Step by Step Guide to Managing a Toilet Overflow

6/25/2021 (Permalink)

Fix your toilet.

Managing A Toilet Overflow

As a homeowner, there are a few plumbing issues you can expect to crop up. Clogged pipes, leaky faucets and overflowing toilets are all common enough problems that you shouldn't be too surprised if they happen to you. The toilet overflow presents a unique challenge for Vinings, GA, homeowners because it introduces the possibility of sewer damage. If your toilet starts running over, consider following these basic steps.

1. Stop the water. Your first mission should be to end the deluge of water. Most toilets have a shut-off valve at the base. Check to see if your fixture has one. If not, you can stop the water by manually manipulating the float. If all else fails, you can turn off your home's water until the flooded toilet has been taken care of.

2. Get some help. Once the initial onslaught of water has been stopped, you need to call in a water restoration expert to help you assess the damage. This professional can help you figure out why the toilet started to overflow. The team may also create a sewer damage cleanup plan to help you get your bathroom back to normal.

3. Remove the water. Leaving standing water in any part of your home is unwise. The water damage team will likely remove the water as soon as they can. This helps reduce the secondary damage, such as mold growth and material contamination, that can happen as a result of a flooded toilet.

4. Fix the toilet. Chances are your toilet overflowed for a reason. The most common reason is a clog. Work closely with a plumber to remove the blockage from the pipes. If this does not seem to be the issue, you can call the sewage company to figure out what's going on with your system.

The sooner you can address sewer damage the better it is for your home. This type of dirty water can lead to mold growth in as little as 24 to 48 hours.