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Many factors can cause a toilet to overflow, such as clogged drains and sewer lines. While an overflowing toilet can be an unsettling experience, it doesn’t have to cause panic. The plumbing specialists at American Rooter in Watertown, CT, advise homeowners to follow a handful of steps to prevent an overflow from getting out of control and causing water damage.

4 Ways to Handle an Overflowing Toilet

1. Shut Off the Water

clogged drainIf water rises and continues spilling over the rim of your toilet, your first reaction should be to shut off the water valve near the base of your toilet. The valve will turn until the water stops. If your toilet doesn’t have a valve, remove the tank’s lid and pull the float until no water flows through the tank.

2. Clean Up the Overflow

If water has spilled onto the floor, don’t let it stand for long. Soak up the moisture with towels or a mop, and disinfect any areas touched by the water. Too much water can cause damage to your flooring or encourage the growth of mold and mildew if left too long.

3. Eliminate Obvious Blockages

If your toilet itself is clogged, use a plunger or gloved hands to remove as much of the clog as possible. It’s possible your plumbing system has clogged drains or dirty sewer lines, in which case you’ll need to call an experienced plumber who specializes in sewer cleaning to inspect your lines.

4. Do a Test Flush

Once obvious blockages have been cleared, turn the water back on and flush the toilet to test whether it will overflow again. If it does, shut off the water and repeat the above steps. Do not flush it again. Instead, call a drain cleaning specialist such as American Rooter for help.

American Rooter can help homeowners clear clogged drains through drain and sewer cleaning. Call them at (860) 274-7338 to schedule an appointment, or learn more about their services online.

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