What Should I Do If My Toilet Starts Overflowing?

If your toilet begins to overflow - immediately lift the lid of the toilet tank and pull up on the float. This will immediately stop any more water from flowing into the toilet bowl. You may then need to have someone else reach behind the toilet to turn off the water supply which completely stops any more water from getting into the tank and the bowl.

Tip: The water in your toilet's tank is clean.

Why Is My Toilet Overflowing When I Flush?

The 3 most common reasons that your toilet may be overflowing are...

  1. A blocked vent pipe
  2. A problem with the toilet float in your tank
  3. A clog in the toilet or drain pipe

    4. Blocked Vent Pipes And Overflowing Toilets

    If a vent that is attached to your sewer system and your toilet is clogged, it can cause the toilet then to drain slowly and demonstrate the same symptoms as if there was a clog in the toilet - which means that your toilet could overflow.

    Problems With Your Tank's Toilet Float

    The purpose of the toilet float is to prevent the tank from overflowing. If it's properly installed and is working correctly, it will stop the water from coming into the tank at a certain point.

    But if there is a problem with the float - then an overflow situation could occur.

    For information on how to adjust the water level in your toilet bowl - click here.

    How Do You Fix A Toilet That Is Overflowing?

    The fix for an overflowing toilet will depend on what is causing it. So, let's go over each of the 3 common reasons a toilet overflows that I mentioned above.

    If You Believe The Problem Is A Clog

    A plunger or toilet auger would be the best tools to use for a clogged toilet.

    If the toilet bowl is full of water you may be hesitant to put the plunger in there which might cause that water and/or sewage to spill out onto the bathroom floor.

    So, here are some simple steps on what you can do.

    1. Make sure the water valve behind the toilet is turned off.
    2. Wait 20 - 30 minutes (sometimes less) and the water in the bowl should go down enough for you to use a plunger.
    3. Use the plunger slowly at first and continue doing so until the water level goes down even further.
    4. Flush the toilet to ensure that it will drain.
    5. Once you're sure you are in the clear, turn the water valve back on.
    6. Flush the toilet again and hopefully everything is working fine.

    Uncloging A Toilet With A Toilet Auger

    Using the toilet auger is very simple. It looks like a short fishing pole but instead of fishing line, it has a thick flexible cable wire that is expanded either manually or powered by a battery or electricity.

    The user feeds the cable wire through the toilet drain and hopefully, it will dislodge the clog.

    If neither of these techniques work the clog may be further down the drain pipe. We then recommend that you contact a professional plumber to locate and dislodge that clog.

    If The Problem Is The Vent Pipe

    Sewer vents are located on the roof of your house. They allow the gases that build up in your sewer system to escape.

    Work on a vent pipe is very difficult and if it involves getting on the roof, potentially very dangerous. It's strongly recommended that you contact a professional plumber if you suspect that your sewer vents are clogged.

    If The Problem Is The Toilet Float

    Problems with the toilet float are often fixed by simply replacing it. They are inexpensive and easy to find at your local hardware store.

    If you have any questions about your toilet or are having problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.