How to Fix an Overflowing Toilet in Seconds

The next time your toilet clogs, there is no need to panic. This guide will teach you exactly what to do whenever your toilet overflows.

How to Stop an Overflowing Toilet

When your toilet is overflowing, your first order of business should be to stop the water from filling your toilet bowl. There are several ways you can do this, including:

• Rigging your float: Open your toilet's tank and set the lid aside. Locate the float or fill valve at the top of the tank and pull it up. Water will not fill your toilet bowl if the float is up. Tie the float in place before plunging the toilet.
• Closing the flapper: At the bottom of the toilet tank is a flapper, which might look like a rubber circle attached to a chain or a rubber ball attached to a metal lever. Push the flapper down to seal the bottom of your toilet tank so water does not flow into the toilet bowl.
• Turning the water valve off: Most toilets have a water flow valve where the toilet connects to the wall. Once you locate the water shut-off valve, turn it off to prevent water from entering your toilet.

How to Fix an Overflowing Toilet

Once you have stopped the water from entering your toilet, you might need to clean up the floor before plunging the toilet. Put on a pair of disposable rubber gloves and remove the excess water from your toilet bowl using a cup or bucket. Dispose of it in a dirty mop bucket or pour it down the shower drain. Next, place a towel on the floor to soak up any standing water to avoid damaging your flooring.

After cleaning up the mess, place a plunger in the toilet bowl and seal it to the bottom. Make sure the seal is airtight. Finally, pump the plunger up and down quickly to dislodge the blockage. Occasionally, you might need a toilet snake to dislodge more challenging blockages.

Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Oneida Today for a Free Quote

If you cannot unblock your toilet after a few tries, call the experts at Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Our licensed and insured plumbers offer 24/7 emergency toilet repair services. Call us to request a free service quote or learn more about our residential toilet repairs in Oneida, New York!