilet is overflowing, you probably have a drain clog. A clog usually causes a sudden overflow when the toilet is flushed. You can sometimes spot a clog before you flush by noticing how quickly water enters the toilet bowl after you flush. If your toilet tends to clog, it’s best to keep an eye on it after each flush and listen for gurgling noises.

Typical causes for a toilet clog include:

• Too much rubbish and/or toilet paper thrown out at once.
• Using the toilet to dispose of bathroom waste that cannot be flushed away, including towels, tampons, cotton balls, paper, dental floss, or diapers.
• Flush kitchen waste such as cooking oil, fruit and vegetable peelings, leftover meat, etc. down the toilet.
• Get rid of pet waste like dog poop bags and clumps of cat litter. Even items marketed as flushable can have problems given the right circumstances.
• Constipation can develop and worsen over time due to inadequate or ineffective flushing. Toilets with float or flap problems in the tank, as well as older, low-flow toilets can be to blame in this case.
• Leave small children unattended in the toilet. It remains to be seen what they enjoy doing the dishes.

Keep in mind that the clog may not just be in your toilet line. This can be the main sewer line to your home or building. Check the other toilets in the row to see if this is possible.

How can I quickly prevent a toilet from overflowing?

Whatever the cause of the seizure, there are certain quick steps you should take to get it under control.

Toilet Shutoff Valve

Start by cutting off the toilet’s water source. At the rear of the toilet, locate a silver knob in the shape of a football and counterclockwise turn it. This will prevent any further water from entering the toilet and worsening the condition. When water is seen dripping from a toilet and onto a floor, homeowners frequently become agitated. Just keep in mind that turning off the water supply will stop water from running into the toilet and all over your bathroom mat.

Toilet Tank Flapper

Shutoff valves can become stuck because they are routinely ignored and left open for long periods of time. The next option is inside the toilet tank if your valve is clogged or you can’t get there for some other reason. Find your flap by lifting the top of your toilet lid. The bottom of the tank hole is covered with a rubber washer. It is possible that even with the valve slightly open, water will still flow into the bowl. To prevent water from spilling, simply press the valve with your fingertips. More importantly, it’s not a long-term solution; you probably need to replace the valve. The toilets still need to be cleaned.

Toilet Tank Float Ball

If water is still flowing at this point, you need to locate the floating ball in the socket. The floating sphere appears in the toilet tank as a large sphere attached to a pole. This ball signals the toilet to stop filling with water after flushing if the water level in the tank is high. Raise the float ball as high as possible to trick your toilet into thinking the tank is full of water. As you clean the bathroom floor and unclog the drain, find something to support the rod and use it to levitate the ball.

Should I call a plumber if my toilet overflows?

If you can diagnose a problem with your tank valve or float yourself, you can usually fix them yourself by going to your local hardware store and buying replacement parts. If you suspect your drain pipe is clogged, try clearing the drain yourself with a plunger or drain spiral.

There can be other reasons for your toilet overflowing, which can be much more serious.

These are situations that are best left to a professional plumber who can clear the worst of the clogs and also check for less common causes of clogs, such as: If clogging is a common problem in your home, we may be able to recommend a solution, from installing a new toilet to video sewer inspection and pipe repair.

If you think your toilet or drain needs immediate repairs, locate Wisler Plumbing & Air location near you to book an appointment online right now!