How to Fix a Toilet That's Overflowing

by Hannah Wahlig
    The likely source of a flooding toilet is a blockage in your plumbing.


    Watching as the water in your toilet slowly rises to the brim can cause a lot of anxiety, but knowing how to handle an overflowing toilet leaves you equipped to manage the tense situation. Toilet overflows are most likely the result of either a blockage or an error in the tank float mechanism that regulates water flow. Once you've stopped the immediate overflow, consider the underlying source of the problem so that you can prevent future occurrences.






    Put on a pair of rubber or disposable gloves.


    Use a small cup or bucket to remove excess water at the brim of the bowl. Pour the water into a sink if it's clean or a plastic bucket if it is dirty. Once the flood is remedied, pour the dirty water back into the toilet and reflush it for safe disposal.


    Align the rubber cup of a toilet plunger over the center of the hole of the toilet bowl. Apply downward pressure slowly at first, gradually increasing the speed and intensity. If a clog has caused the overflow, a plunger will dislodge the mass and allow water to escape through the plumbing.


    Use a toilet auger to fish out foreign objects causing a clog that cannot be retrieved using a plunger. Insert the tube end of the auger as deeply into the toilet hole as possible. Apply gentle pressure on the other end of the auger to release the snaking portion of the auger and turn the auger at the same time. Pull the auger out of the hole if you feel pressure or resistance indicating you've removed the clog.


    Reset the float mechanism so that it sits lower in the tank to prevent the tank portion of the toilet from overflowing. Ensure that the chain attached to the float is not kinked or tangled, or that the float is not caught on a piece of debris or other portion of the toilet.


    Contact a plumber to examine your external plumbing vents if your overflowing is chronic. A blockage in your external vents will cause toilets to overflow from the bowl or the tank.

    Things You Will Need

    • Rubber gloves
    • Toilet plunger
    • Toilet auger


    • If your toilet is prone to clogs, consider switching to a single ply toilet paper.


    • Recurring overflowing of soiled water indicates a sewer backup. If you have a private septic tank, contact a plumbing company to flush your system. Do not handle or live in an area contaminated with sewage.

    About the Author


    Photo Credits

    • Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
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