Your worst nightmare is happening. You do your business, flush the toilet, and the water rises. Panic sets in as you freeze and watch the disaster unfold. Before you know it, the liquid starts spilling over, and you scramble to mop it up with whatever you can find. If you are lucky, the water stops filling, so you can quickly clean up the aftermath, but that only fixes the immediate issue.
What about the next flush? This calamity has happened to us all, and it is an immediate problem that has to be addressed and corrected, often in real-time.
So, what can be done? The popular solution is to call a plumber for help. Alternatively, you can try to fix the problem yourself, if you dare. Here is how to unclog an overflowing toilet.
Turn Off the Water
If you can react fast enough, lift off the lid from the tank and reach in to close the flapper. This rubber seal opens and closes the drain to the tank. Your toilet will keep filling until the tank empties, and if you can get it closed, the water won’t rise anymore.
Reaching behind the bowl and turning off the water valve is also good. This will immediately stop the water flow into the tank. You can also lift the ball float to stop the water from refilling the tank until you are sure the tank flapper is sealed.
Don’t Try to Flush Again
When a toilet overflows, that means there is a blockage. Many people think the water pressure in a full bowl will be enough to push through, and it often does, but if the toilet has overflowed, trying it again will make more of a mess.
Resist the urge to double down and instead concentrate on cleaning the fluid on the floor. This can make a huge mess as it spreads bacteria and may cause damage if left too long. Take the time to mop and wipe up the spill. This will also give time for the water level to lower, maybe.
Prep Before Unclogging
After you have cleaned up around the toilet, you are ready to unclog the bowl but don’t start yet. Any disturbance to the water line may result in more mess, so assemble some paper towels, old rags and even a wet vac if necessary. You may have to bail out some water if the bowl is full.
Put a bucket beside your toilet and then use whatever you have to bail out the liquid contents so it is safe to unplug the bowl. This is gross but much better than taking a pot full of dirty water down the hallway to another toilet to dump. Once you are all prepped, you can unclog the drain.
Unclogging
There are several methods for unclogging a toilet, but it’s best to start with our plunger. Gently dip it below the water line and make a tight seal around the drain opening.
If toilet paper and debris are sticking out, do your best to seal over it so the plunging action pushes it down the drain. If you are unsuccessful with the plunger, you may need to use a plumbers snake. You can rent or buy one from your local home improvement store.
Unclog cautiously, as many rapid movements may result in more mess on the floor. Wear protective gear like gloves and boots if needed, and work slowly and methodically.
Clean Up
Now that you have successfully unclogged the toilet, the real clean-up begins. If any standing water or debris is left over, mop that up first. Now you need to fully disinfect all surfaces. You can use a bleach and water solution or buy a commercial cleaner to sanitize the room.
If you need to dry out the room, you can use a fan or a dehumidifier at the door. Open the window if there is one, and open the cabinets, shower curtain, and any other closed-off area so moisture can dry up.
Prevention
You don’t want to repeat this accident, so brushing up on some prevention tips is a good idea.
- For big loads in the bowl, flush mid-way and often.
- Don’t trust flushable products; throw them in the garbage.
- Keep the lid closed, especially with small children, so no toys or counter items get dropped into the toilet.
- Clean your drain pipes often with boiling water and vinegar, and baking soda to stop the build-up of debris in the pipes
- Consider replacing your toilet if it clogs often.
This is how you unclog an overflowing toilet. You can’t always avoid the mess, but you can take immediate action to stop the carnage and clean it up fast. We all face This avoidable accident, so use this as a guide to lessen the mess and return to regular bathroom duties.
