Steps To Take When a Toilet Overflows

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

Use a “Snake” plumbing tool

Four Steps to Take After a Toilet Overflow

When a toilet overflows at a home in Greenwood Village, CO, it can cause a messy and frustrating situation. A toilet may overflow for several reasons, including objects that clog the toilet itself or a blockage somewhere deeper along the sewer system. Fortunately, there are some simple steps that may be taken to repair the problem before needing to call the sewage company or professionals to repair any sewer damage. Here are four steps to take after a toilet overflow.

1. Clean and Dry the Area

It may seem obvious, but the very first step that may be taken after a toilet overflows is to thoroughly clean up the mess. Using cleaning products may help to ensure that the floor in the bathroom is properly sanitized. Once the area is cleaned, drying the floor and the area around the toilet is also very important to help prevent any mold from growing and to avoid any damage to the floor.

2. Try Using a Toilet Plunger

If a simple blockage is suspected rather than major sewer damage, using a toilet plunger may be helpful to unclog a toilet that has overflowed. A plunger works by pushing air and water through the pipes of the flooded toilet, which may be enough to unclog a blockage.

3. Use a “Snake” Plumbing Tool

If a more substantial problem is happening, a plumbing “snake” may be helpful in clearing a blockage in the drainage system. A snake is a device that is a long wire which is used to unclog an obstruction. This device may be helpful when dealing with clogs that are not particularly severe.

4. Have a Professional Assess the Situation

When a plunger or a snake does not help the messy situation in the lavatory, it may be a good idea to contact professionals to assess and repair any sewer damage. Following these tips may help the toilet and sewer system to be functioning normally again in a short period of time!