What Should You Do If Your Toilet Overflows in Meridian?

Dealing with an overflowing toilet is quite frustrating. You might scramble for towels, shout for help, and maybe wonder if you should call a plumber. It can be chaos, especially if it has never happened before. The fear of water damage, the mess, and the odor hit fast. Also, the stress level can climb quickly if you have children or guests in the house. 

This type of plumbing emergency happens often, especially in growing areas like Meridian. Many homes here can experience issues from clogs, sewer line backups, or kids tossing things into the toilet. In many cases, you can fix or at least contain it yourself until help arrives. You should Go here to find the help you need. Below are the steps to take when your toilet overflows. 

Stay Calm and Act Fast

Overflowing toilets can make a mess, but they are a common problem. What matters most is how quickly you respond. Stop flushing as soon as you notice the water rising too high. Then shut off the water.

Turn Off the Water Supply

You should look behind your toilet near the base of the wall to find a small valve. This is your toilet’s water supply shut-off. Turn it clockwise to stop more water from flowing into the tank and bowl. You can remove the lid from the tank and lift the float or ball inside to stop the water from rising if the valve is stuck. The overflow will slow down and stop once the water is off. This gives you time to figure out what caused it.

Grab Some Towels and Clean Up

You must soak up as much water as possible right away to prevent floor damage, especially if you have wood or laminate flooring. Use towels, a mop, or a wet/dry vacuum if you have one. Be sure to wash everything thoroughly afterward, especially if any water was dirty.

Contact a local water damage specialist in Meridian if the overflow is severe, and water gets under the baseboards or into another room. A professional plumbing service will prevent mold and other long-term problems from happening. 

Use a Plunger to Clear the Blockage

Deal with the reason your toilet overflowed once things are under control. It is usually because of a clog in the bowl or drainpipe. You should get a good-quality plunger, ideally one with a flange on the bottom, which creates a better seal for toilets. It should be placed over the hole in the bottom of the toilet bowl and pushed down slowly at first. Give it a few strong pumps. Pull the plunger away to see if the water drains after about 15 to 20 seconds. For general home maintenance tips and guides, homebuckets.org can be a helpful resource.

You have probably cleared the clog if it goes down. 

Try a Toilet Auger if the Plunger Fails

A toilet auger might help if plunging does not work. This is a long, flexible tool designed to reach deeper into the drain than a plunger can. You must feed it into the toilet bowl and turn the handle to break up or pull out whatever is stuck in the pipe. You can easily find toilet augers in hardware stores in Meridian. You might want to keep them on hand, especially if you have had toilet issues before.

Know When to Call a Plumber

You might have to call in a professional if plunging and using an auger do not fix the problem. A clogged toilet that keeps overflowing could mean there is a blockage farther down in your home’s plumbing system or in the main sewer line. 

Roots can grow into underground pipes as some homes in Meridian have older plumbing or tree-filled yards. Plumbers can use special cameras and high-powered tools to locate and fix these types of problems.