Why is my toilet overflowing?

 

An overflowing toilet is a relatively common problem that many people have to deal with. However, the frequency of this problem does not mean that it is not a serious situation that needs to be resolved quickly. The water from an overflowing toilet can seep into wooden cabinets, seep into the walls or damage the floorboards, making it easier for mould, mildew and rot to spread throughout your home's infrastructure.

To solve this problem before it grows into a bigger issue, it's important to figure out why the toilet is overflowing so you can take steps to fix the situation yourself or hire a professional plumber. In this guide, you'll learn why the toilet is overflowing and what to do if you find yourself in this situation.

Reasons for an overflowing toilet

There are usually four main reasons for an overflowing toilet. The drain line may be clogged, the vents are blocked, the home's main sewer line is clogged, or, if you have a septic system, the septic tank may be full or clogged, causing sewage to back up into the home.

Blocked drain

The most common reason for a toilet overflowing is a blocked drain. Usually, a person uses the toilet as intended, but tries to flush too much toilet paper down the drain. The excessive amount of toilet paper clumps together and causes a blockage in the drain line, which prevents the water in the toilet bowl from flowing down the drain. If a single toilet does not flush or clogs, there is a good chance that it is a clogged toilet.

However, when you flush, the flush valve in the toilet tank lifts a flap to allow water to flow from the tank into the bowl. The flap remains open until the tank is empty. However, as the water cannot flow into the drain, it collects in the bowl until it overflows. This situation can also be caused by other objects being flushed down the toilet, e.g. napkins, paper towels, cotton wools, wipes or other materials that are not intended to be flushed.

Keep a plunger handy in the bathroom to clear blockages quickly if someone accidentally overfills the toilet with toilet paper. You may also want to invest in a pipe snake that can be inserted into the toilet and fed down the drain to physically break up or pull out the material causing the clog.

Blocked drain pipes

Many people don't realise that drain pipes have vents. While drain lines carry waste and sewage to the sewer system, branched plumbing vent lines run through the roof or out through a side wall. The purpose of these vents is to remove accumulated gases that are produced when the waste decomposes in the pipes.

In addition, fresh air is brought in from outside through the vents to replace the air that is forced down the drain when the toilet is flushed. If the air is not replaced because the air vents are clogged with debris such as leaves or pine needles, the toilet will not function properly and may overflow. Even if the toilet does not overflow when flushed, the lack of air in the pipes can create a vacuum that can damage the plumbing infrastructure. It is advisable to hire a professional who has the necessary specialised equipment to clean the drain pipes.

Blockage in the drain pipes

Your home's infrastructure is not the only area where a problem can occur. The main sewer line leading to the house can also cause the toilet to overflow if the line is clogged or blocked. This problem can occur when people flush items or materials in the home that are not intended to be flushed, such as wet wipes, paper towels, napkins or feminine hygiene products. Some wipes are specifically labelled as flushable, but even these products do not actually break down in the municipal sewage system. To avoid blockages, it is therefore recommended to throw wipes in the bin instead of flushing them.

Call the Emergency Plumber in Somerset. After your call, our customer service sends immediately the right plumber to you. Call us now, 01823475156.