Overflowing Toilet

Turn off the shutoff valve behind the toilet first, then call before the next flush sends water onto the floor again.

Tap to Call(855) 321-3426

When this becomes an emergency

Water rising toward the rim instead of going down after a flush
Water spilling onto the bathroom floor with the tank still running
The bowl filling back up on its own a few minutes after flushing

What a pro does

An overflowing toilet rarely comes from the toilet alone. A plumber checks the trap and the vent first, then works back toward the main line if a closet auger doesn't clear it, since a toilet that keeps backing up after clearing is often a sign the real clog sits further down the line. They'll also check the fill valve and float, because a toilet overflowing from the tank rather than the bowl points to a different problem entirely. Where the clog actually lives changes the whole approach to clearing it.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the toilet keep clogging even after it's cleared?

The blockage probably isn't fully gone, or it's further down the line than an auger reached. A camera inspection usually settles which one it is.

Is flushing again after it starts to rise a bad idea?

Yes. Flushing again while the bowl is still full almost always pushes it over the rim, and shutting the valve behind the toilet stops that risk immediately.

Can tree roots cause a toilet to back up?

In older sections of pipe it can, especially where a mature tree sits close to the line running out to the street or septic connection.

Overflowing Toilet?

Get connected with a local pro now.

Tap to Call(855) 321-3426

Keep going

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