How to Prevent an Overflowing Toilet

There’s nothing worse than watching your bathroom flood. Many toilet fixtures are designed to hold all the tank water without flooding, but sometimes they fail. What can you do to stop it from happening? Of course, you should call the professionals in an emergency, but your best bet is to take action before the problem arises. Here’s how:

Keep objects out. Never throw objects in your toilet. Diapers, toys, soap bars, and feminine products are big no-no’s. Also, keep an eye out for your children as they are likely to toss objects in without you knowing. If you’re not looking, water can be filling up!

Avoid faulty plumbing. Make sure your plumbing system is functioning properly upon installation. If plumbing drains are not installed properly, water and waste is not able to wash away and will back up into the pipe. Do you have underground plumbing? Check for tree roots that might have grown into your pipes – this can be a big issue, so call Barker and Sons help!

Clean the toilet. A regular cleaning is an essential part of preventing overflows. Scrub it with liquid detergent to kill bacteria and germs – this can help the waste disintegrate before passing through your drain pipes. And don’t forget the septic tank! Give it a good cleaning every eight to ten years for best prevention.

Don’t flush if it’s clogged. The worst thing you can possibly do is flush a clogged toilet. If you can see an object that’s stuck, removing it may solve the problem immediately. If the object is out of sight, a plunger might do the trick. When all else fails, don’t be afraid to call the professionals for help.

Implementing these guidelines can save you from a homeowner’s nightmare. A little cleaning and precaution is all it takes to lessen your chances of an overflowing toilet. Is your toilet already clogged up? Don’t worry – Barker and Sons is your Orange County plumber available for repairs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give us a call at 714.630.8766 or visit our website for more information.