What to Do When Your Toilet Overflows: Prevention and Quick Fixes

We’ve all been there before—that moment of dread when you flush the toilet and what was meant to go down comes up. A toilet overflow can quickly turn a routine bathroom visit into a mini-crisis. But with the right knowledge and a calm approach, you can easily get things under control. Here’s what to do when your toilet overflows.

Turn Off the Water

Toilet overflows aren’t just messy—they’re destructive, which means you must move quickly to mitigate damage. To prevent further damage due to flooding, turn off the water supply. Look for the shutoff valve near the base of the toilet and turn it clockwise.

If water continues flowing, open the tank and close the toilet flapper. This will stop more water from entering the toilet bowl and prevent overflow.

Determine the Cause

Now that you’ve paused the immediate crisis, you must determine the cause of the toilet overflow. Look for obvious blockages. Common toilet bowl overflows are caused by:

• Excessive toilet paper or personal hygiene products
• A blocked plumbing vent
• Sewer line issues like tree roots or other obstructions
• Low-flow toilet issues

If you cannot identify the cause or restore flow with a plunger, please reach out. Our friendly technicians can conduct a plumbing inspection and quickly diagnose the issue!

Clear the Blockage

In most cases, a good old-fashioned plunger is the best DIY tool for dealing with toilet bowl overflow. We suggest using a flange plunger. These have an additional rubber flap extending from the bottom of the cup into the toilet bowl outlet, creating a tighter seal.

Clean Up & Sanitize

After addressing the blockage, give the space and toilet a thorough cleaning. Towels may be sufficient for minor toilet overflow, but large spills may require a wet vacuum. Once the water is removed, it’s time to disinfect. Remember, the goal is to disinfect without damaging your floors.

• For tiled floors: Use a bleach-based cleaner or a cup of bleach to a gallon of water. Pay attention to grout and areas of the floor where bacteria might hide.
• For wood and laminate flooring: Avoid bleach. Instead, use a disinfectant specifically designed for these surfaces.
• For carpets and rugs: Remove as much excess water as possible. Then, use a carpet-safe disinfectant product.

Thoroughly Dry the Area

Turn on a fan in the area to circulate the air, and if weather permits, open the windows. If you have a dehumidifier, run it to remove moisture from the air.

Water damage can easily go unnoticed, so carefully inspect the area over the course of several days. Look for visible signs of damage—places where water may have seeped into walls or floors. If your bathroom is on an upper floor, inspect the ceiling for water stains below the bathroom. If you notice ongoing changes or are uncertain about the extent of damage, please reach out! We’re here to help.

Preventing Toilet Bowl Overflows

Here are effective ways to prevent common toilet overflows:

• Avoiding flushing wipes, even if they say “flushable”
• Do not flush feminine hygiene products
• Be mindful of toilet paper and remind others in the household to use only what is necessary
• Schedule annual plumbing check-ups for bathroom plumbing as well as the rest of the home
• Plunge the toilet periodically, even if there is not a clog
• And remember, prevention is key to avoiding the hassle of toilet overflow!

Don’t Let Unexpected Plumbing Issues Surprise You

At Good Clean Plumbing, we believe preventative maintenance is always the best approach to avoid costly plumbing catastrophes. By scheduling a plumbing inspection, you’ll catch small issues before they become big problems, saving you time, money, and messy toilet bowl overflows! Contact us today.