The toilet is overflowing: stop it now
This takes less than a minute.
- 1
Lift the tank lid
Push the flapper down into its seat to stop water entering the bowl.
- 2
Shut the supply
Turn the valve behind the toilet clockwise until it stops.
- 3
Do not flush again
Another flush adds more water to a bowl that cannot drain.
- 4
Call us
If more fixtures are backing up, the problem is bigger than the toilet.
Common toilet problems and what they mean
Constant running
A worn flapper or fill valve lets water leak into the bowl. A running toilet can waste a lot of water over a day.
Weak flush
Clogged jets under the rim, a low water level or a partial blockage.
Rocking or leaking at the base
A failed wax ring or loose bolts let water seep onto the floor.
Repeated clogs
A partial blockage in the trap or drain, or a damaged line.
Toilet will not stop?
Call and describe what the toilet is doing. We will help you narrow down the cause.
Repair or replace
Repair
- Parts like the flapper, fill valve or wax ring are worn
- The porcelain is intact
- The toilet flushes well when working
- Replacement parts are available
Replace
- Cracked bowl or tank
- An old high-water-use model
- Repeated clogs from poor flush design
- Repair would cost nearly as much as a new toilet
What affects the price of toilet repair
Replacing a toilet that keeps failing
If your toilet has needed several repairs, clogs often or is cracked, a new one may be the better choice. Modern toilets flush well with less water. They also have standard parts that are easy to replace. When we replace a toilet we also check the flange, the supply valve and the floor for damage.
A leaking toilet over time can rot the subfloor around the flange. If the floor feels soft near the base, tell us so we can check before we set the new one.
What to check before calling about a toilet
- Whether the problem is only the toilet or other fixtures too
- Whether water is on the floor and where it appears
- Whether the supply valve still closes
- How old the toilet is
- Whether anything unusual went down it
- Whether the tank refills normally
Toilet clogs and Bothell lines
Toilets in older Bothell homes sometimes share a branch with other fixtures, and a slow toilet can point to a line problem. If a bathroom sink and the tub also drain slowly, the clog is deeper than the toilet.
Do not flush wipes, even the ones sold as flushable. If a toilet drains slowly but is not fully blocked, read our guide on drain cleaning to see when the line is the problem. A running toilet is one of the most common causes of a high water bill, so check it before you look for a hidden leak.
Toilet installs and repairs follow the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) as adopted in Washington under WAC 51-56.
Toilet repair questions
Yes. Our emergency line is open 24 hours a day, every day. Call (425) 845-0257. If the toilet is overflowing, shut the supply valve first.
The flapper or fill valve is usually worn. Sometimes the chain is too tight or too loose. A short repair fixes most running toilets.
Yes, a flange plunger is the right tool for a toilet. If a few plunges do not clear it, stop and call so you do not push the clog deeper.
A failed wax ring, loose bolts or a leaking supply line. We find which and fix it.
Yes. A small leak can waste a lot of water over a month. It is one of the first things to rule out when a bill rises. See leak detection if it is not the toilet.
Yes. We remove the old one, set the new one with a fresh wax ring and test it.