Small toys or other household items accidentally dropped and flushed are common culprits, especially in homes with children.

This is the most critical rule. If the water level is high, do not flush again. The toilet bowl is designed to hold exactly one flush’s worth of water. A second flush will likely cause an overflow, turning a minor inconvenience into a wet-floor disaster.

This is the first line of defense for soft blockages (excessive toilet paper or organic waste).

There are few household emergencies more immediate—or more panic-inducing—than a blocked toilet. Whether it’s rising water levels that threaten to spill over or simply a sluggish drain that refuses to cooperate, a clog demands quick action.