There is nothing more annoying than a broken toilet. We all know how important a toilet is in every home and business establishment. That is why you should not leave even a minor toilet issue unfixed, or it could get worse and even end up beyond repair later on. Better yet, hire a professional plumber to help you fix your toilet and other plumbing needs.
An overflowing toilet is one of the most common bathroom issues that should be addressed immediately. It can cause a lot of trouble for those who want to use it. Thankfully, fixing an overflowing toilet is not as complicated as you think.
What causes an overflowing toilet?
The most common reason a toilet overflows is pipe and drain clogging. This usually happens when you flush something unsuitable to flush in the toilet. It can also be due to a malfunctioning toilet. One instance is when the toilet float malfunctions and causes the water to run continuously.
How to fix a toilet that overflows
It is up to you to call a professional plumber or fix the toilet yourself. Nonetheless, here are tips to fix a toilet that overflows.
Don’t flush the toilet.
The golden rule of a broken toilet is not to flush it and put any objects or chemicals in it. If you are not sure how to unclog a broken toilet, hire a professional plumber instead. Otherwise, doing it on your own without other experience may do more harm to your toilet than good.
Remove the toilet lid first.
If you are confident about doing the repair job, here is what you can do. First, you should remove the lid from the toilet tank. Then, reach inside the toilet tank and lift the bottom of the fill valve to stop the water from continuously running.
You can also pull out the refill tube from the tank’s overflow valve to stop the water from refilling. Then, turn off the water supply. If your toilet is still overflowing even after turning off the main water supply in your home, you might have to call a plumber to help you fix your toilet.
Never flush any object or chemicals in the toilet.
Do not flush any of these items or chemical products in your toilet. Doing so can cause clogging and could further damage your toilet and plumbing system:
- Corrosive or radioactive chemicals
- Bulky or solid garbage items and materials such as glass, metal, wood, plastics, straws
- Oil and grease will lead to a fatty layer buildup and cause clogging and damage to the pipes.
- Hygiene and personal products such as a napkin, disposable diapers, or tampons
These items are not meant to be flushed in the toilet and should be thrown in the trash bin instead. Otherwise, they will cause blockage to your toilet.
Also, your toilet should have a float to help determine how much water should flow in your toilet tank. The float lowers itself after flushing the toilet and opens the filling valve to let water enter the toilet tank. There are two types of toilet float: the ball float and the cup float.
If all else fails and these tips on repairing a broken toilet do not work, better to contact a professional plumber in Franklin, TN, immediately.