How to: Dealing with an Overflowing Toilet
An overflowing toilet is one of the nastiest situations that homeowners have to deal with. It’s a hassle—to say the least—especially if sewage matter is backed up. If the problem goes unnoticed, the water may even make its way to your bedroom.
Toilets overflow when there’s an obstruction blocking the drain. The lower down the blockage is, the more difficult it is to tackle the situation on your own. Other than that, they can also overflow if something’s wrong with the flaps and valves.
Here’s how you can deal with the situation:
Check for leaks
It’s a common misconception that a toilet will only leak if there’s an obstruction—leaks are equally culpable. There are three main components that make up a toilet—the fill valve, flush valve, and the flapper. The flapper covers the valve and keeps the water from overflowing, and the valve is responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of water.
In this case, either the flapper is faulty or there’s some problem with the valve. To check whether it’s the latter, put some food color into the toilet and flush. If the color persists, you can be sure that there’s a leak. Once you’ve detected the problem, you’ll have to call a plumber and get the valves replaced.
You also need to check whether the chain between the flush lever and the flapper valve is tangled. In that case, try and untangle it.
Use a plunger
Plungers are the most common—and well-known—plumbing tools; most people have them in their homes. Ideally, a few pumps should unclog the drain and let water pass freely. All you have to do is fit the plunger over the drain hole and start pumping. The rubber ring should fit right above the drain.
If plunging doesn’t solve the issue, you need to inspect the toilet tank deeper down. This, however, requires professional services. You also need to get in touch with a professional plumber if the toilet continues to overflow, even if it’s not flushing.
Look for corrosions
If the toilet handle is made of steel or iron, it’s highly susceptible to rusting. Corrosion can make the handle stiffer and more stubborn. If you press it downward, it might never spring up to regain its original position.
If you leave the handle pressed overnight, you’ll probably wake up with a puddle in your bedroom. This is also why you should get your toilet fixtures replaced frequently.
No matter what went down the drain, we will always be a call away. If you need emergency plumbing services in Fort Worth, get in touch with Pro Serve Plumbing.
