How can I fix my toilet - it overflows but it's not clogged?

Question

One day I flushed my toilet - there was nothing in it but water - and it overflowed. Ever since then, whenever I flush it, it goes to overflow, and if I let it sit, the water level goes way down. It's not clogged, so I don't know what it's overflowing. Do I need to replace the whatchamacall it (rubber thing on the bottom) or what? It's making me angry.

Answer 1

Do you have a septic tank? If so, it could be time to have it emptied.

Or:

The toilet overflows if either the building sewer, branch line in your sewer system or trap in your toilet gets clogged.

You should call a plumber or two and get some estimates and what they think it may be.

In the meantime, you can put some stuff in there that is suppose to unclog toilets. You can buy things at your local supermarket. If you don't have plastic pipes, some of them will be ok. Read the back of the product.

Answer 2

It's clogged further down at the "u" joint. You need a snake to clear it out or plunge it until whatever it gets pushed down. The water the water goes way down all of a sudden is the sign that it's at the u joint. It's usually paper, so if you use the snake turn the handle a bunch of times to make sure it gets it all. The toilet has a trap and a lot of times people think that because the trap is clear it's not clogged.

In the diagram you see the trap and a second area that holds water right at the floor level. Nine times out of ten that's the problem area.

If you have a neighbour with teenagers, they will have a snake to clear that area out. But plunging an awful lot does work, but it takes so many times you get a good work out.
In the meantime turn the water off at safety valve and use a bucket to flush.

A plumbers snake that is especially designed to take care of the problem is less the $20.00 and a plunger less than $10.00. The can of pressurized gas you see on TV doesn't work if the clog is paper.

Answer 3

1) Never use drain chemicals in a toilet, they cause a chemical reaction which produces heat and usually cracks the porcelain.
2) Try to plung it. If nothing comes up and you still get the problem, go to step 3
3) try a toilet auger which is about 6 feet long, you don't need anything longer because if the auger doesn't get it your problem is with the drain lines.
4) Check the bathroom sink and the drain on the tub, use a safer enzyme based product on these as the most common problem for these drains are soap, shampoo, tooth paste, shaving cream, and body hair. Most of these products are available in either 10 minute or overnight varieties and should be used every once in a while any way to keep the drains clear.
5) try putting dye in the (or Fluidmaster has a pill that they send to their retailers) into the tank and wait for a while to see if the dye makes it into the bowl. This would indicate you would need to replace the flapper.
6) Check the water supply valve for the toilet and the height of the float, The supply valve may not be open all the way and/or the float is not set up correctly so that you may not be getting enough water into the tank to provide for sufficient water to force every thing out.
7) check around the base of the toilet if you are getting water puddling you need to replace the wax ring on the floor to help keep the vacuum for water to flow correctly.

Answer 4

There's a clog there it's just not completely stopped up. Have you tried using a plunger? They're inexpensive and you can get one almost anywhere, walmart, hardware store. Thick toilet paper could be the cause. If it doesn't clear you can use a plumbers snake or toilet auger. Cost a little more but still inexpensive.

Here's a step by step guide

http://www.sandiego-plumbers.com/info/unclogging_toilet.htm

Answer 5

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RE:
How can I fix my toilet - it overflows but it's not clogged?
One day I flushed my toilet - there was nothing in it but water - and it overflowed. Ever since then, whenever I flush it, it goes to overflow, and if I let it sit, the water level goes way down. It's not clogged, so I don't know what it's overflowing. Do I need to replace the...

Answer 6

Try lowering your float level, that may be the proble If the flapper is opening and closing without a problem. It still may be your problem. Then too there may an obstruction in the toilet it's self. Try using a plumbers helper, The thing with a rubbed bowl looking thing with a handle. That can be your problem. Try those 2 things. if they are not a help. Call a plumber water an cause floor damage.

Answer 7

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There could be foreign object logged up in the neck of the toilet or at its base. The next easiest step for you is to acquire a toilet auger. This is a short snake like device that you is used manually to clear heavy debris from inside the toilet. No pulling required. There are drain cleaners that you can pour down the toilet, but must of them tell you not to. That is about all you can do with-out pulling the toilet. You might want to look for a sewer clean-out in your yard(large pipe with rubber or plastic cap), once you find it remove the top and check for water sitting in the pipe, there should not be any standing water.

Answer 8

We are having the same problem. We have a commercial style toilet in our home and we removed it. Took it outside flushed it out with the water hose and nothing came out. We climbed on the roof and checked the roof vent, it was not clogged. We poured a bunch of water down the sewer pipe and it did not back up. So we are at a loss as to what to do next.

Answer 9

It must be at least partly clogged somewhere on the line to the sewer. Roots grow into drains, etc.
If, as you insist, it isn't clogged...it must be 'possessed', in which case Instead of a plumber you require the assistance of an excorcist.

Answer 10

There has to be a blockage some where. Some of the idea's from other people are fine but becarful with a snake you could cause more damage. Also if you put any chemical in MAKE sure you tell the plumber when he come because that stuff will burn him he needs to know before he starts please let him know.