What to do if the toilet water is high?

Author: Gus Sporer  |  Last update: Thursday, July 31, 2025

What to Do if Your Toilet Overflows
  1. Step 1: Contain the Water. You need to contain the water and stop it from flowing across the bathroom floor. ...
  2. Step 2: Shut Off the Water. ...
  3. Step 3: Clean Up the Mess. ...
  4. Step 4: Plunge the Toilet. ...
  5. Step 5: Place Towels Around the Toilet. ...
  6. Step 6: Turn the Water Back On. ...
  7. Step 7: Flush the Toilet.

What do you do if the toilet water is too high?

Often you can set the water level by adjusting the float. Toilets with ball floats and arms usually have adjustment screws or dials to raise or lower the arm. If your toilet mechanism has a cylinder float, squeeze the float clip to release the float so you can slide it up or down to the correct level.

How can I get my toilet water to go down?

Here's how to restore your toilet to working order in just five easy steps:
  1. Ensure you have the right plunger. ...
  2. Confirm that there is standing water in the toilet bowl. ...
  3. Cover the hole with the plunger at a slight angle. ...
  4. Pump the plunger several times. ...
  5. Flush.

What to do if toilet water level rises?

Start with a plunger to address any potential clogs, and if that doesn't work, check the tank's flapper valve, float, or fill valve for any issues and make necessary adjustments or replacements.

How can I make my toilet use less water?

The good news is that there are several cheap toilet upgrades to transform your old porcelain throne into a water-saving machine.
  1. Install a Dual-Flush Converter. ...
  2. Install a Toilet Tank Bank. ...
  3. Install an Adjustable Flapper. ...
  4. Install a Water-Saving Fill Valve. ...
  5. Upgrade the Toilet Handle. ...
  6. Install a Low-Flow Toilet.

3 Ways To Stop A Clogged Toilet From Overflowing

Will toilet water level go down?

Usually, we think of a clogged toilet overflowing. However, the opposite can also happen where the blockage siphons water out of the bowl. Obstructed plumbing means that water cannot flow freely and circulate to the toilet. As a result, the water level in the tank will drop.

How do I stop my toilet water from rising?

If your toilet is overflowing and you can't get the shut-off valve to budge, your next stop should be to check the flapper. Remove the tank lid and look for a hinged rubber disc covering a hole at the bottom. If that disc (flapper) is open, reach in and close it manually. This should stop the flow of water.

How to plunge a toilet when water is high?

If there's a lot of water in the bowl, scoop some of it out with a bucket or bowl. If the water level is too high, it will completely overflow when you submerge the plunger. You only need to take out a little bit to make space.

When I flush my toilet, it fills up with water then slowly drains.?

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.

Does pouring water down a toilet unblock it?

Fill a bucket with hot, but not quite boiling water and pour it directly into the drain. The combination of heat and pressure can sometimes be enough to clear minor blockages such as soap scum build-up.

How do I get my toilet water to go down?

Plunge the Water

Shut off the water supply valve. Place the flange of a toilet plunger firmly into the drain hole in the bottom of the toilet bowl. Plunge with an up-and-down motion to remove most water from the bowl. This should also force out any clog.

Why does my toilet overflow too high?

Generally, a toilet overflow stems from plumbing issues like a clogged drain or a blocked plumbing vent. A common culprit is a stubborn blockage in the drain line, usually caused by items flushed that shouldn't be, like wipes or excessive toilet paper.

Why wont my toilet water go down not clogged?

If your toilet is weak or won't flush entirely, you might have a damaged toilet flapper that isn't sealing. The flapper should form a tight seal between the tank and the bowl. If it's cracked, warped or damaged, the water will trickle into the bowl, and the toilet can't perform a powerful flush.

Will clogged toilet water go down on its own?

It depends on the clog. Blockages consisting of water-soluble materials can sometimes fix themselves if you give them enough time. Substances like toilet paper and fecal matter will eventually dissolve within the toilet drain and clear the clog organically.

What is the strongest thing to unclog a toilet?

One of the strongest substances for unclogging a toilet is a commercial drain cleaner specifically designed for toilet clogs. These cleaners typically contain powerful chemicals that dissolve organic matter and stubborn blockages.

What to do when water in toilet bowl is high?

“Look for a screw head on the valve that controls the float and that controls the water level,” Siv says. Adjust the water level by turning the screw clockwise to lower the ball or counter-clockwise to raise it. Only turn the screw one rotation at a time, then flush the toilet to see if it works efficiently.

How to stop a toilet from overflowing without a plunger?

None of these ideas involve a traditional plunger, but all are effective at breaking through unexpected clogs.
  1. Add Hot Water. If the toilet is filled to the brim, you will need to remove some of the water first. ...
  2. Try Dish Soap. ...
  3. Create a Toilet Snake. ...
  4. Force Airflow. ...
  5. Use Baking Soda and Vinegar. ...
  6. Try Store-Bought Cleaners.

How do you fix a toilet when the water is rising?

How to Fix a Running Toilet
  1. Check the Overflow Tube Height. The overflow tube is a part of the flush valve assembly. ...
  2. Lower the Water Level in the Tank. ...
  3. Inspect the Flush Valve Chain. ...
  4. Check the Flapper. ...
  5. Replace the Flush Valve. ...
  6. Replace the Fill Valve.

How to make the water level in a toilet bowl lower?

Directly on top of the fill valve should be a single screw. Turn this screw clockwise or counterclockwise 1 full rotation. Clockwise will raise the water level and counterclockwise will lower it. Avoid turning the screw more than 1 full rotation at a time.

Why is my toilet water going up?

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.

What is the best toilet bowl cleaner?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Overall: SALE. ...
  • Best Tablet: Clorox Foaming Toilet Bombs at Amazon $10. ...
  • Best Wand: Clorox Disinfecting ToiletWand Cleaning System at Amazon $14. ...
  • Best for Septic Systems: Clorox Scentiva Toilet Cleaning Gel at Amazon $9. ...
  • Best Automatic: ...
  • Best for Tough Stains:

Previous article
Does zucchini need a trellis?
Next article
Do you apply primer with a brush or roller?