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How To Deal with a Toilet Overflow in Kelowna

Posted in Clogged Drains

A bathroom is one of the most functional rooms in an establishment. Naturally, the one thing that you should check is that your toilet is working well and flushing correctly. But despite regular maintenance, it’s not unusual to encounter a toilet overflow. Our Kelowna plumbers at 911 Plumbing Heating Drainage Ltd. have seen it all and even fixed some serious flooding incidents. The last thing you want is standing in a bathroom and having your feet submerged in filthy water.

However, you can apply some management techniques to keep raw sewage from spilling on your expensive bathroom floor. This way, you can avoid issues associated with a clogged toilet altogether.

Are you interested in learning what professional plumbers do to control an overflowing toilet in Kelowna? Here are the essential tips you can apply whenever you’re faced with this type of plumbing emergency. Let our team help you stay ahead of the curve should you ever need to know how to stop a toilet from overflowing in Kelowna.

What Causes Toilet Overflows?

There are several reasons why a toilet overflows. Some Kelowna homeowners might be guilty of flushing despite suspecting an existing clog in the toilet drain. That’s when a toilet commonly overflows and can potentially flood an entire room. Before we move on to the steps on how to stop a toilet from overflowing, let’s first nail down the common causes (there are more than just one!).

  • Clogged drain: A clogged drain is by far the most probable reason why your toilet overflows. If, after the first flush, water remains in the bowl, do not flush a second time, as you can expect it to fully spill over your toilet bowl, resulting in a mess! But what causes a drain clog in the first place? It’s important to note that soap scum, food waste and the flushing of paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and wet wipes are the most common culprits.
  • Clogged plumbing vent: A plumbing air vent (or vent stack) is responsible for regulating airflow. All plumbing fixtures need a vent pipe to let air through and into the pipes. Otherwise, water won’t be able to move. That’s why it’s important to keep in mind that a gurgling toilet, slow drainage, and sewer gas smells are also common culprits of a blocked vent stack.
  • Malfunctioning overflow tube: Lastly, the issue is in the toilet tank itself. Since there are different tank systems, we recommend that you study yours in more detail to understand how your flush mechanism works. A misaligned overflow tube can potentially send excess water into your toilet tank.
  • Leaking fill valve: A fill valve controls how much water enters your tank. In the event of a leak, it usually results in a running toilet. After each flush, you probably hear how the tank refills itself. Thus, a running toilet means that you’ll hear this process repeating itself without even flushing your toilet.
  • Faulty flapper: Similar to the above, a running toilet can also result from a worn-out flapper, which is the rubber piece that seals the opening between the tank and the bowl. If it’s not sealing properly, water will leak through and initiate a ghost flush.

But what do you do when your toilet overflows? Kelowna homeowners are invited to find out below in the next section.

How to Stop a Toilet from Overflowing

We put together this detailed Kelowna homeowner’s guide to help you prepare for one of the worst-case scenarios—a toilet overflow. Not only does a flood enhance the risk of water damage and mould growth, but it can also compromise the integrity of your walls and floors.

Let’s tackle this common plumbing issue effectively together:

Turn of the Shut-Off Valve

Whenever your toilet overflows in Kelowna, the shut-off valve comes to your primary rescue; stop the water flow at the source using the valve when your toilet overflows. To find the shut-off valve, just follow the pipeline leading to the toilet from your bathroom. Usually, there is a hand crank on that line.

When the toilet clog gets serious, buy some time to try and clear it out by closing the valve. It will turn off your water supply entirely. We advise you to maintain the valve from time to time; keep it lubricated so it does not jam when you require it most.

Keep Area Dry

Once you’ve turned off the shut-off valve, ensure that the area where you’ll be working is dry. Use old towels, cloths, rags, and mops to remove any water. Not only will this reduce the risk of slips and falls, but also prevent water from spreading across the floor. The last thing you want is hidden water damage and spreading mould spores. Keep buckets nearby if you need to lower the water level inside the toilet bowl. Additionally, open the windows to ensure the floor will dry quicker.

Check Inside the Tank

In case you are not able to locate or turn off the shut-off valve, the next thing to do is to check inside the cistern, that is the toilet tank. First, lift the lid on the container and set it aside safely. Check the rubber outset (flapper), which you will find at the bottom of the tank. Reach in and close the flapper if it is open.

If it is closed but water is still flowing, check if your toilet has a float ball. It is a component that floats on the water surface. Its purpose is to keep the water level in check so it does not rise too high. Lift the float ball manually, and the water might shut off.

Also, locate the overflow tube (typically situated in the centre of the tank) and check if it causes the tank to overfill.

If you cannot restrict the water by yourself, call for a professional plumber in Kelowna.

Use the Plunger or Auger

The classic plunger does the job most of the time, as the plumbers say. Once you have stopped the water supply to the toilet, you can try and clear the clog. A plunger with a toilet flange is recommended for this process. Plunging can remove the clog and relieve the overflow. Once the overflow has stopped, plunging away the clog is your best option. However, plunging does not always clear a blockage. Therefore, some homeowners keep a toilet auger, which is a heavy-duty tool with a manual crank. They are ideal should the blockage be deeper in the drain as the flexible cable can go beyond the p-trap or s-trap. The closed-spear tip of an auger can effectively push against the blockage and break it down. If you have not used an auger before, we do not recommend it, as you can easily damage the pipe walls if not careful.

Call The Experts

When all your homely efforts fail, it is time to call for expert assistance. At 911 Plumbing Heating Drainage LTD., we have skilled plumbers who fix toilet issues almost regularly. We are proud to be one of the most trusted plumbing agencies in the country. For the last 15 years, we have been serving the residents of British Columbia and are here for you in the Okanagan Valley.

We are providing superior plumbing solutions to meet your needs, ensuring your plumbing system will serve you for years to come. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our experienced and well-trained professionals.

Why Choose 911 Plumbing Heating Draining Ltd.

  • Fully insured and licensed professionals: Our team is not only local and experienced but they’re also fully insured and licensed. This means that our company carries general liability and worker’s compensation policies, so you, as the homeowner, are protected from any potential risks.
  • Premium customer service: We care about delivering premium customer service at all times from the moment we answer your call up until your service request is completed. We treat our customers and homes with a high level of respect and professionalism.
  • Guaranteed parts & workmanship: Whether you hire us for plumbing repairs or replacements, rest assured that we offer a parts and labour guarantee. Should anything not meet your expectations, we’ll return to make it right.
  • 24-hour emergency service: Whether you experience a water main break in the middle of the night or a sewer backup during a public holiday, we offer our local communities 24/7 plumbing emergency services to restore their peace of mind.

Call Your Kelowna Plumber When Your Toilet Overflows—Exceptional Workmanship Guaranteed!

Taking plumbing matters into your own hands is a great accomplishment. However, if you’re dealing with them for the first time, it helps to hire an experienced professional to gather some basic plumbing knowledge. Each home has a unique design, and therefore, its plumbing structure might also be different. Make use of our experienced plumbing maintenance and inspection services to be ahead of the curve.

Reach out to us at (250) 801-0911 to schedule an appointment and get the toilet repair service you need to restore your home’s balance. We are available 24/7 for any plumbing emergencies that might arise in Kelowna. Stay safe with the local plumbers from 911 Plumbing Heating Drainage Ltd., and take your plumbing to the next level!

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