Blog - Restoration 1 of Morris County
CONTACT US TODAY
How to Clean Up After an Overflowing Toilet in Your Morris County
An overflowing toilet in your home is downright unsanitary. It’s an unsightly mess that can lead to water damage , contamination, and foul odors in your home.
Thankfully, cleaning up after a toilet overflows is relatively simple. If you’re unsure about how to get the job done properly, call a local restoration company. If you suspect mold or extensive water damage, you’ll certainly need a certified restoration team.
Cleaning Up After a Toilet Overflows
When dealing with an overflowing toilet, the cleanup process can be broken down into a few simple steps. By following these steps, you’ll have a clean bathroom in no time.
-
Mitigate – First and foremost, you need to stop the backup. It doesn’t make any sense to start cleaning if water is still pouring from the toilet. Shut off the water supply to the toilet. Then, use a string mop or towel to begin soaking up the water from the toilet bowl. Anything you use during the cleanup process should be thrown away due to the risk of contamination.
-
Cleaning – With the water stopped up, it’s time to begin cleaning the mess. Use a mop to remove as much water from the floor as possible. Then, use an empty bucket to ring the mop out and repeat.
-
Unclog – Your toilet overflowed for a reason. Most likely, the toilet became clogged. Use a plunger to remove the blockage. If a plunger doesn’t work, try an auger. Either way, you need to remove the clog or the toilet will just overflow again once the water is turned back on.
-
Sanitize – The entire area is contaminated with what is known as gray water damage. Typically, you want a restoration company to handle the situation. On short notice, you can use bleach mixed with warm water to clean the bathroom and sanitize the area. Remember, you need to throw away any towels or mop heads used.
When to Call the Experts
Knowing when to call for professional restoration services can help the situation. If you wait too long, the damage will worsen and be far costlier to restore.
If your overflowing toilet has spread to the next room, outside of the bathroom, or into the wood or drywall, it’s time to call the experts. You cannot handle soaked-in water damage. The risk of mold growth is far too great.
Most local restoration companies offer 24-hour emergency restoration services. You can call at a moment’s notice and schedule immediate repairs.
If you’re dealing with the aftermath of an overflowing toilet, reach out to Restoration 1 of Morris County. We specialize in water damage restoration and cleanup. At any hour, pick up the phone and call 973-810-4145. We guarantee that someone will answer and that you’ll receive aid within the hour!
