How to Fix an Overflowing Toilet: Expert-Approved Tips

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Four easy ways to fix an overflowing toilet, with or without a plunger
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A clogged toilet is a hassle, but you can often fix the clog on your own. Make use of the rubber flapper in the toilet’s tank to prevent the water from overflowing. You may then be able to clear the clog right away with hot water, a plunger, or an auger. For deep clogs you can’t fix easily, consider calling a plumber to have them take care of the problem without damage to your toilet. To help navigate this process and fix your toilet woes, we consulted James Schuelke, a licensed plumber and leak detection expert.

How to Fix an Overflowing Toilet

  1. Close the supply line valve to shut the water off if it isn’t stopping.
  2. Run a plunger under hot water for 2 minutes.
  3. Plunge the toilet 15-20 times to clear the clog.
  4. If the plunger doesn’t clear the blockage, use a drain auger to snake the pipe.
  5. If your toilet won’t stop filling, replace the flapper and/or fill valve in the tank.
  6. If you can’t remove the clog or stop the overflowing, contact a professional plumber.
Section 1 of 6:

How to Stop the Water

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  1. Schuelke says, “The supply valve is directly below the toilet tank. It usually comes out of the wall or floor and a supply line connects it to the tank. Turn this valve to the right, clockwise. And then when that valve is off, give it a little bit of a snug to the right when it stops. You always want to go maybe a quarter turn more to make sure that it's completely off.” [1]
    • In the odd event that the water doesn’t shut off for some reason (or if you can’t find the valve), shut off the water to your home. Go to your basement or the back of your home and locate the valve in between your water meter and the outside of your home. Close this valve to shut off water to your entire home.
    • If the water level is high but your toilet isn’t actually overflowing, you don’t need to shut the water off.
  2. If you shut the water off mid-overflow, you’ve probably got a bowl full of water splashing around. Remove some of the water to make unclogging the tank less of a headache. Schuelke explains, “Take a wet shop vac and vacuum the remaining water.” If you don’t have a wet shop vac, he says you can just use a bucket to transfer the water to the tub or sink. [2]
    • You don’t need to drain the bowl completely, so don’t worry about getting every drop of water out. Just remove enough of the water that you won’t make a mess by plunging or working on your toilet.
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Section 2 of 6:

Unclogging with a Plunger

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  1. Turn the hot water in your sink, then let the rubber, suction cup end of the plunger soak in it. This loosens the rubber so it fits better over the toilet’s opening. You will get more suction powder when you use it. [3]
    • Be sure to use a funnel plunger . This type of plunger has a rubber ring hanging down from the suction cup.
    • Sink plungers have no rubber flange on the bell end. This type of plunger may still work, but it isn’t as effective as funnel plungers.
    • When to use a plunger: If you have access to a plunger, this is the best way to clear a traditional clog.
  2. Put the rubber end of the plunger in the toilet bowl. If your plunger has a flange, the flange piece fits directly into the hole. Push the plunger down slightly to stick it in place. You want the plunger’s bell end to create a nice seal over the hole. [4]
    • You can test the seal by lifting the plunger. It will feel stuck in place at first, releasing air once it pops off.
  3. The air in the plunger’s bell end can cause an unpleasant amount of water to splash back at you! Avoid this by releasing the air before operating the plunger. Push the plunger down once, then pull it back up. [5]
    • Once the air is released, you can safely use the plunger without the risk of serious splashback.
  4. Work at a fairly rapid pace to keep water flowing around the clog. Push the plunger down hard to send water into the pipes, then pull it back with the same force to draw the water back out. Avoid lifting the plunger off of the exit hole after each thrust. [6]
    • Moving the water into and out of the drainage pipe with equal force increases the chances of the clog breaking up.
    • Schuelke says that if you don't have a plunger, you can instead use a toilet brush you'd normally clean with. [7]
  5. Plunge the toilet at a constant pace for most of the time. Every few strokes, push the plunger down with as much force as you can muster without breaking the seal over the exit hole. This will push more water into the drainage pipe. Afterward, go back to plunging at an even pace once again. [8]
    • The extra force may dislodge the clog or at least weaken it to make steady plunging more effective.
  6. Water has to be in the bowl in order for plunging to be effective. You can flush the toilet or open the flapper in the tank to refill the bowl. The clog may even disperse as you add the water.
  7. You may need to go through a few rounds of plunging to fix your toilet. Plunge the toilet about 15 to 20 times each time, adding more water as needed to fill the bowl. Be patient to avoid splashing water as you work.
    • If you don’t seem to be making progress after regular plunging, you may need an auger or a professional plumber.
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Section 3 of 6:

