Have you ever experienced a situation where the water level in your toilet bowl keeps rising after flushing and doesn’t seem to stop? It can be a frustrating and alarming experience. Do you know what to do in such a situation? What can you do is the real question! The fact of the matter is if your toilet is about to strew water all about your bathroom floor, there’s not really much you can do. But don’t worry; there are steps you can take to properly deal with the aftermath. So, follow these instructions from Narrow Path Plumbing to get it taken care of the right way. 

One: Search for the Water Shut Off Valve & Turn It Off 

In the moment of realizing your toilet water is rising and won’t stop, it can feel a little overwhelming. While you can’t stop the water that is already flowing over your toilet bowl, you can stop the water at its source. So, quickly look for the shut-off valve behind the toilet and turn it clockwise to stop the water supply. If you are not familiar with what it looks like, the shut-off valve is usually oval or football-shaped. Once you have turned it off, keep in mind that you do not want to flush the toilet again until the issue is resolved entirely. 

Two: Search for the Rubber Flapper & Ensure It’s Closed 

After turning off the toilet’s water supply, open the tank located at the back of the toilet. Then look for a rubber circle inside the tank that should be placed over the tank’s drain. This rubber piece works as a seal to prevent water from flowing into the toilet unless the flush lever is activated. You should find the rubber seal attached to the end of a metal lever or chain that connects to the flush handle. To ensure that the seal is tight, gently push the rubber seal downwards. 

Three: Search for the Float Cup & Secure It    

We are making great progress, but let’s not stop here! As added assurance that the water is stopped from once again filling up the tank, find the float cup (or float ball) inside the tank. Its purpose is to control the water level. By immobilizing the float from moving, it will definitely halt the further flow of water. 

Four: Cleanup TIME

Now, after successfully stopping the water flow, it’s time for clean up! Begin by removing the excess water from the toilet bowl. Of course, this will have to be done manually, given the situation. This step is crucial as you don’t want to face a similar issue again once the toilet starts functioning correctly. So, emptying the problem area of the excess water is the best place to start.  

First off, if there is any waste or debris in the water, please be cautious while cleaning it up. Remember, safety and hygiene are important. So, we recommend wearing gloves if available. First, pick up any solids or waste and put them into a trash bag carefully. Don’t forget to scan the floor as well! Next, you can remove the excess water from the bowl with a bucket or container of some sort. Take your time and scoop it out slowly. Then, pour it directly into the bathtub or sink. Remember, no debris or waste should be present, or this could cause clogs in the sink or tub – not recommended! 

Now, onto the floors! Water damage is a real thing, so this is something you will want to clean up as soon as possible. If you have a wet vacuum, now would be the perfect time to use it. Otherwise, for solid floors, you can use old towels, rags, a mop, or paper towels to sop up the spill. But if the spill has spread to a carpeted space, lay towels flat over the carpet and put a heavy object on top to allow the towels to soak up the water. After the towels have had enough time to soak up the water, make sure you clean the carpet accordingly. On top of that, once the floors are taken care of, you will want to disinfect the flooring and the entire area that came in contact with toilet water.  

Five: Take Care of the Clogged Toilet: 

Phew! We’re almost done, but we still have to take care of that pesky clog so this doesn’t happen again! After everything is said and done with cleanup, go ahead and use a plunger to unclog the toilet. If the clog is resolved and the toilet drains, then you’re good to go. Just make sure to turn the water supply back on and readjust everything back in the tank. However, if the problem persists despite your multiple attempts, it may be time to call in the professionals. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance! 

Are you in need of a local, reliable plumber? Call Narrow Path Plumbing today at (937) 623-2619, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!  

(937) 623-2619
Jennifer Newsome
Jennifer Newsome
01/11/2021
We had a leak in our basement on a Sunday evening and Narrow Path Plumbing sent out Terry ASAP! He quickly found the leak, repaired it, checked all faucets to ensure good pressure. He cleaned everything up and it was like he was never even here. I appreciate this company sending out someone late on a Sunday and also doing such a great, fast and professional job!! Great job Narrow Path Plumbing!!
Mad MO
Mad MO
22/10/2021
Have used Narrow Path for multiple jobs on multiple properties. They have always been extremely informative, punctual, and reasonably priced. I highly recommend them.
Vicki Singer
Vicki Singer
05/10/2021
Mike & Terry remodeled 2 of my bathrooms along with the drywall finisher and did a beautiful job. Had multiple leaky shut off valves replaced & a kitchen faucet replaced. Had lines run so I could move my laundry up out of my basement & poor Mike had to run wiring through my attic on a 90 degree day. I was so worried he would have a heat stroke but he never complained once. Also had a whole house filter replaced & a valve replaced on my hot water tank by another plumber whose name I can't remember but they all were polite and did professional work.
Michael Brice Keller
Michael Brice Keller
10/09/2021
The whole team was great. Joe, Glenn, Justin, Mike and Terry. Thanks for an awesome new bathroom addition
David Brown
David Brown
09/09/2021
Josh S cleaned a tankless hot water system, repaired two toilets, and unclogged a drain in a little over an hour. He was professional, listened carefully, and was very personable. We have never had a bad experience with Narrow Path, and we highly recommend them.
Patricia Mullins
Patricia Mullins
03/09/2021
Toilet leaking from the tank. Not good 😪. Enter Tom and Drey. I love these guys. New toilet replaced and new shut off valve. Everything is perfect now. These guys are a 10 star team. Polite, professional, clean and neat. Same day service at a reasonable price. Can't beat them. Highly recommend. Give these boys a bonus!!