Which is worse – an overflowing toilet or a clogged toilet? Neither is pleasant, to be sure. And, both render your toilet useless. So, a toilet filled to the brim or trickling out the bathroom door and down the hall, which do you prefer? We prefer neither and assume you do, as well. But, if it happens, what should you do? Sun Plumbing is here to help with 24/7 emergency service. But you may have to do something immediately while you wait for us to arrive, so let’s address the necessary, immediate actions!
How to Stop an Overflowing Toilet
We realize that an overflowing toilet may initially cause a feeling of panic! That panic may be increased based on what is in the toilet. The first thing you want to do is stop the flow of water prior to dealing with the clog. A clog is what is causing the toilet to overflow. What you are trying to flush is unable to make its way down and is all coming back for an unwelcome visit.
The first step is to stop water from entering the toilet bowl causing the overflow. This is done by reaching inside the toilet tank (the back part of the toilet with the lid) and pressing down on the rubber flap at the bottom. Second, stop water from refilling the tank by lifting up on the float.
At this point, if the water level starts going down, you can begin the plunging process. If the water level does not go down, you should turn off the water supply to the toilet, if possible. This is done by turning the handle on the wall behind the toilet.
How Do I Unclog the Toilet?
Now that your toilet is no longer overflowing, take a breath. You can try unclogging the toilet using a plunger. You will know it is unclogged when the bowl suddenly “flushes” on its own. If this isn’t happening, your clog may be more serious or may be further down the pipe than you can affect with a plunger. If this is the case, you may need a professional plumber to use his auger (often referred to as a “snake”) to unclog it. Additionally, if you have more than one toilet that is clogged at the same time, then you likely have a more serious issue that will require a professional plumber to remedy the situation.
Help Is on the Way With Sun Plumbing
Whether it is your toilet or another plumbing issue, with over 45 years of experience, Sun Plumbing can rescue you from your plumbing problems! Simply give us a call and, with our 24-hour emergency service, help is on the way! We are sorry you are experiencing plumbing issues, but we look forward to serving you and adding you to our list of thoroughly satisfied customers!
