Have you ever been in a situation where after using the bathroom, you flush the toilet, but the toilet doesn’t drain properly, and the water level doesn’t stop rising? What should you do in such a situation? Unfortunately, if you’re in the chaos of the moment with toilet water spilling onto your bathroom floor, there’s not much you can do to stop it altogether. But there are a few things that are handy to know at the moment. On top of that, knowing how to deal with the aftermath of a flooded toilet is just as important. So, without further ado, follow these tips and tricks from your team at Upper Arlington Plumbing & Drain to help you through and guide you through the process.
One – Turn Off the Toilet’s Water Valve:
Although water may have already spilled onto your bathroom floor, it’s not too late to shut the water off at its source. The shut-off valve looks like a football-shaped knob, usually located at the back of the toilet. Once you find it, turn it clockwise to shut it off. Just don’t flush the toilet until the issue is fixed because it’s still clogged and will create another mess if flushed beforehand.
Two – Seal the Rubber Flapper in the Tank:
As an extra way to ensure that the water supply to the toilet is shut off, open the tank in the back of the toilet and look for a rubber piece over the tank drain. This rubber piece is placed there to prevent water from running into the toilet. You can find it attached to a metal lever or chain that connects to the flush handle. Push the rubber seal downward gently as an added assurance that the water is sealed off.
Three – Secure the Float Cup (or Float Ball):
Another way to make sure the water flow is cut off is to locate the float cup or float ball inside the tank. You can prevent the tank from filling again by immobilizing this float. Remember, this isn’t mandatory; it’s just an additional step to ensure everything is secure.
Four – Remove the Excess Water and Start to Clean Up:
After successfully stopping the water flow, congratulations on a job well done! However, the cleanup process still needs to be completed. The excess water will need to be taken care of first and foremost, as you don’t want more water accidentally flowing or splashing onto the ground or other areas once the cleanup process is initiated. Start by removing the overflow from the toilet bowl. If there is waste or debris in the overflow (which can happen, given the situation), make sure to be cautious while cleaning it up. Always prioritize safety and hygiene! It is strongly recommended that you wear gloves if possible. First, pick up any solid materials or waste and place them in the garbage very carefully. Then use a bucket or container to scoop out the excess water from the toilet bowl and pour it into the bathtub or sink.
Now onto the floors! It’s important to avoid water damage to your floors. So, cleaning them up as soon as possible is crucial. If you have a wet vacuum, you can use it to clean up the water. If your floors are hard, you can use old towels, rags, or a mop to clean up the spill. But if the water has reached your carpeted area, a good approach would be to lay towels over the wet carpet and put a heavy object on top of them, giving them sufficient time to really soak up as much water as possible. After everything is soaked up, you will want to clean all flooring (carpet and hardwood) accordingly. Afterward, make sure to disinfect all affected areas that the toilet water touched. (I.e., the base of the toilet, bathtub, baseboards, base of the counter and cabinets, and trashcan.)
Five – Tackle the Clog:
Most of the hard work is done, but we still need to unclog the toilet. After all, you definitely don’t want this to happen again right after you get everything cleaned up! So, grab the plunger and place it over the drain in the toilet bowl. Ensure that the plunger is immersed in water, then use the plunging motion to get rid of the clog. At this point, your toilet should now be draining again, but if it doesn’t, there may be a larger issue at hand. In this case, this is a good indication to call a professional plumber. However, if your toilet is indeed working once again – voila! You did it! Remember to turn the water valve back on and readjust everything back into its original place before wrapping up.
Call Upper Arlington Plumbing & Drain today at (614) 363-1924, or schedule an appointment by clicking here!