Learning About Building Repair Techniques

It never seems to fail that plumbing problems strike when they are most inconvenient. If your toilet is backing up and overflowing and its a weekend or holiday, you may think you're out of luck. Think again! The following guide will walk you through what to do so you can put your toilet woes behind you.

#1: Stop the flow

The first order of business is to stop the flow before you have water streaming over the rim of the bowl. For a minor clog, there's no need to shut off the water. Simply remove the lid from the tank and push down on the valve so water quits flowing into the bowl. Then, lift the float ball so the tank stops refilling. Hold this configuration for a few minutes to see if the bowl will empty as it's supposed to after a flush. Sometimes, for a minor clog, simply giving a bit more time for the excess water to clear, then plunging the bowl to finish releasing the clog, is enough to solve the problem.

#2: Shut it down

If the bowl doesn't drain after you complete step #1, you need to shut off water to the toilet completely so the bowl doesn't overflow. The water shut-off valve for the toilet is typically located on the floor or wall right behind the fixture. Turn the valve to the left until the water is shut off completely. The bowl may not yet be draining, but at least you don't have to worry about flooding the bathroom with dirty toilet water anymore.

#3: Grab a plunger

You can often dislodge small clogs on your own with a flange plunger. This plunger style is made specifically for use in toilets because the flange can create an airtight seal around the odd-shaped toilet drain. If the bowl is too full to use a plunger, you may need to bail it out first with a bucket or bowl. Then, fit the flange of the plunger tightly around the drain and push down very firmly two or three times. Lift the plunger and see if the bowl finishes draining or if the clog floats into the bowl. If this happens, try flushing the toilet. You won't get a full flush with no water flowing, but the water being held in the tank should come into the bowl and drain if the clog is cleared. This means you can turn the water on and continue with your weekend.

If the clog won't clear after plunging, the issue is likely more severe. Call anemergency plumbing service to get your toilet functioning again -- even if it is after hours.