Toilet overflowing right now
Take the tank lid off and push the flapper down to stop more water entering the bowl. Then turn the oval handle on the supply line behind the toilet clockwise until it stops. Do not flush again, since the extra water has nowhere to go.
Put towels around the base and mop up standing water quickly, since toilet water carries bacteria. Wear gloves and wash up afterward.
Overflow steps before we arrive
Stop the water
Close the supply stop behind the toilet. If it will not turn, shut the main valve for the house.
Keep the bowl from rising
Lift the flapper chain or float to keep the tank from refilling the bowl.
Check other drains
If a tub or sink gurgles or backs up too, the clog may be in the main line, not the toilet.
Protect the floor
Lay down towels and a plastic sheet, and move rugs and cabinet contents out of the way.
Call (407) 964-8940 any hour. We offer same-day appointments when available, and after-hours calls reach our line for overflows that are already damaging a floor.
Why the toilet keeps running
Most running toilets come down to two parts in the tank. A worn flapper lets water leak from tank to bowl, so the fill valve refills over and over. A fill valve that sticks open or a float set too high lets water spill into the overflow tube.
A simple test: add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait 15 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, the flapper is bad. A running toilet can waste 200 gallons or more a day, which you will see on the next bill.
Symptoms and the usual cause
This table helps match what you see to a likely fix.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Typical repair |
|---|---|---|
| Constant trickling sound | Worn flapper or chain too tight | Replace flapper, adjust chain length |
| Phantom flush every few minutes | Slow leak from tank to bowl | Replace flapper or flush valve seat |
| Water around the base | Failed wax ring or loose closet bolts | Pull the toilet, replace the wax ring, reset it |
| Weak flush | Clogged rim jets or low tank water level | Clear jets and set the fill height |
| Wobbling bowl | Loose bolts or damaged flange | Tighten bolts, shim, or repair the flange |
| Water at supply line | Cracked supply hose or worn washer | Replace braided supply line and stop valve |
Leaks at the base of the toilet
A toilet rests on a wax or foam ring that seals the bowl to the drain flange. When that seal fails, water seeps out with every flush and soaks the subfloor. The stain on the floor around the base is usually a sign it has been leaking for some time.
We lift the bowl, inspect the flange for cracks or a gap, set a new ring, and tighten the closet bolts evenly to prevent cracking the porcelain. If the subfloor is soft, tell us right away so the flange can be secured properly. The same repair is offered across Casselberry and nearby towns.
Replacement toilets sold today are made to current water-use limits, and the install itself follows Florida's plumbing code (the IPC-based Florida Building Code, Plumbing), for flange height and clearances.
Clogs that a plunger will not clear
A flange plunger and a closet auger clear most toilet clogs. We use a closet auger designed not to scratch the porcelain, and we can pull the toilet if something solid, like a toy, is lodged in the trap. Flushing wipes labeled flushable is a frequent cause of repeat clogs.
When more than one drain in the house is slow, the problem is deeper than the toilet. Our drain cleaning service covers main line clogs, and a camera can show what is blocking the line.
Toilet trouble to look for
Check these before you call so we can bring the right parts.
- Brand and age of the toilet, if known.
- Whether the tank water level reaches the overflow tube.
- Water on the floor after flushing or at all times.
- A flush that sounds weaker than before or leaves waste behind.
- Loose seat, rocking bowl, or cracked porcelain.
- Whether the toilet is a one-piece, two-piece, or wall-hung.
- Other fixtures backing up at the same time.
Toilet repair and replacement pricing
Repair is usually the cheaper choice unless the porcelain is cracked or the toilet uses a large amount of water per flush.
| Work | Typical ballpark |
|---|---|
| Flapper or fill valve repair | $120 to $300 |
| Wax ring reset | $200 to $450 |
| New toilet installed, labor only | $250 to $500 |
| Flange repair | Quoted per job |
- Part to replaceA flapper or fill valve is a small part. A flange repair or wax ring reset takes more time.
- Repair versus replacementCracked porcelain or constant clogs often justify a new toilet.
- New toilet choiceBuilder-grade, comfort-height, and high-efficiency models vary widely in price.
- Hour of the callAfter-hours dispatch is priced differently from a daytime same-day booking.
Consider those ranges typical ballparks only, because every bathroom is different. We tell you the exact price up front, before the first wrench turns.
What homeowners and renters should know here
The City of Altamonte Springs runs the sewer system, with an after-hours line for sewer backups at (407) 571-8686. If several fixtures back up at once, or sewage appears in a tub or floor drain, call the city side after you stop using water in the house. The city lists 17,110 multifamily units in 97 communities, so many callers rent and should notify the property manager as well.
We handle fixtures and drain lines on the private side. We can tell you whether your clog points to a toilet trap or to the main line.
New toilets and what we do not fix
Replacing a toilet usually takes one visit, and we haul the old one away. For a remodel or a new bathroom, our plumbing installation page explains how we rough in drains and supply lines. Cracked tanks, damaged flanges, and old shutoff valves are worth replacing together.
We do not repair the sewer main.
Toilet repair questions
Yes. Our line at (407) 964-8940 is open around the clock. Close the supply valve behind the toilet and call, and we will schedule the earliest visit, including overnight and weekend calls.
A worn flapper or a fill valve that does not shut off is the usual reason. Both parts are inexpensive to replace.
If the porcelain is sound and the problem is a tank part, repair is the better value. A cracked bowl, a clog that keeps returning, or a model that uses a lot of water per flush favors replacement.
Yes. A failed wax ring can leak slowly under the floor covering, and a flapper can leak silently into the bowl. A stained floor or a high bill gives it away.
Stop using water and call the city's after-hours sewer backup line at (407) 571-8686, then call us if the blockage is on your side of the connection.
Yes, as long as it fits the rough-in. Measure from the wall to the flange bolts, since 12 inches is the most common but not the only size.