A toilet overflowing for no reason is one of the grossest things you can encounter, and nobody wants to see it happen. Still, it can occur at any time. The first thing you need to do is stop the flood. Then you can figure out what’s wrong. Why do toilets overflow? Learn what to do with a toilet that’s overflowing for no reason and fix the problem for good.
Why Do Toilets Overflow?
Toilets can overflow for various reasons; some are easy to fix, while others are a nightmare. If, for example, your toilet overflows but you haven’t flushed it, that could mean you have a clog in your sewer system or from a washing machine drain. These may require significant repairs to fix.
The problem often occurs because the toilet was flushed, and there’s a clog somewhere. Until you’ve exhausted that as a possibility, assume that’s what happened. Even if the toilet doesn’t seem clogged, it likely is, and the clog is just farther down.
Finally, you might have a blocked vent pipe, the part of your system that moves air into the plumbing system. The toilet won’t flush and will back up when air can’t get in. You’ll usually need a plumber to fix this issue.
Can I Quickly Stop the Flood?
There are three fast fixes to at least stop the flood temporarily. First, reach behind the toilet and find the shutoff valve. Close it, and the water will stop running, which should cut off the flood. A second option is to lift the top of the toilet tank off and push the flapper down until the water stops running.
Finally, you can lift the float as high as possible until the water stops running. For this one, however, you’ll need something to prop up the float, so it doesn’t drop back down. All of these, of course, are just quick fixes until you can get the cause of the flood under control.
How Do I Clear the Clog?
There are a few methods to clear a clog if that’s the cause. If it’s not a stubborn clog, the first is using a good old-fashioned plunger. Place it over the hole at the bottom of the bowl, making sure it covers the entire hole, and go to work. Plunge a few times, then lift it sharply and see if the clog clears.
More stubborn clogs may need to be snaked. You can get a snake at a local hardware store; it looks like a long cable with a spring or barbs on the end that you feed into the drain. When it hits the clog, you turn the snake until it bores through and breaks up the clog, opening the drain.
Should I Use Chemical Drain Opener?
Never use a chemical drain opener in a toilet. Chemical drain openers can damage your pipes, and toilet drains are shaped differently than sink drains, so the chemicals can’t even get to the clog.
When It’s Time to Call in the Professionals
If you can’t get the clog cleared yourself, it’s time to call in the pros. A plumber can quickly diagnose the problem and open your drain once more. For help with your toilet overflowing for no reason, contact Sin City Plumbing today to learn more!
