Close the supply valve
The oval handle on the wall or floor behind the toilet. Turn it clockwise.
Toilet overflowing, leaking or will not stop running?
An overflowing or leaking toilet can soak floors and the ceiling below quickly. Close the valve behind the toilet, stop flushing, then call 833-877-1717. RepairNowUSA connects the request. An independent plumber does the repair.
Am I in the right place?Yes for an overflowing toilet, water around the base, a cracked tank or bowl, or a toilet that runs constantly.
Is this urgent?Urgent if it is overflowing, leaking through the floor, or it is the only toilet. Sewage in other drains points to the main line.
What do I do next?Turn the valve behind the toilet clockwise to close it, then call 833-877-1717.
Several drains backing up at once: sewage backup. Water on the ceiling below: ceiling water damage.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 13, 2026 · Review standards
Stop the overflow
Lift the float
If the valve will not turn, take the tank lid off and lift the float to stop the tank filling.
Clean up safely
Toilet water can be contaminated. Wear gloves, disinfect the floor, and keep children and pets away.
Leaks under the toilet spread
Water around the base can mean a failed wax seal. It soaks into the subfloor and ceiling below where you cannot see it. Do not keep using a toilet that leaks at the base.
Common toilet problems
Overflowing
A clog in the toilet or the line beyond it.
Leaking at the base
Failed wax ring or loose flange.
Running constantly
Flapper or fill valve wear. Wastes a lot of water.
Cracked tank or bowl
Needs replacement. Close the valve and do not use it.
What to have ready when you call
- Property ZIP code, home or business
- Overflowing, leaking, running or cracked
- Whether you closed the valve
- Whether other drains back up
- Whether water reached the floor below
- How many toilets are in the building
What happens when you call RepairNowUSA
- Describe what is happening in plain words and give the property ZIP code. You do not need to know which trade to ask for.
- RepairNowUSA checks for a participating independent provider who handles toilet repair in that area.
- If one is available, you are connected. The provider confirms timing, access, scope and price with you before any work.
- The provider, not RepairNowUSA, diagnoses and performs the repair.
RepairNowUSA is a referral and connection service. Provider availability and response times vary by location, time and demand, and are not guaranteed. Before you approve work, ask what was found, the price, the timing and what is not included.
Call 833-877-1717Toilet repair questions
How do I stop a toilet from overflowing?
Close the supply valve behind the toilet. If it will not close, remove the tank lid and lift the float.
Can I call about a toilet at night?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Why is water leaking around the base?
Usually the wax ring seal has failed. Stop using the toilet until it is reset with a new seal.
Is a running toilet urgent?
Not usually, but it wastes water and raises bills. Close the valve between uses until it is fixed.
Should I repair or replace the toilet?
Most leaks and running problems are repairable. A cracked tank or bowl needs replacement.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.