A toilet overflow is a common yet stressful household emergency that can lead to significant water damage if not handled properly. Clogged pipes and blockages within sewer lines can lead to toilet overflows and other plumbing failures that cause residential water damage. Prompt remediation is important if homeowners expect to minimize damage and prevent costly repairs.
There are essential steps homeowners must take if their toilets overflow, and depending on the severity of the situation, professional assistance may be necessary. For residential water damage remediation, trust ServiceMaster by SRS to help your home recover from toilet overflows and water damage. We provide homeowners with quick, effective water damage repair services that restore residences.
1: What to Do If My Toilet Overflows
Toilet overflows can be stressful, but it is important to keep calm throughout the cleanup process. Remaining level-headed helps you act quickly and decisively to prevent further damage and begin cleaning the mess. Turn off the water supply using the shut-off valve located near the base of the toilet. If the toilet valve is stuck or missing, remove the tank lid and lift the float to stop the water flow. Use a plunger to clear minor clogs but avoid excessive force to prevent cracking the porcelain. Avoid flushing the toilet again, as this can worsen the overflow and cause additional sewage water to spill into your home.
2: Protect Your Floors and Belongings
Take time to protect your flooring and personal belongings. Toilet overflows can quickly cause water damage that leads to mold growth, destroyed personal property, and severe damage to your flooring. Lay down towels or rags to soak up standing water and prevent it from spreading. Move rugs, bathroom mats, and any nearby items to a dry area, and begin removing excess water with a wet vacuum.
3: Identify the Cause of the Overflow
There are many causes of toilet overflow that homeowners should be aware of. Tree roots can cause blockages in your sewer lines by growing within your sewer lines. Lynnwood is located in an area of the Pacific Northwest that has dense vegetation. This makes tree root invasion a frequent issue for local homeowners.
Older properties may experience plumbing clogs more frequently than their newer counterparts. Outdated plumbing systems can deteriorate and weaken over time, resulting in diminished performance. Corroded or rusted pipes can exacerbate clogs caused by debris accumulation, and cracked pipes will be much more susceptible to tree root intrusion.
4: Clean and Disinfect the Affected Area
Wear protective gear to avoid contact with contaminated water. Sewage water can contain harmful bacteria that can pose a health risk to homeowners. Wear gloves, eye protection, and long sleeves to protect yourself from harmful water damage. Use bleach and water to disinfect your affected area and dispose of any materials that cannot be thoroughly cleaned. Once the area has been properly cleaned and disinfected, open windows or use fans to improve ventilation and speed up the drying process.
5: Prevent Future Toilet Overflows
Avoid flushing non-flushable items such as grease, wipes, paper towels, or feminine hygiene products. Foreign objects can cause severe blockages that lead to a toilet overflow. Invest in yearly plumbing inspections to detect potential plumbing problems early. Hiring plumbing experts to thoroughly inspect your plumbing system can help homeowners catch a potential issue before it results in a catastrophic malfunction, such as a toilet overflow or sewage backup.
6: When to Call a Professional
Professional water damage repair services are necessary if your toilet overflow is caused by a sewer line issue or septic system failure. Sewer and septic system issues can lead to sewage backups that cause severe damage to your home. If sewage water and waste back up and overflow into your home, professional remediation services will provide biohazardous waste removal and residential remediation.
If water has seeped into your home’s walls, floors, or ceilings, professional water damage restoration services will be necessary to prevent structural and mold growth. Severe water damage to your home’s walls can lead to long-term damages that can reduce the value of your property, and exposure to mold can cause health complications. Professional water damage remediation is the best way to maintain your home’s structural integrity and indoor air quality.
7: Trust ServiceMaster by SRS for Water Damage Restoration in Lynnwood, WA
ServiceMaster by SRS specializes in water damage restoration and can quickly mitigate damage caused by toilet overflows. Plumbing damages can cause major problems for Lynnwood homeowners, and our comprehensive water damage remediation services ensure your home recovers from unexpected overflows. Using advanced equipment and industry-leading remediation techniques, we extract water, dry affected areas, and prevent mold growth in a timely manner.
Our 24/7 emergency services provide residents with immediate assistance for toilet overflows. Plumbing failures can happen when you least expect it, and our emergency response team is here to help when your plumbing goes awry. ServiceMaster by SRS is committed to restoring your home safely and efficiently. Call us today at 425-541-7680 to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.
