An overflowing toilet is one of the plumbing problems that tend to catch Indianapolis homeowners off guard. If not fixed quickly, it could damage your bathroom or the ceiling below. For you to fix the problem or prevent it from happening, you’ll need to understand why it occurs. Read on to find out what causes a toilet to overflow.
Clogged Drain
A blocked or clogged drain prevents water from escaping your home when you flush your toilet. As a result, water overflows up through the toilet bowl and could be what causes a toilet to overflow. You can take care of a simple clogusing a plunger. If you can’t unclog the toilet yourself, contact a professional.
Blocked Vents
External air moves into your plumbing system through a vertical pipe known as a plumbing vent. It replaces the air that flows down your drain whenever someone flushes the toilet. Typically, it has an outlet on your roof. When the vent pipe is clogged with debris, your toilet fails to flush properly, which could be what causes a toilet to overflow.
Does your toilet clog more frequently? A blocked vent pipe may be the main culprit. Additionally, you may also notice a bad smell or bubbling sound after every flush. Removing debris from the plumbing vent properly requires specialized equipment. It’s best to have a professional fix the problem by safely cleaning out the vents.
Sewer Problems
A sewer-line clog can lead to an overflowing toilet or a flooded basement. One way to know if your sewer line is to blame for the overflow is to shut off your home’s water supply. If the toilet continues to overflow, you have a sewage backup. You should call in a plumbing professional immediately to deal with this serious issue.
You could have a similar problem if your septic tank is full. You’ll need to call a plumbing company to flush out your system.
To prevent future overflows, use your toilet as intended by avoiding flushing anything apart from human waste and toilet paper. In the event of a problematic clog, contact a plumber before it’s too late. If you have any more questions about what causes a toilet to overflow, contact Mowery Heating, Cooling and Plumbing. We’ve proudly served residents in the Indianapolis area with a variety of HVAC and plumbing services.
