A toilet keeps overflowing when a clog was never fully removed, when something solid is stuck in the trap, when the plumbing vent is blocked, when the fill valve does not shut off, or when the main sewer line is partly blocked. If plunging helps for only a day or two, the underlying problem is still there.
Partial Clogs
Plunging often pushes a small opening through a clog without clearing the rest. The toilet works for a while, then catches new waste on what remains. A closet auger, a snake made for toilets, reaches through the trap and can clear it more completely.
Something Solid Inside
Small toys, toothbrushes, bottle caps, and similar items can lodge in the toilet’s curved trap. They will not dissolve, so paper keeps building up behind them. Repeated plunging can wedge them deeper. Sometimes the toilet must be lifted off the floor to remove the object.
Vents and Fill Valves
Plumbing vents let air into the drains so waste can flow. A blocked roof vent can cause weak flushes, gurgling, and overflows. Separately, if the bowl keeps filling even though the drain is clear, the fill valve may be stuck open and need replacing.
The Main Line
If the tub fills or a sink gurgles when you flush, the blockage is further down the line. In multi-unit homes, lower floors can overflow when a shared line is partly blocked. Stop using water and have the line checked.
When an overflow begins, turn the valve behind the toilet clockwise and do not flush again. Clean up with gloves and disinfect the floor.
If overflows keep happening, a plumber can fix the root of the problem. For an older toilet, considering a model that flushes more reliably may be worth it. Call JPR Plumbing at (833) 603-1840.