Have you ever flushed the toilet, and the water level kept rising? It can be a frustrating experience. However, if the toilet water is about to overflow and spill onto the bathroom floor, unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do to prevent it. Don’t worry, though; just take a deep breath and follow the steps recommended by your experts at Five Star Cincinnati Plumbing to walk you through the problem.
Step One – Turn Off the Toilet’s Water Valve:
Before addressing the clogged toilet, you should turn off the water supply by locating and turning the football-shaped shut-off valve located behind the toilet in a clockwise direction. It is not recommended to flush the toilet again as this could aggravate the blockage.
Step Two – Ensure the Flapper Is Sealed Closed:
To stop water from entering the toilet, first turn off the water supply. Next, open the back tank and find the rubber seal located over the drain. The seal is connected to a metal lever or chain that’s attached to the flush handle. Gently push the rubber seal downwards to ensure it is properly sealed.
Step Three – Go Ahead & Secure the Float:
To prevent the tank from filling with water, find the float cup or float ball in the toilet tank. The float cup or ball is responsible for controlling the level of water in the tank. Though optional, it is recommended to check if the float is securely in place.
Step Four – Remove the Excess Water:
Congratulations on successfully stopping the water flow! Now, it is important to clean up the affected area. Begin by removing any excess water in the toilet bowl to prevent overflowing once the toilet is back in use. However, please proceed with caution while removing the excess water, especially if there is waste or debris present in it. To prioritize safety and hygiene, it is recommended to wear gloves while cleaning. Carefully dispose of any solid waste by placing it in a trash bag. Just be sure to take the garbage out ASAP when everything is resolved. Once all solids/wastes are removed from the vicinity, scoop out the water with a bucket or container and drain it in the bathtub or sink.
Next, let’s get to those floors! It’s important to address any water damage to your floors promptly, as water damage is never fun to deal with. If you have a wet vacuum, use it to remove excess water. If you have solid floors, you can use items like old towels, rags, or a mop to clean up water overflow. In the case of carpeted areas, it’s best to put towels over the wet area and set a heavy object on top of them to soak up the water. After giving the excess water ample time to absorb into the towels, you can proceed to properly disinfect your flooring and all affected areas of the bathroom.
Step Five: Take Care of the Blockage:
Now on to the main source of the issue – the clog! To unclog your toilet, place the plunger over the drain at the bottom of the bowl, making sure the rubber portion is completely covered in the water. Now, use the plunging motion to neutralize the clog. At this point, the clog should start to drain, and all should be well again. However, on the off chance the clog still remains, there may be a larger issue at play. So, this would be a good indication that now is the time to pick up the phone and call a professional to come to assess the situation. However, if your toilet is once again functioning, perfect – you certainly championed your way through this ordeal! But don’t forget that before you wrap everything up, you should ensure everything is returned back to its original spot, the tank cover is placed back on, and the water valve is also turned back on once again.
Are you in need of a local, reliable plumber? Call Five Star Cincinnati Plumbing today at (513) 204-9944 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here! We’d be more than happy to help!
