4 Possible Causes for Your Toilet Overflow in Your Lanoka Harbor Home

3/29/2023 (Permalink)

Sewage backups and dark water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly deposits – these damages also introduce harmful microorganisms into a structure.

Imagine coming home from a day at work in the late afternoon in the middle of winter. You are going about your regular routine and everything seems normal until you open your front door. All of the sudden your feet are soaking wet and you see water flowing out of your electrical sockets and light fixtures. This was a shocking reality for this Lanoka Harbor resident.

Our SERVPRO of Jackson/Lacey office received this call for emergency cleanup and we dispatched a crew within the hour to begin the restoration process. We learned that the toilet on the third floor was running for approximately five hours. It had affected every level of the home, from the third flour all the way to the basement.

There can be many reasons for a toilet overflow to occur. Listed here are the four most common causes and how you can help prevent water damage from happening to your home:

1. Clogged Pipes: A clog within the toilet or in nearby pipes will prevent water from draining when you attempt to flush it. Using too much toilet paper is the most common cause of this. Always have a plunger readily available to you and be cautious of what you’re flushing. If you cannot get the clog out yourself, shut off your water supply and contact a professional.
2. Blocked Vents: A plumbing vent is a pipe that connects all plumbing fixtures and runs through the roof of your home. It releases air into your pipes to replace the air that goes down into the drain every time you flush. If it gets clogged with debris it’ll eventually stop draining, or drain slowly. If you notice bubbling sounds or bad smells when you flush your toilet, it’s time to contact a professional to clean your vents. It can create a suction that can damage your pipes and lead to water damage in your home.
3. Sewage Issues: The pipe that connects from your home to the main sewer line can become blocked by debris in your yard. If you flush objects like wet wipes or paper towels it can create a clog over time. A clogged sewer line can cause a flooded basement or an overflowing toilet. If you shut off your water and the water is still overflowing, there could be a clog in a nearby city sewer line. Contact your local sewer department and ask them to check for any issues before calling
4. A Full Septic Tank: Septic tanks store waste and release excess water into the soil around them. If your septic tank is full, or there is another reason causing the water to be unable to escape, your toilet will overflow. Regular maintenance should be scheduled for your septic system and all your plumbing. 

SERVPRO of Jackson/Lacey provides emergency biohazard and contaminated water cleanup restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We understand how imperative it is to act as quickly as possible when dealing with this type of situation. There is nothing our team of professionals can’t handle. If you find your home has been damaged like this Lanoka Harbor resident did, call us today at 732-523-4986.