If your toilet is slow to drain use a plunger. If that doesn't work use a toilet snake/auger. You can also access the clean out on an outside wall to run a longer snake for the toilet. If water is backing up into your tub then you have a sewer main problem and need to call a professional.
Start with a Plunger
While a toilet plunger may not be a very high-tech solution, it's often the most effective and best way to unclog a toilet. In fact, most clogged toilets can usually be cleared with a simple plunger. Just make sure that you use the right kind of plunger as there are sink plungers as well.
If your toilet is backing up, it may be due to your tank not having enough water to flush it. Low tank water levels may result from several causes. Damaged water supply lines, broken tank seals, and other issues may prevent tanks from filling completely. Some toilet models may also have low flush strength.
Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) Valves: Mechanical devices that prevent backflow by using a double-check valve system. They're best suited for high-risk properties, like those with boilers or fire sprinkler systems. Pressure Vacuum Breaker (PVB) Assemblies: These use air to break the siphon and prevent backflow.
Remove the lid from the toilet tank, reach inside the tank and lift up the bottom of the fill valve or float to stop the water from refilling. Rig the float to stay up to prevent it from refilling the toilet. You can also pull out the refill tube from the overflow valve to stop the water from refilling the tank.
The first step to fixing a toilet constantly running water is, of course, determining the root cause of the problem. The three main causes of a running toilet are flush valve issues, overflow tube problems, and fill valve malfunctions.
An overflowing toilet is caused by one of three things: a clogged or blocked drain that doesn't allow for a proper flush, an improperly adjusted float that allows the tank to overfill or a blocked vent pipe that replaces the air in the pipe after each flush.
Continuous clogs in multiple toilets indicate an issue with the main sewer lines that feed in and out of your home. The buildup of unflushable materials in sewer lines can cause them to back up and even reverse their flow resulting in a backflow that could lead to more serious and expensive problems.
If you do not have a backwater valve, plugs with backflow devices can be installed in floor drains. These plugs have a ball or float that will stop water or sewage from backing up into a home while permitting water to flow into the drain. These plugs can be left in place year-round.
If your toilet isn't flushing all the way, it's most likely because of one of these problems: The water level in your toilet tank is set too low. Problems with your flapper. A clog in the toilet, flange or drain.
Try Dish Soap
Pour a half cup of liquid dish soap into your toilet. Let the build-up soak. Soaking with dish soap is similar to soaking buildup on pots and pans before washing them. Flush out the blockage.
A clog somewhere in the plumbing system is the most common cause of toilet backups. If you notice problems with only one toilet, and all other drains in the house appear to be fine, a local clog is the likely culprit. 2. The sewer line is blocked or damaged.
You need water, not air, pressure to loosen the clog. If your toilet lacks water, pour in enough water till the plunger is covered. Use a gentle plunge initially since a hard one will force air back around the seal, blowing water all over you and your bathroom floor.
To prevent sewage backflow, many commercial buildings and some residential buildings have a backflow prevention device installed in their plumbing system. This device usually consists of multiple check valves that keep water from flowing backward if a drastic change in water pressure triggers back pressure.
Prop Up the Float Lever or Ball
Force the overflowing toilet to stop filling by propping up the float lever. To do this, first remove the toilet tank lid. Inside, you'll find a float valve near the water's surface. When you flush, this valve descends, opening the fill valve to let water into the tank.
Check your water levels
Low water levels in your tank are common causes of toilets filling up with water when flushed. They can also cause slow-draining toilets. You can manually top up your tank with water to help the flush. Then, check the flush tube for cracks and bends that lead to leaks.