To stop an overflowing toilet, quick thought and rapid action are required. Fortunately, if you know how to care for it, it's not difficult!

The first step is to swiftly and gently remove the toilet tank cover and place it aside. Make sure it's secure, but don't bother about lying it on towels or anything - remember, you don't have much time to waste!

Next, reach into the toilet tank and depress the flapper valve. The flapper is the rubber element at the tank's bottom center. This will prevent extra water from entering the bowl and should keep it from pouring over the edges.

Stop the tank from filling once you've secured the flapper valve by pulling up on the float that activates the tank fill valve. With the main water supply turned off, the water level in the bowl should gradually begin to fall. After approximately a minute, if the water level returns to normal, you should be able to release go of the float and let the bowl refill without worrying about it overflowing. Keep an eye on it so you can shut it off if the level rises too high.

If the water level does not begin to fall after approximately a minute, keep the float in place while you turn off the water at the toilet supply valve, which is situated near the floor or in the wall behind the toilet - turn it clockwise (to the right) to close it. If you are unable to reach the valve while holding the float, let go of the ball and close the valve as quickly as possible.

HOW TO UNCLOG AN OVERFLOWING TOILET

Once the toilet has stopped overflowing,

• All toilets sinks, and other plumbing equipment must be turned off.
• To determine if you can remove any clogs from the drain, try using a plunger.
• Start with the fixtures in the bathroom and work your way up to discover the cause of the problem. It's helpful to have a companion observing the lower levels while examining fittings on the top floors; otherwise, it's difficult to tell if upstairs drains are genuinely operating or are just backing up into lower drains.
• If only one toilet is clogged, the issue is most likely limited to that toilet. If numerous toilets are damaged, the problem might be a clogged system drain or a failing septic field.
• If you are unable to remove the blockage on your own, contact a professional! 

If your house or business has been impacted by sewage or overflowing water, please do not hesitate to contact Restoration 1 of Peyton. Our IICRC-certified technicians will undertake emergency water removal and drying to return your home to its pre-loss condition.