Toilet water overflowing onto the floor

Symptoms

• Water rises to the rim and spills onto the floor
• Happened right after flushing
• Tank may also be overfilling into the overflow tube
• Water spreading across the bathroom floor

Likely causes

• CommonSevere clog backing water upA full blockage in the trap has nowhere for flush water to go but up and over the rim.
• PossibleFill valve stuck openA malfunctioning fill valve keeps adding water even after the tank is full, eventually pushing past the overflow tube faster than it can drain.
• PossibleFlushing while already cloggedFlushing again on top of standing water pushes the bowl past capacity.

What to do

1. Turn off the water supply at the shutoff valve behind the toilet immediately.
2. If you can't reach the valve fast enough, take the tank lid off and push the flapper down to stop more water from entering the bowl.
3. Once it's stopped, mop up the water and check the floor and any lower level below for water damage.
4. Once the bowl level drops, plunge to clear the clog that caused the backup.
5. Check the fill valve afterward if the tank itself was also overfilling, and adjust or replace it.
6. Avoid flushing again until you've confirmed the clog is cleared and drains normally.

Tools and parts

• Flange plunger
• Towels
• Mop

When to call a pro

Call a plumber if the clog won't clear with a plunger and auger, or if water has reached flooring below that needs drying and inspection.

Safety