There are typically four main reasons for a toilet overflowing. The drain line may be clogged, the plumbing vents are blocked, the main sewer line for the home is plugged, or, if you have a septic system, the septic tank may be full or obstructed, causing the waste water to backflow into the home.
If water is rising in the bowl immediately after you've already flushed, that means a clog is blocking the water from moving through the toilet drain. If you flush again, there will be even more water that's unable to make it past the clog, and you'll end up with even more flooding from the toilet bowl.
If the water is rising in the toilet, the absolute first thing you should do is remove the toilet tank lid and press the flapper down. The toilet flapper allows water to flow from the tank into the toilet bowl, and pressing it closed will immediately stop the water from rising, preventing a potential overflow.
Another possibility is that the flapper valve that seals between the tank and the bowl isn't sealing properly, allowing water to constantly leak into the bowl. If it weren't for the blockage, you might never notice this leaking issue, because the toilet will flush itself when the water in the bowl rises high enough.
In an effort to dislodge whatever is clogging the toilet, many homeowners get overzealous and thrust too hard downward into the toilet with their plunger. A hard thrust downward can break the wax seal between the toilet and the floor, causing a leak. And a really hard thrust could even crack the bowl.
Ideally, no more than five or 10 minutes. One plumber told us that if plunging goes on any longer, it's time to try a toilet snake or call an expert.
Start slow and add force as needed. Several gentle pumps will usually work better than a couple of hard pushes. If your blockage is going to come out, it should happen in less than 10 minutes.
If the water level is too low, you may end up with frequent clogs because there isn't enough water to properly flush the toilet. If it's too high, your toilet could become dangerously close to overflowing every time you flush.
A clog in the toilet, toilet flange, or drain
If you have a clog anywhere in the system, this will prevent water from fully flushing down the toilet. Depending on where the clog is and how severe it is, you'll either be able to remove it on your own or you'll need help from a professional.
Will a toilet eventually unclog itself? It sure would be nice, but it's fairly rare for a toilet's clog to clear up after a few hours. It can happen, but only in select circumstances.
If your toilet is not flushing properly, take immediate steps before plunging. To keep the toilet from overflowing, either remove the lid of the toilet tank and close the toilet flapper or turn off the water supply to the toilet at the shut-off valve.
STEP 3: Inset your plunger into the toilet at a 45-degree angle, allowing water to enter the plunger head – this will prevent splashing and prevent water from overflowing when the toilet bowl is full. STEP 4: Tilt the plunger upright. This will allow the plunger to seal to the outlet hole.
Once you force out the air, plunge vigorously in and out, maintaining the seal. You'll be forcing water in both directions in the drain, which will effectively loosen most clogs. Stick with it, plunging 15 to 20 times if necessary.
The answer might surprise you: dish soap. Yes, that's right. Dish soap can be your savior when it comes to unclogging toilets quickly and efficiently. Simply pour some dish soap into the clogged toilet bowl and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes.
High water pressure can even harm the mechanisms of your toilet. When water pressure runs in excess for too long, it can cause your toilet's fill valve to break more quickly than expected. A broken fill valve might result in your toilet flushing on its own or even running when you're not using it.
The longer you leave a clog, the more opportunities there are for the clog to get worse. The most water-soluble parts of the clog will dissolve, and the rest will fill in the gaps, making the clog worse. There is also the possibility that human error could come into play.
How to Tell if Your Toilet is Clogged. Signs that your toilet (or sewer line) is blocked include: The water does not flush properly, stays in the bowl for long periods or ends up overflowing over the top of the bowl. When the toilet is flushed, water starts to gurgle up in your shower or bathtub drain.
Pour 1 cup baking soda and 2 cups vinegar into the toilet.
Distilled white vinegar is commonly used, but any type of vinegar will work. The mixture will fizz a great deal. If you don't have baking soda and vinegar on hand, try adding a few squirts of dish soap to the toilet bowl. The soap may help to loosen the clog.
Especially as you really get into plunging and start applying force, you may unintentionally start holding the plunger at an angle. This breaks the seal between the plunger head and the drain. Focus on holding the plunger with the handle straight up and down as you work.
Bleach is not as effective as drain cleaning chemicals but it definitely can unclog toilets in most of the cases.
Hydrogen Peroxide – Mix 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1 quart of water. Pour this mixture down your clogged drain and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. Be especially careful as this chemical can cause burns.
Caustic soda is a nasty chemical that can burn, but it's very effective for unclogging toilets. To use this chemical, you need to get some rubber gloves and eye protection. You can pick the chemical from the local hardware or grocery stores. Pour a ¾ gallon of cold water into a bucket, and add 3 cups of caustic soda.
For preventive drain cleaning, you can use Drano® Max Build-Up Remover in drains, toilets and even septic systems. Apply Drano® Max Build-Up Remover overnight or before you go to work, then wait 6 to 8 hours before running warm (not hot) water down treated drains or flushing treated toilets.