The toilet may overflow or be part of a wastewater backup
A rising bowl, sewage, multiple affected fixtures, or water spreading onto the floor requires immediate water-use reduction and urgent maintenance.
Why this result fits
- The bowl is rising, overflowing, or contains wastewater.
- Another fixture gurgles, drains slowly, or backs up.
- Contaminated water may spread through the apartment or building.
What to do now
Do not flush again
Stop using affected toilets, sinks, showers, dishwashers, and washing machines.
Avoid contact
Keep people and pets away from wastewater and do not enter water near electricity.
Call emergency maintenance
State that sewage or a rising toilet is present and list every affected fixture.
Document safely
Take photos from a dry location and note whether water is spreading.
Stop and escalate if
- Wastewater is near electricity.
- Water is entering another unit or spreading rapidly.
- Anyone has direct exposure or becomes ill.
What not to do
- Do not plunge a toilet that is actively overflowing or part of a multi-fixture backup.
- Do not add chemicals or disinfectants to the bowl.
- Do not keep testing other fixtures.
Message you can send to maintenance
Urgent: the toilet is [rising/overflowing/backing up with wastewater], and [other fixtures] are also [gurgling/slow/backing up]. We stopped water use and kept people and pets away.
Help prevent a repeat
- Do not flush wipes, paper towels, hygiene products, litter, or grease.
- Report multi-fixture gurgling before a backup occurs.
If this does not match
Sources and review date
- Home Maintenance — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense
- What’s in drain cleaner and what happens if you drink it? — Poison Control
Content last reviewed: under the Apartmentwise methodology.