What To Do When Your Toilet Overflows: And Prevent It From Happening Again!

8/20/2021 (Permalink)

Toilets are a necessity in every home and it is important to keep them running properly. There's nothing worse than when you really have to go, but your own toilet is out of order. Avoid this dilemma by taking care of your toilet!

A common problem with toilets is that they can overflow. There are several reasons for this problem, and it is important that they are addressed as soon as possible to minimize health risks and damages.

Common Causes of Overflowing Toilets:

Oh no, your toilet overflowed! It happens to everyone at some point, however, it is inconvenient and can result in costly damages. In order to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again, it is important to understand why your toilet is overflowing. Here are a few of the most common causes of an overflowing toilet:

• Blockage
• A faulty fill valve or flapper
• Empty tank
• The toilet is in need of repair
• A problem with the plumbing, which can lead to a leaky pipe
• Overuse. Toilet overflows could be the result of more people using the toilet than usual - for example, if you just had a party or if someone has been sick recently.

What To Do When Your Toilet Overflows

It's important to act fast as soon as you realize your toilet is overflowing. The following steps should be done immediately in order to prevent costly damages and health hazards in your home:

• Turn the emergency water shut-off valve. First, you want to cut off the water supply going into your home. This can be done by turning the emergency water shut-off valve attached to the pipe behind your toilet. When you turn the valve, you stop the flow of water into your toilet, and most importantly, you stop the toilet water from spilling all over your beautiful bathroom floor.
• Remove as much of the water as you can. Use a wet vac, mop, or towels to soak up as much water from your floors as possible.
• Disinfect. As you may know, toilet water is not very pristine. In order to prevent health hazards in your home, disinfect any surface that comes in contact with the toilet water.
• Remove the blockage. If you suspect an object is the culprit of your toilet overflowing, grab the plunger and try to plunge it free.

Prevent Future Toilet Overflows

An overflowing toilet can be a huge hassle. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent it from happening again. Keep your toilet running smoothly and avoid the potential of more water damage with these tips:

• Keep the pipes clear. You can prevent clogs by using less toilet paper and never flushing any foreign objects such as cotton balls, feminine products, or baby wipes down the drain.
• Check for any leaks. Leaks near or around your toilet and pipes could be a sign of a serious problem. Regular checking of your pipes will allow you to identify and fix problems before they happen!
• Call a professional. If your toilet is flushing sluggishly, it could be a sign of a clog, which could eventually lead to a toilet overflow. A professional plumber will be able to identify the problem and get your pipes flowing freely again.

Water Damage: What You Need To Know

Keeping your toilet from overflowing is essential in order to prevent serious water damage to your floors, walls, and furniture. Water damage can cause structural damage as well as create health hazards in your home. When a toilet overflows, the ensuing water creates conditions that may lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can have detrimental effects on your health.

Our water damage restoration professionals at SERVPRO are highly trained in water removal and cleanup, as well as assessing water damages and installing clean water systems for use until repairs are made. You can rest assured that we will have everything under control in no time! Our professional water removal and restoration services will save you time and money on future repairs that may be necessary after water damages. If you need water damage cleanup and restoration, give us a call now at 210-822-2063. We are available 24/7 for all your emergency water damage needs!