It’s easy to get stressed and freak out during an emergency. And if the emergency has to do with your toilet, it can be even more upsetting and worrisome. But if you panic, you’re likely to waste time and not make the best decisions. How can you avoid panic when something truly unpleasant is happening, and getting worse by the second, like a toilet overflowing? By having a plan!
We’ll take you through some basics here: what it’s helpful to know before an emergency like this happens, and what steps to take if it does. Read on, and we’ll arm you with the knowledge you need to stay calm in the face of an overflowing toilet.
What to Know About Your Home’s Plumbing
The thing you’re most likely to need to know if a major leak or overflow happens somewhere in your home is how to shut off the water. In general, each fixture such as a sink or shower should have its own shut-off valve. It’s usually at the back of your toilet, on a pipe or water line. It’s probably an oval-shaped knob, which you should turn clockwise to stop the toilet from refilling.
There is also a main water line shut-off that can stop the water to your entire home at the point where the water first enters your building. This is most likely to be the side of your home facing the street, but if you have a well, it will be on the wall closest to that. Often it’s in a basement. Just look for water pipes and find a knob. Turning it clockwise will shut off your whole house’s water supply.
Step 1: Shut the Water Off
When your toilet overflows, your top priority has to be decreasing the risk of major water damage. Shut off the toilet valve. If your toilet doesn’t have one, or it isn’t working, proceed to the whole-house shut-off. It’s a bother to have no running water, but it’s better than having it run all over your floor!
Step 2: Clean the Mess Up
Your next priority should be making sure the water doesn’t soak into your floor and subfloor, and making sure the germs don’t spread. Soak everything up, ideally with old towels or something you can launder with bleach. Then wipe the area down with disinfectant.
Step 3: Plunge
It’s an oldie but a goodie. The best tool for clogged toilets is a plunger! Just make sure you are thrusting down vertically and not at an angle. With a few minutes’ patience and a little luck, you might get this sorted out all by yourself.
Step 4: Seek Help
If you can’t unblock the toilet, you need a plumber. But is it an emergency? If you’ve only got one toilet, or if you’ve had to shut off your entire water supply, yes. Emergency plumbing in Skokie, IL is the way to go. Otherwise, you can wash your hands, put up a sign warning your family not to use this toilet, and schedule an appointment during regular business hours.
For expert plumbing service, contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance!