How to Stop a Toilet from Overflowing

So you clogged your boyfriend's toilet, it's about to overflow, and you Googled your emergency question. Lucky for you, we know how to stop a toilet from overflowing, and we're not gonna waste your time; we'll get right to it:

What to Do When a Toilet Overflows

how to stop water in toilet from overflowing
  1. Locate the shut-off valve.
  2. Turn the valve clockwise to the closed position.
  3. If shutting the valve doesn't do the trick, then reach inside the tank and press down on the flapper to create a seal. Hopefully, that does the trick until you can unclog the toilet and flush everything down.
  4. If pressing down on the flapper doesn't do the trick, try manually raising the float ball/cup on the fill valve.

If the flapper/float tricks don't work either, you're going to need to shut off the main water supply to the house (and fast). A broken shut-off valve is more common than you might think. They sit open for months or years without any movement, and they deteriorate. Test them and replace them as needed so you can avoid an emergency like this.

Now that the toilet is no longer overflowing, you're still going to need to know how to plunge a toilet, or maybe you need to know what to do if you don't have a plunger.

Save on Toilets, Parts, and Accessories

Disaster averted, all because you learned what to do when a toilet overflows. In order to avoid future clogs, maybe try a toilet with a more powerful flush? Or replace some of the existing toilet parts. Whatever you need, you can get it here at PlumbersStock. We offer great prices and trusted name brands. We are leaders in online plumbing supply for good reason. Industry professionals should contact us for special deals when they buy bulk (so can homeowners buying bulk for a remodel). Additionally, you can find other helpful how-to plumbing tutorials.

Related resources:
How to Drain a Toilet
How to Fix a Toilet Tank Leak
Replacing Toilet Supply Lines
How to Snake a Toilet Clog
How to Turn Off Water to Toilet