Using Soap and Hot Water

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  1. The lid will be behind the toilet bowl, on top of the water tank. Accessing the water tank allows you to stop the water flow, so you no longer have to wait and hope the water level stops short of the toilet's rim. Lift the lid up with both hands and gently place it on the ground somewhere out of your way.
    • Be careful, since the lid can be heavy and may break if you drop it.
    • When to use soap and hot water: If you don’t have a plunger or snake drain, soap and hot water should help you out in a pinch. This is also the best option if you want to put a minimum amount of strain on your pipes.
  2. Liquid dish soap is the most effective soap you can use. In an emergency, like when you're stuck in the bathroom at a friend's party, you can also try hand soap or shampoo. Add the soap directly to the water so it can lubricate and break down the clog. [9]
  3. You may wish to get water from the tap if you are unable to heat water on the stove. The water needs to be hot, not boiling, so it shouldn't be bubbling. Pour the water into the bowl from about waist height. The heat can help melt clogs caused by organic material. [10]
    • Boiling water can crack porcelain, so avoid it at all costs!
    • In an emergency, you can empty out a trash can, then use it to carry water to the toilet.
  4. If you can, wait the full 30 minutes to give the soap and water plenty of time to do their work. If the soap and hot water are working, the water level should begin to lower in the toilet bowl. [11]
    • The water may not drain. Check how high the water level is in the bowl to see if you have room to try the treatment again.
  5. If you are sure the toilet won’t flood your bathroom, pour more soap into the bowl. Heat up more water, then add it to the bowl as well. You can do this several times as long as you have room in the bowl.
    • If the water looks like it’s about to overflow, stop and consider trying a different treatment.
    • If the water is about to overflow and you don’t want to try something else yet, wait. The water level may go down over time.
  6. Flushing forces the water down into the pipes, which may wash away the clog if the soap and water loosened it. Be careful when doing this, since the toilet will be close to flooding if the water didn't drain at all. Keep the lid off the tank so you can access the water controls.
    • If the toilet seems likely to overflow, you may want to avoid flushing. Instead, wait and see if the water level drops or try using a plunger.
  7. Sometimes when you flush the toilet, the clog will stay in place. You can stop the water from flowing by locating the flapper inside the toilet’s tank. It is a rubber valve at the bottom of the tank and is usually colored red or black. Push it down so it fits snugly in the hole at the bottom of the tank. [12]
    • The flapper will most likely have a metal chain attached to it. Pull on the chain to lift or lower the flapper.
    • The water inside the tank is clean, so you don’t have to worry about protecting your hands.
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Section 4 of 6:

Snaking Your Drain

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  1. The drain auger (aka “snake”) will have a handle on 1 end and a corkscrew on the other end. The corkscrew end is the part that goes in the toilet. Lower it into the exit hole, pushing it as far as it will go. [13]
    • Any type of plumbing snake works, but the best type to get is an auger. It is designed for toilets and doesn’t scratch porcelain.
    • When to snake your drain with an auger: If you’ve already tried plunging or using soap and water and the water still won’t drain, use an auger.
  2. Hold the snake steady with 1 hand. Use your other hand to spin the auger’s handle clockwise. This extends the auger’s wire end so it either breaks the clog or latches onto it. Crank the handle until you cannot extend the snake any further. [14]
    • If your snake doesn’t have a crank, rotate it by hand to push it into the clog.
  3. If the clog was caused by a cloth, toy, or another object, the snake may drag it out the pipe. It may also bring back some waste or toilet paper if those were responsible for the clog. At least you can look at the end of the wire to see if it made contact with the clog. [15]
    • If the wire is clean and empty, it may not have reached the clog. Lower it back into the hole slowly to make sure it goes down the drain.
  4. Move the wire end of the snake to your sink. Turn on the hot water to rinse the snake and wash it off with disinfecting soap. Finish drying it off with a paper towel.
  5. Put your plunger over the toilet’s drainage exit. If there is no water in the toilet, you will need to flush the toilet or open the flapper to add some. Make sure the plunger fits over the whole, creating a good seal before you begin using it. [16]
    • The plunger should be able to force water down the pipe, lowering the water level in the bowl as it breaks up any clogs still in the pipe.
    • If the water completely drains from the bowl, plunging is optional. However, plunging 2 to 5 times is recommended to force out any clogging material still lingering in the pipes.
  6. Give the toilet a good flush to make sure it works correctly. You may need to do this a couple of times before the water drains normally. Any remaining material from the clog will likely be swept away as the water flows.
    • If the toilet is still clogged, try snaking the drain and plunging again.
    • If you can’t clear the clog at all, it may be deeper in the drain. You will have to call a plumber.
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Section 5 of 6:

