We often see a toilet overflow because it is clogged with some foreign particles that are unintentionally flushed, but what if your toilet overflow but the reason is other than clogging?
It means, “Your toilet overflowing but is not clogged”.
Many homeowners find it difficult to identify the main cause of this problem. As per my personal experience, the main cause of this problem is somewhere far from the bottom of your toilet bowl. Might be the clogging is somewhere outside of your toilet.
This could be a Sewer line, Toilet tank, Clogged drain pipe, Plumbing floor vent pipe, Toilet vent, Full septic tank, etc.
In this article, we are going to discuss all of these causes of the problem in detail and try to find out some effective solutions for them.
So without further ado.
Let’s begin troubleshooting your toilet.
Table of Contents
Can A Toilet Overflow Without Being Clogged?
No, if your toilet is not clogged, it doesn’t mean that there is no blockage anywhere. If your toilet is overflowing it means the drain pipe which is connected to the bottom of your toilet bowl has been clogged far from the bottom of your toilet.
My Toilet Is Overflowing and Does Not Seem to Be Clogged [All Possible Reasons]
Check these places for possible damage to fix your toilet overflowing problem, if it is not clogged:
1. Inspect The Toilet Tank
The first place that you can check quickly is the toilet tank of your toilet. Might be it some parts become worn out or damaged and cause an overflowing problem in your toilet.
Check These Components For Troubleshooting:
- Toilet Fill Valve
- Flapper
- Flush valve gasket
The toilet fill valve manages the level of water in the tank, If it has some issue it overfills the toilet tank and causes overflowing.
The Flapper and Flush valve gasket are located at the bottom of your toilet tank. The flush valve creates an airtight sealing and prevents water flow after the flapper rests on it.
If anyone has an issue, it will create a problem in your toilet flush system.
Solution: Check the toilet fill valve, flapper, and flush valve gasket for possible damage and replace them to fix this problem.
Note: Replacing toilet tank components can solve the water leakage issue in your toilet bowl but, it will not solve the overflowing issue because, if leaked water is filled in your toilet bowl and doesn’t drain down it means your drain pipe is clogged beyond the toilet tank.
Also Read: Toilet Overflowed With Poop [A Quick Fix Guide]
2. Inspect Your Bathroom Drain Pipe For Clogging
It really a challenging task to inspect the drain pipe of your home drainage system yourself. The toilet drain pipe is connected to the bottom of your toilet and any clog in it is farther from the toilet bowl.
Some household tools such as a plunger, and toilet snake tools are unable to clear those hard-to-reach areas in your drain pipe, that meet your home’s main sewer pipe.
Solution: It would be better to take expert help to inspect the main drain pipe of your home, to clear the clog.
3. Filled Septic Tank
The Septic tank is connected not only to your toilet but also to your washbasin, shower, sink, bathtub, etc. Also, the main drain pipe is connected to the septic tank. Everything that is flushed in the toilet will remain inside the septic tank until the next clean.
Reasons for clog: The main reason many households face a clogged septic tank is flushing baby wipes, sanitary pads, condoms, etc. These items are not biodegradable and remain in your septic tank and causing the blockage. With the passing of time, the sludge build-up and clogged your septic tank.
Solutions: You need to clean out the septic tank once every 3 to 4 years. If you don’t then solid waste return into the main drain pipe and come back to your toilet throw overflowing.
This is the task that you don’t perform yourself. You need to hire an expert professional to make the job done.
Also Read: Toilet Overflow Without Flushing [Causes & Solutions]
4. Inspect The Plumbing Vent System
A clogged plumbing vent system also causes toilet overflow. The plumbing vent system is connected to the drain pipe attached to the toilet bowl and helps to regulate the fresh air from the top of the roof into the flushing system to ensure each flush drains out the waste from the toilet bowl.
Reason For Clogs: With time it clogged with hair, grease, etc, and creates a blockage that makes it difficult to circulate air outside to inside.
Solution: Plumbing vent cleaning required special plumbing equipment such as a snake pipe with a camera attached, A device to see the motion of the snake pipe and monitor how deep the clog is located, garden hose pipe for cleaning.
I would recommend getting help from professionals to unclog a clogged plumbing vent pipe.
Do’s and Don’t If You Find Your Toilet Overflowing Without Clogging
Here I’ve mentioned what to do yourself and what to avoid fixing on your own when your toilet has an overflowing issue.
What To Do Yourself
- You can check some parts of your toilet tank such as the Flapper, Flush valve gasket, and Toilet fills valve for damage. You can replace them if found damaged or worn out.
- You can snake the toilet bowl, to ensure it becomes unclogged but it will not work if the clog is so far from the bottom of the toilet bowl.
- You can check the water backup system located at the top of the toilet bowl, such as the shower, washing machine, dishwasher, etc.
- You can check the septic tank for possible clogging, by lifting its lid.
- You can check the plumbing roof vent for clogs.
What You Should Avoid Doing Yourself
- Don’t try to clean the septic tank yourself as it required special equipment to unclog and clean the clog inside the septic tank.
- Don’t try to clean the main drain pipe of your home because it will make the situation worse if you do it wrong, and will cost you much higher for fixing.
- Don’t try to unclog the plumbing roof vent yourself because without proper equipment you don’t measure the depth of the clog.
Conclusion
An overflowing toilet needs immediate attention and you need to fix it as soon as possible to avoid further damage. I’ve mentioned 5 places that you have to inspect thoroughly if your toilet overflows without clogging.
Many things you can do yourself but some critical and hard-to-reach places need professionals attentions and professional equipment to fix. You should take professional helps to fix those difficult spots in your home drainage system to fix the problem.
FAQ
Q.1 Why Won’t My Toilet Flush If It’s Not Clogged?
Ans: Maybe your toilet is not clogged but it doesn’t mean there is no clogging at all. Maybe your main drain line becomes clogged which is far from the bottom of your toilet bowl, clogged plumbing roof vent, filled septic tank, and other water backup system also cause toilet overflow problems even if your toilet is not clogged.
Q.2 Can A Bad Flapper Cause A Toilet To Overflow?
Ans: Yes, a bad flapper also causes a toilet overflowing problem, because a flapper helps in maintaining the required water level in the toilet tank. Enough water supply for flushing drains down all the wastage and prevents clogging, A bad flapper will not supply enough water for flush and cause your toilet to overflow.
