WC overflowing, water drainage problem

WC overflowing is usually a sign of poor water drainage. Update on the causes and solutions to this problem of water drainage.

How to unclog a toilet

Toilets always get clogged at the worst times, and you think about how to unclog a toilet when nothing works. Fortunately, you can dislodge most plugs yourself without paying a plumber. You only need a good suction cup or a homemade drain cleaner with hot water, baking soda, and vinegar. A snake driven into the duct or a wet/dry vacuum will do for deeper plugs.

Prevent your toilet from overflowing. If the water does not drain properly when you flush the toilet, avoid flushing it again. There is only a risk that water will collect more in the bowl. Instead, lift the tank cover and close the water inlet valve to prevent water from flowing into the bowl.

The water inlet valve looks like a circular plug attached to a chain. The water in the tank is not dirty, so you can use your hands to close the valve. Prepare the bathroom. Place newspapers or paper towels on the floor to absorb the liquid in case of splashes. Cleaning will be easier later. Also, turn on a fan or open a window to reduce strong odors. If the problem is serious, put on rubber gloves. The toilets are unsanitary, but a good pair of rubber housekeeping gloves will protect you from the germs inside. Wear gloves that reach up to your elbows.

Why is the WC overflowing?

The toilet overflow is very unpleasant. This phenomenon mainly indicates a problem to be taken seriously: an obstruction in the piping. It is then necessary to act very quickly, and besides, it is impossible to ignore this problem, both in terms of daily comfort and the nauseating odors that emerge. To find the best solution for the situation, it is important to identify the causes.

Clogged toilet: the most common causes

It is useful to know the causes of WC overflowing to remedy the situation and prevent the problem from recurring. Most of the time, the problem is with the toilet paper and/or wipes used. These are either too thick or too abundant, and sometimes, toilet blocks or feminine hygiene products clog the pipes.

It is also possible that the obstruction is outside the house. The cesspool (or sump) may be full and thus need to be emptied. Or, it may be the septic tank that no longer functions correctly, in particular, because of the residues’ bad decomposition. Here, a professional plumber should be urgently called upon to diagnose the problem and remedy it.

How do you react to WC overflowing?

The first reaction is always to flush the toilet. Attention, this gesture must be carried out only once in the event that the water does not drain. Above all, do not go out of your way because the bowl will only fill up even more until it overflows. Various solutions are possible to solve this problem. One can, in particular, use a suction cup, a ferret (manual or electric), or a pump unblocker to get rid of the plug. Be careful; avoiding chemicals that are too aggressive and can damage the piping is preferable. Worse yet, they can encourage new blockages to appear, only worsening the situation.

If using the suction cup or the ferret did not solve the problem, it is better not to insist and call a plumber. He will establish a diagnosis and provide a precise estimate for solving the problem.

Precautions to be taken

Once the problem is resolved, various measures must be taken. First, you must limit the amount of paper used or opt for less thick paper for the plumbing problem. Then, the toilet should be maintained regularly. Finally, if children are in the house, it is wise to keep an eye on them, ensuring they do not throw anything into the bowl (toy, pen, etc.).

Also wear old clothes, just in case.

See if you can dislodge the clog. If you see the clog, reach out and get it out of the toilet if possible. If you can’t do it but know the problem is caused by an object (like a toy), skip this step and go straight to another method.