You flush the toilet and begin to wash your hands, and then you notice it, the rising toilet water. Panic sets in and prayers commence as you beg the toilet "no, no, no, please, please, please!" The only way this nightmare could be worse is if you were visiting someone else's home and porcelain throne and it overflowed. So, what's a person to do in this frightening situation? Here is the answer:

Stop The Flow Of Water

When you see the toilet water level rising, find the toilet's water shut-off valve immediately. This will prevent any more water from filling the bowl and give you plenty of time to decide what to do next. The last thing you want is an overflowing toilet bowl, with water, urine, and (eek!) feces flowing over the edge and on to the floor below.

Because the shut-off valve isn't used often, it may be difficult to turn from mineral buildup or rust. Take a forward-thinking step to thwart future mishaps and make a mental note to remember to close and open the shut-off valve every time you clean the bathroom. Keeping it lubricated with a silicone lubricant will help keep it easy to open.

What If There Isn't A Shut-Off Valve?

If you can't find a shut-off valve, or there is one, but it is stuck, quickly tank the lid off the tank and set it aside. Reach in all the way to the bottom and close the rubber flange known as the flapper. This is usually a big black pieced of rubber about 3-4 inches in diameter. Don't worry, while the tank may look brown and rusty on the inside, the water is actually from the fresh water supply.

If closing the flapper doesn't work, lift up the arm with the ball float. This will prevent the tank from filling with any more water. Find something to wedge under it to keep it up while you go back to working on shutting the water off at the valve. If you can't find a shut-off valve, it may have been hidden in the wall during construction. This isn't a proper building method, but it happens. If this is the case, you will need to call a plumber to come and install one.

Now that you have prevented the toilet from filling with any more water, it's time to clear the plug. Take your plunger and using a steady motion, plunge it up and down to create suction. When the toilet sucks all the water and organic matter down the drain, take this opportunity to clean the toilet bowl before turning back on the shut-off valve. If a plunger doesn't work, it's best to call a professional plumbing company like First Class Plumbing LLC.