Too much toilet paper or a young child fascinated with flushing items can lead to a clogged, overflowing toilet. When that happens, you’ll need to take the right steps to prevent water damage and restore your toilet to working order. The guide below explains how you should and shouldn’t react to a clogged toilet so that you’re prepared for the next backup.

What You Shouldn’t Do With a Clogged Toilet

Calmly assess the situation—if the flapper in the tank isn’t closing, you should close it manually or shut the water off at the toilet shutoff valve to prevent an overflow. Then, assess the clogged toilet and determine whether you can handle it or if you need to call a plumber.

You should also avoid using any chemical drain cleaners. While they promise a quick resolution to the clog, the harsh chemical formula can damage old pipes. In the long run, the potential for damage makes it inadvisable to use these cleaners. Also, avoid using other drains in the bathroom. The clog may originate further down the pipes, and the other drains may back up as well.

How You Should Respond

If the problem was simply too much toilet paper in one flush, a plunger may be enough to resolve the problem. Place it over the opening of the toilet bowl and push down in slow, steady strokes to avoid splashing yourself with wastewater. If that doesn’t fix the problem, try running a drain snake down the toilet opening to reach a clog further down the line. You can also pour a mixture of hot water and white vinegar down the drain to loosen clogged matter. If these solutions don’t work, call a plumber, as the problem may be a more serious sewer or septic clog.

Are you dealing with a stubborn clogged toilet or backed up drain? Call the experts at All Star Rooter, Sewer and Drain Cleaning. Led by Bryan Card, who has more than 30 years of industry experience, they serve residents across Connecticut’s Fairfield and New Haven counties. Whether you need a simple drain cleaning, a sewer line video inspection, or a fixture replacement, they can help. Call (203) 286-4498 to schedule a service, and visit their website to learn more about their offerings.