When you flush your toilet, you expect water to flow into the bowl and carry waste away into the sewer line. Sometimes, however, the opposite happens, and the water rather starts to come up. In some cases, the toilet may even start to overflow, which can affect the hygiene in the bathroom and push up your utility bill. An overflowing toilet can be a cause for concern, but there are four simple steps you can follow in dealing with the situation.
What Causes A Toilet To Overflow
An overflowing toilet means the drain that carries water from the bowl to the sewer line is clogged. A drain clog means water cannot flow through to the sewer line when you flush the toilet, which causes the water to pile up in the bowl and eventually overflow.
There are several reasons why a toilet can become clogged. Let’s consider a few potential causes:
- Flushing down non-flushable objects in the toilet
- Using the toilet to dispose of cat litter or dog waste
- Adding too much toilet paper to the bowl before flushing
- Having a weak flush over a long period of time
What To Do When It Overflows
If your toilet overflows, it could cause category three contaminated water, also known as black water, to enter your home. This is especially the case when flushing does not carry the waste to the sewer line but rather causes it to flow on your bathroom floor.
When your toilet overflows, taking action immediately is important. There are a couple of steps you should take before you call a Nashville plumber – as they can then help to find the cause of the problem and take action from there.
Turn Off The Water Shut Off Valve
The very first step is to turn the shut-off valve on your toilet. This valve is usually found around the back region of the toilet. It controls the water supply toward the toilet. Turning it off will immediately stop water from flowing into the toilet tank. It’s an important step to take as it helps to ensure the overflowing can stop.
Clean Up The Water
Now that the overflowing has been taken care of, it’s important to clean up the water spills. Get a towel to dry up the floors around your toilet. Look at where the water went during the overflow and try to clean all of these areas.
Disinfect Surfaces
Due to the possible presence of contaminants in the water that poured over the toilet bowl, it is also important to disinfect surfaces that come into contact with the water. Use a strong disinfectant to ensure it kills bacteria and any other pathogens. You can use hot soapy water to help with sanitizing these surfaces.
Plunge The Toilet
The last step is to plunge into the toilet. You can use a regular plunger, as it will help to unclog the toilet. Your toilet bowl will still be full of water, so make sure you are careful with the plunger. The goal is to avoid spilling more water on the floor.
How To Prevent It From Happening Again
Having a toilet that overflows is unpleasant and can even expose you to harmful pathogens. Prevention is definitely an important point here. Start by getting a Nashville plumber to inspect your toilet setup, as there might be a fault somewhere that is causing the clogging.
You can also do a few things from your side to help reduce the risk of clogs in the future. First, make sure you don’t use too much toilet paper before flushing the toilet. If you do use a lot of toilet paper, consider flushing in between your usage. It’s also important to avoid throwing non-flushable items into your toilet, as these are also more likely to cause clogs. Do not dispose of waste or litter in the toilet. Rather tie these in a bag and then throw them into your trash can.
Let The Experts At Green Group Help You
If you have consistent problems with an overflowing toilet, then calling in the professionals is definitely an important step that you should take. Green Group offers professional plumbing services in Nashville, Tennessee. We can assist with both residential and commercial plumbing. It’s quick and easy to schedule an appointment; whether it is for a toilet that overflows or another issue, we’re here to help you.
Contact us today to learn more about our services.
