Toilet Overflow and Prevention

8/10/2021 (Permalink)

If the overflowing toilet takes out of control, you can count on SERVPRO.

Overflowing Toilets and Their Prevention

Dealing with a flooded toilet is a challenging and unpleasant task. For residents of Hamilton, OH, there are options available that can make cleanup and prevention a much easier and more infrequent process. Here is what you need to know.

First Steps

When toilet overflow happens, there are a few things you can do right away to prevent water damage and bacteria from spreading in your home.

• Turn the water shut off valve at the base of your toilet to stop additional water flow.
• Try to remove any objects that may be blocking the toilet and preventing it from flushing. It is best to use rubber gloves for this task so that you are protected from bacteria that may be lingering in your toilet.
• Clean up spilled water from the surrounding area with towels or other highly absorbent materials as soon as possible.
• Contact a sewage company to assess the damage.

Common Causes

Sometimes it is difficult to find the cause of your clogged toilet. The most common cause for toilet overflow is a blockage in the drain line. The drain line is the pipe that connects the outside line to your toilet line inside the house.

Sewer damage is another common culprit for an overflowing toilet. Sometimes the main sewer line can get clogged by something, and it can back up the pipe lines all the way into your home.

Septic systems can also cause toilet overflow if they are not functioning properly. This can happen if the ground surrounding the tank isn't absorbing the incoming water.
Prevention

To prevent toilet overflow, put only flushable items in the toilet. Never flush plastic, hair, paper towels or anything that will not disintegrate.

Sewer damage is no joke, and when a toilet overflows, the cleanup and damage can be daunting. Residents of Hamilton, OH, are encouraged to call a professional sewage company to check their homes for any kind of sewer damage that may cause future problems.