Fixing the Underlying Issue

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  1. Schuelke explains that once your clog has been dealt with, you may still need to address the toilet’s water issue. A clog on its own shouldn’t cause overflowing, so the odds are high you still have some work to do. Turn the supply valve counterclockwise all the way to open the water back up and see what happens. [17]
    • If the tank fills like normal and then the water automatically shuts off you’re good to go. You were just unlucky with the timing of the clog.
    • If the tank begins to overflow again , close the supply valve again. You have an issue with your toilet’s flapper or fill valve and the tank will just keep filling until it overflows again.
  2. Take the lid off of your toilet and set it aside somewhere safe. Then, look at the rubber flange covering the drain at the bottom of the tank (called a flapper). If it appears damaged, you can see it opening and closing on its own, or water is obviously flowing through the edges, replace the flapper . [18]
    • Purchase a replacement flapper that matches the style of the old flapper and fits the diameter of your drain pipe.
    • Shut off the supply valve, flush the toilet to empty the water, and unhook the old flapper. Connect the new flapper to the handle assembly and you’re good!
  3. If your toilet’s flapper is fine, the fill valve or float are to blame. Since these components are sold together in kits and diagnosing the individual problem is a pain, just replace the entire assembly . [19]
    • Shut the supply valve off and flush the toilet. Use a rag or towel to soak up water at the bottom of the tank. Then, unscrew the nut holding the fill valve in place. Remove it and follow the instructions on your new kit to install the new fill valve and float.
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Section 6 of 6:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. If your toilet clogs and overflows a lot, it could mean a few things. If you’re using a ton of toilet paper, you’re flushing feminine hygiene products, you use flushable wipes, or you use the toilet like a garbage can, you’re likely causing the clogs—the toilet should only be for human waste and toilet paper. If you aren’t flushing inappropriate things, it’s a sign you’ve likely got a deeper clog and need to call a plumber. [20]
    • Despite the name, flushable wipes aren’t actually flushable—they don’t decompose in your pipes like toilet paper. Never flush them in the toilet if you use them.
  2. You need two things to happen for a toilet to overflow: you must have a clog and your toilet flapper or fill valve must be broken (or stuck). A clog alone won’t cause a toilet to overflow usually; the water level may rise as the tank has nowhere to go, but the water supply should cut off once the tank refills. [21]
    • If you have a septic tank, your toilet may overflow if the septic tank is full and needs to be emptied.
  3. If the problem appears again, you can’t get the clog to clear, or you can’t repair the fill valve or flapper, call a pro. Plumbers shouldn’t charge more than a few hundred dollars to clear a simple clog and/or fix a toilet tank component. [22]
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Join the Discussion...

I can't call a plumber but my toilet won't unclog. What can I do?
WikiSealChaser638
39
WikiSealChaser638
I’m in a rough spot. I have a seriously clogged toilet and I really don’t want my landlord to know. I can't afford a plumber either, so I’m... Read More
WikiMistWhisperer229
WikiMistWhisperer229
Vinegar and baking soda shouldn’t harm the pipes, but that’s also probably not the best option here. Let’s start with the simplest solution... Read More
WikiBandicootJammer750
WikiBandicootJammer750
Dish soap and hot water worked for me! Pour dish soap (or shampoo if you don't have dish soap) down the toilet and then pour hot water down the t... Read More
See all 3 Replies and
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I unclog a toilet if I don't have a plunger?
    James Schuelke
    Professional Plumber
    James Schuelke, along with his twin brother David, is the co-owner of the Twin Home Experts, a licensed plumbing, leak detection, and mold inspection company based in Los Angeles, California. James has over 32 years of home service and business plumbing experience and has expanded the Twin Home Experts to Phoenix, Arizona and the Pacific Northwest.
    James Schuelke
    Professional Plumber
    Expert Answer
    You can always use your toilet cleaning brush. Just move it back and forth in the toilet drain like you would a plunger.
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      Warnings

      • If you cannot clear a clog, hire a plumber to avoid damage to the plumbing and to get your toilet working quickly.
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      References

      1. ↑ James Schuelke. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview. 1 October 2019.
      2. ↑ James Schuelke. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview. 1 October 2019.
      3. ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/how-to-unclog-a-toilet/
      4. ↑ https://www.networx.com/article/5-ingenious-ways-to-unclog-a-toilet
      5. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-use-a-plunger/
      6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-use-a-plunger/
      7. ↑ James Schuelke. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview. 1 October 2019.
      8. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-use-a-plunger/
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/no-plunger-needed-7-easier-ways-to-clear-a-clog-49465#unclogging-a-toilet-with-dish-soap
      1. ↑ https://www.digitaltrends.com/home/how-to-unclog-a-toilet/2/
      2. ↑ https://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/blogs/how-unclog-toilet-without-plunger
      3. ↑ https://www.networx.com/article/5-ingenious-ways-to-unclog-a-toilet
      4. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-snake-a-drain/
      5. ↑ https://www.networx.com/article/5-ingenious-ways-to-unclog-a-toilet
      6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-snake-a-drain/
      7. ↑ https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/how-to-unclog-a-toilet/
      8. ↑ James Schuelke. Professional Plumber. Expert Interview. 1 October 2019.
      9. ↑ https://pinellas.gov/solving-the-mystery-of-the-leaky-flapper/
      10. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-replace-toilet-fill-valve/
      11. ↑ https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/08/20/why-you-probably-shouldnt-flush-flushable-wipes/
      12. ↑ https://www.monkeywrenchplumbers.com/toilet-backing-up/
      13. ↑ https://www.forbes.com/home-improvement/plumbing/toilet-repair-plumbing-cost/

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