Toilet trouble? Here’s what to do right now.
Turn the small valve behind the toilet and the overflow stops. Then it’s a question of what’s wrong, not how fast.
First, this.
Close the valve behind the toilet
To stop a running or overflowing toilet, close the shutoff valve on the toilet's water supply.
SourceRuns until you jiggle the handle
If the toilet runs unless you jiggle the handle, the lever bar, chain, or handle may be sticking; adjust the nut that secures it in the tank.
SourceWater spills into the overflow tube
If water spills into the overflow tube, lower the level with the adjustment screw or by gently bending the float arm down.
SourceWhat goes down
Flush only human waste and toilet paper. Wipes, tissues, diapers, and paper towels go in the trash.
Source
Usually a job for today.
- Call nowAn overflow you cannot stop, or sewage coming up in the toilet or other drains.
- TodayThe only toilet in the home is clogged and a plunger has not cleared it, or water leaks at the base when flushed.
- Can waitA running or silently leaking toilet. It wastes water but is usually a worn flapper; Longview calls leaking toilets the top source of wasted water at home.
Before you call.
Safety first
What to tell the plumber
- Running, leaking (tank or base), clogged, or overflowing.
- Whether other drains are also slow or backing up.
- Whether anything other than toilet paper was flushed (wipes, toys, hygiene products).
- Toilet brand/model or a photo inside the tank, and the result of a dye test.
What it costs
We don’t publish prices we can’t source. Your plumber looks, then quotes before starting.
Calling us is free. The plumber pays us a referral fee.
Worth knowing
4 on our list do toilets.
Of the 26, by their Google profiles. Sam checks who takes it when you call.
We don’t do the work. Reviews are for each plumber, from Google.