A clogged drain is the most common cause of a toilet overflowing. This overflow is typically caused by a blockage in the drainpipe. A slow drain may also result from objects that have been flushed but not fully broken down, such as dental floss or hair.
Let’s take a look at the common causes of toilets overflowing and ways you can fix it.
1) Flushing Waste on the Toilet
One of the most common causes of overflowing toilets is flushing nontoilet waste such as paper towels, diapers, sanitary napkins, and more. When you flush nontoilet waste, it creates a blockage in the drainpipe and overflows the bowl.
You should avoid flushing these types of waste because they can cause clogs in your plumbing. They are not made to be flushed and will not break down like toilet paper will. You should also avoid flushing tampons and other sanitary products down the toilet, mainly because they’re expensive and don’t break down.
2) Partial Flushing
Another common cause of overflowing toilets is partial flushing. This is when you only flush part of the waste down the toilet and leave the toilet bowl half full. This can also cause a blockage in the drainpipe and will result in an overflowing toilet.
A toilet is designed to flush all waste away, down the drainpipe, so it doesn’t come back up. If you only partially flush, there is still waste in the toilet bowl, and it will eventually clog the drain pipe, causing an overflow.
3) Flushing Grease
Another common cause of overflowing toilets is partial flushing. This is when you only flush part of the waste down the toilet and leave the toilet bowl half full. This can also cause a blockage in the drainpipe and will result in an overflowing toilet.
A toilet is designed to flush all waste away, down the drainpipe, so it doesn’t come back up. If you only partially flush, there is still waste in the toilet bowl, and it will eventually clog the drain pipe, causing an overflow.
How to Stop an Overflowing Toilet
1) Find the Tank Ball
The first step is to find and remove the ball from the tank. It’s usually located on the side of the toilet between the tank and the bowl, and it is red or blue, ceramic or plastic. By pulling the ball out of the tank, it will allow the water to drain.
Note that you shouldn’t flush the ball down the toilet. If the ball is made of plastic, you can rinse it in cold water and let it air dry. If it’s made of ceramic, put it in the trash.
2) Shut Off the Valve
Next, you’ll need to find the valve on the supply line. This is usually on a pipe on the wall behind the toilet. The valve is usually labeled, as you can see in the image above.
Turn the valve clockwise to the left until it’s in the off position. This will stop the flow of water to the toilet.
Conclusion
Fixing an overflowing toilet is relatively easy, but it’s important that you know what the problem is before you begin. If you’re not sure, there are several signs your toilet bowl is overflowing, including water flowing out and water seeping under the lid.
When it comes to fixing your toilet, Professor Plumbing can lend you a hand. We are a plumbing company that easily helps you unclog your toilet. Give us a call today to learn more about our services.