Plumbing failures in the home are probably one of the most worried about events that can happen. The plumbing system is used so many times per day by everyone in the home, that if there is a plumbing failure, everyone in the house feels it.
This is true for the toilet more than most other parts of the plumbing system. When there is a failure with the toilet, not only is there nowhere in the house for anyone to go to the bathroom, but most of the time a plumbing failure in the toilet will mean a big mess for you to clean up.
Here are some steps that you can follow:
- First, you need to know where the shut-off valve is for the toilet. In most homes, it is located on the back of the toilet near the floor or the wall. The shut-off valve turns the water off to the toilet tank, and the tank then fills the toilet bowl, which is where the overflow happens. So, turning off the valve should be the first step.
- Sometimes, the valve behind the toilet won’t turn because it is stuck or corroded. If you are unable to turn the water off from the main source, you need to make sure to stop the flow of water from the toilet tank. To do this, take the lid off of the toilet tank and make sure that the flapper at the bottom of the tank is laying flat and creating a seal.
- Once the water has stopped flowing to the toilet bowl, you can get your plunger out and try to clear the clog. To use a plunger to clear the clog you have to make sure to get a good seal with the flange of the plunger to the toilet drain. Then, you push and pull the handle of the plunger so that you are shoving water into the drain and then pulling it out. This motion will move the clog back and forth until it clears.
There are few adults that have not had the occasion to unclog a toilet. And, most bathroom shave the requisite plunger next to the toilet for the just in case moment. But, not everyone knows exactly the steps that need to be taken to contain a toilet failure. Follow these tips and minimize the damage that is done to your flooring.