Last Updated on September 9, 2022 by acechapman
Overflowing toilets are something homeowners will have to deal with sometimes. To stop a toilet from overflowing, let’s first find out what causes it.
The toilet drain may be blocked if your toilet overflows when you flush it. A clog is a blockage that prevents water and other waste from flowing out, resulting in an overflowing bathroom. A partial clog will cause the water level to drop within a few minutes, but a full clog will prevent the toilet from draining.
A clogged drain can cause an overflowing toilet. It could be a complete or solid clog. This prevents waste from leaking down to the sewer line, causing the toilet to overflow and fill with water.
WHAT CAUSES A TOILET TO OVERFLOW
If the toilet tank overflows, this means that there is too much water in the tank and the overflow tube is not working properly. The flush handle should be at least 1/2 inch from the top of your overflow tube.
If your toilet is leaking, shut off the water supply and do not flush it. To clear the clog, drain the bowl to the halfway mark.
If you have an overflowing toilet, either wait for the water level to drop or drain some water with a cup. To unclog the toilet, use a flange wrench. If the plunger fails to clear the clog then snake the drain line with an auger.
Although an overflowing toilet can be fixed by itself, this is not always true. Toilet paper and soap can remove the clog but something that is not meltable or dissolves will cause it to continue to overflow.
You can snake the toilet with a toilet auger to fix an overflowing bathroom without using a plunger. To break down the clog, you can also use vinegar and baking soda with hot water.
BEFORE YOU START FIXING
First, stop an overflowing toilet. There are several ways to fix an overflowing toilet depending on its design. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
TURN OFF THE TOILET SHUTOFF VALVE
The shutoff valve is located behind the toilet. From here, the water supply line runs to the toilet. Turn the valve clockwise in order to stop water from flowing to your toilet.
LIFT THE TOILET FLOAT
This is what you should do if your toilet shuts off. Place the toilet tank lid in a safe place. You will find a float cup or a ball in your toilet. You can lift the float and fix it with something stable, such as a piece of wood. This will then turn off the fill valve.
TURN THE MAIN HOUSE VALVE OFF
This will prevent water from flowing into your entire home. The location of the main house shutoff valve will vary depending upon where you live, but it is usually located in the basement close to the water heater. It is located next to the water meter, so make sure you find it. Turn it clockwise so that it can no longer turn.
HOW TO STOP A TOILET FROM OVERFLOWING
There are many reasons for an overflowing toilet, but a blocked toilet drain is the most likely cause. It is therefore more sensible to begin there. However, this only applies if the toilet bowl has a clog and not the tank.
You will first need to check if the overflow tube isn’t working properly or if the toilet is overflowing. Here’s how to fix a toilet bowl that is overflowing.
PLUNGE THE TOILET
Toilet plungers are a great tool to unclog toilets. Every bathroom should have one. However, you cannot use the plunger in a full-filled toilet bowl. You will get water all over your face.
Use a cup to scoop out the water from the bowl and then empty it into a bucket. Once most of the water has been removed, you can use your plunger. To ensure effective plunging, make sure the plunger covers the outlet. Also, be gentle with the plunger when you remove any air.
There are two types of plungers. Flange and flat-bottomed plungers are available. Flange plungers are the best choice to unclog your toilet.
Then plunge vigorously 15-20 times to check if the water is draining. Make sure to flush the toilet several times to ensure that the drain is clear.
SNAKE THE TOILET
A toilet auger may be able to help if the plunger fails to manage the task. It’s flexible and long.
A toilet snake, also known as a toilet auger, is a long cable that has a head with blades. It can be used to either cut the toilet clogs into smaller pieces or hook them up and remove them from the toilet drain pipe.
Place the toilet auger in the outlet of the toilet and into the trap. Slowly crank the handle clockwise until there is no resistance. To check if the handle is attached, turn it counterclockwise.
This process should be repeated until the drain is clear. Toilet augers typically measure 3 to 6 feet long and can sometimes be limited in size if there is a deeper clog. You might consider hiring a motorized toilet auger that is longer or calling a professional.
Other methods of unclogging a toilet that doesn’t require a plunger or auger are also possible.
UNCLOG THE VENT STACK
The sewer gases are pushed from the roof onto the vent. Sometimes, leaves, animal nests, snow, or even dead birds or rodents can block the vent.
Armed with a garden snake, climb up a ladder to reach the roof. You can check the roof to see if there is any obstruction that you can remove by lifting your hands.
Pour water into the vent with the hose if it is not working. This will clear the vent of any obstructions and will hopefully, solve your toilet issues.
HOW TO FIX AN OVERFLOWING TOILET TANK
The overflow tube is a device that sends excess water from the toilet tank back into the bowl to prevent it from overflowing. Install the overflow tube correctly in order to ensure that it works flawlessly.
The flush lever should be one inch below the top of the overflow tub. You will have an overflowing toilet if your overflow tube is higher than this and the fill valve fills the tank continuously.
This will fix the problem. To do this, use a small hacksaw to cut the overflow tube at just the right height. You will be able to stop the toilet from overflowing. However, you will need to repair the running toilet. This is because water from the tank will now flow to the bowl via the overflow tube.
You can fix this problem by adjusting the toilet float height or replacing the fill valve.
Wrapping up
You might do your best, but it is not always possible to fix a clogged toilet. You will need to call a professional plumber in this situation. Plumbers are more skilled and have better tools. Sometimes, clogged toilets may need to be removed by a plumber in order to reach the drain pipe.
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