Toilet water backsplash can happen in the nicest household. Overactive toilets may leave splash marks on toilet seats and walls. Guests, along with household members, may be disgusted as well. When water splashes after flushing, it is caused by large amounts of water running in the bowl.
Thankfully, there are a few ways to rectify this problem and have the toilet return to normal.
First, see if the water level found in the basin is too high. Check the bowl refill tube to see. If it is properly placed in the overflow tube, then examine the fill valve to check for cracks. Look at the flapper valve while flushing the toilet, and Install a timed flapper to minimize the flow of water.
High Toilet Water Levels
Too high of a water level in the toilet bowl can fly up and get onto walls, rugs, and pants. You can usually trace the problem back to the flapper. Flappers are easy to replace and install. Doing the job only requires a few small, simple tools.
Requirements:
Replacement flapper
Small bucket
Pliers
Towels
Rubber/latex gloves
Changing the Flapper
Turn off the water supply valve. It should be next to the wall. Take off the tank lid. Then drain the water or remove it to allow you to get to the flapper located at the bottom of the tank.
Take off the flapper chain from the lever arm. Then remove the old flapper. Remove any debris that has accumulated around the edges of the hole with clean towels or cloths.
Place the new flapper chain into the hole located at the end of the flapper arm. Join the back of the flapper to the bottom of the toilet tank. Allow it to fill with water.
Adjust the chain if needed until the toilet doesn’t hiss or gurgle. It should now flush properly without backsplash.
The flapper should remain raised until almost all the water has exited the tank.
Additionally, backsplash can be the result of a faulty float. Faulty floats cause the tank to have too much water. When you flush, water hits the toilet bowl and sprays upward. Replacing it solves this problem.
Broken Fill Valve
This is the most common cause of backsplash. While the water is filling the bowl, it is supposed to flow down to the standpipe. This fills the bowl and the toilet trap. If the standpipe is misaligned or damaged, water can spray up against the bottom of the lid and leak out from the bottom of the toilet.
Leaking Seals
Toilets have six seals. The largest seal is between the tank and bowl, and breaks can cause huge leaks within the toilet, leading to water shooting upwards each time the toilet is flushed.
To resolve this, drain and remove the tank. Turn it upside down to access the old seal, then remove and replace it. Tightening the bolts on the tank may be adequate to prevent leaking, but homeowners should likely replace the seal.
Low Toilet Water
Low toilet water may not always provide a backsplash of water, but isn’t good, either. It causes the toilet to not completely flush, usually due to plugged inlet holes preventing adequate water from filling the bowl.
The water jets located beneath the toilet bowl rim become clogged with mineral deposits from gunk or hard water deposits if the toilet isn’t cleaned enough or cleaned well.
You can fix this by pouring hot vinegar into the overflow tube. Allow it to rest for one hour, but preferably overnight for maximum effect. Clean out the holes under the tip with a thin wire before flushing to rid it of garbage.
Adjust the Floating Arm
Adjust the float arm to raise or lower water levels. To lower the float arm, turn the screw counterclockwise; to raise it, turn it clockwise. For floating ballcocks, pinch the spring clip. Slide the float down the arm to lower the water levels.
Can Toilet Water Backsplash Pose Health Concerns?
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are caused by unwashed hands meeting genitals, germs entering the urethra during sexual intercourse, and toilet water backsplash. While it is unlikely that it will cause an infection, there is a possibility if it enters the urethra.
UTIs are more common in women than men due to the structure of the urethra. Women have a wider opening in which germs can enter and can become more susceptible to it.
Can You Get a Sexually Transmitted Infection from Toilet Splash?
Many viruses, like streptococcus, E. coli, staphylococcus, hepatitis A, sexually transmitted germs, and the common cold live in restrooms, if you are healthy, they shouldn’t affect you. These are common on many surfaces, and simple handwashing eliminates the contagion.
The toilet seat itself doesn’t transmit infections to people. Organisms that spread disease survive for a short duration on a toilet seat’s surface. To get infected, germs would need to be transferred from the seat to the genital tract or urethra via a sore on the bum or thigh. While it is possible, it is highly unlikely.
Usually, the only way to obtain an STD on a toilet seat is if you have sex on it.
While it is unpleasant and gross to have toilet water backsplash land on you, you can fix it once you find the source of the problem. Most of the issues stem from parts of the toilet wearing down and require simple replacement.
The job isn’t difficult, and you can do it yourself quite easily, saving the homeowner money in the process. For larger jobs, and if you are unsure what you are doing, consult a professional. They will be better able to assist you.
Furthermore, while most people fear the germs found in toilets, it is unlikely they will infect you. If you are the unwilling recipient of toilet backsplash, wash your hands properly, and you should avoid getting sick.
