5 Steps To Take After You Discover a Flooded Toilet in Your Home

6/8/2022 (Permalink)

Follow our Tips to know what to do if you Discover a Flooded Toilet in Your Home.

It is easy to panic when a toilet overflows in your bathroom. The rushing water from the toilet bowl or tank could quickly cause a flood. You may be able to stop the gushing water by yourself. For the cleanup, however, you should call a sewage company such as SERVPRO that specializes in restorations.

What To Do When You Discover a Flooded Toilet

1. Shut off the Water

To limit further sewer damage to your bathroom, you should turn off the water immediately. Start by finding the water shut-off valve behind your toilet. If closing that valve does not work, turn off the main line that provides water to your home.

2. Apply Towels

Put some old towels on the wet floor and around the base of the toilet. The towels should absorb any additional water that overflows. They will also stop you from slipping.

3. Grab the Right Plunger or Snake

When you are ready to remove the clog, use a plunger designed specifically for toilets. It should have a flange that seals the opening of the drain. Do not apply the plunger while the water is still overflowing, as this could make the flood worse. If the clog is still present after a few plunges, try a toilet snake instead.

4. Hire Cleanup Professionals

When you are finished clearing the clog, you will probably still have to deal with the messy flood in your bathroom. Toilet water may contain bacteria or parasites that can make you sick. You should thus be particularly cautious when handling the water. Wear goggles and rubber gloves before attempting any cleanup. The harmful microorganisms in the water could also contaminate your clothes and tools. While you can disinfect these belongings after the fact, you are better off hiring sewer damage cleanup professionals. The experts at SERVPRO know how to safely restore your home after a bathroom disaster.  

5. Prevent Future Clogs

Once the clog is under control and your bathroom is clean, you should take steps to prevent future toilet blockages. First, you need to understand the common causes of toilet clogs. Sometimes, a clog occurs because of the toilet itself. If water is spilling out of the toilet’s tank, there may be a problem with the fill valve. You should thus have a plumber repair the fixture.

A clog that comes from the toilet bowl is likely caused by a blockage in the drainpipe or toilet trap. The trap, in particular, can become clogged when certain items are flushed down the toilet. Dental floss, facial tissues, paper towels and cotton balls should all be disposed of in a regular garbage can and not in a toilet. If there is no obvious reason for your toilet overflow, you may be dealing with a clog in the lateral line that connects your home to the local plumbing system.

Contact a White Bear Lake, MN, government representative to see what you can do about the situation. While you may be able to stop an overflowing toilet by yourself, touching the dirty water that spilled onto your bathroom floor can be dangerous. You should thus let the sewer damage specialists at SERVPRO handle the cleanup.