Bathroom floods can happen to anyone and at any time. The chances of a bathroom flood can vary depending on several factors, and can occur due to toilet overflow, bathtub overflow, leaky pipes, faucets, and more! They can happen due to a variety of reasons, too, such as a clogged drain, a faulty faucet, or accidental overflow.

In general, bathoom floods are not uncommon. In fact, they rank as one of the most common motives for insurance claims in the United States.

Our technicians at The Homestar Group were called to deal with a water flood from the master bath at a home in Covington, GA. In this case, the flood was caused by faulty pipes.

Initial assessment

As soon as a team arrived on the scene, the first thing they did was assess the damage.

As with any flooding scenario, it’s important to turn off the water supply - if not done so already - to prevent further flooding. Then, the source of the water leak must be identified.

Here, faulty plumbing in the pipes feeding the master bath was the culprit, sending water throughout the bathroom and into the adjoining bedroom.

It wasn’t a large amount of water, but it nonetheless still affected the drywall, paint and flooring in both rooms.

Water removal

If a bathroom has flooded, it's important to act quickly to prevent water damage and mold growth. 

Having identified and isolated the source of the flood, the next stage is to drain the water from the affected areas. We achieved this using towels, mops and a wet/dry vacuum to remove as much water as possible.

Once the standing water is gone, it’s important to dry the area completely within 24 to 48 hours in order to stop mold spores from settling and creating harmful colonies. Not only is mold unsightly, but it can also be extremely dangerous, leading to allergies and respiratory illnesses.

Our technicians installed fans and dehumidifiers, as well as opened windows, to allow the affected area to dry out completely and quickly.

BEFORE:

Removal of damaged materials

Meanwhile, we looked out for stains, discoloration and soft spots on the walls and floors to identify and be able to target the materials damaged by the water.

In this client’s case, the drywall and flooring were most affected and had to be removed. This is because they are made from very porous materials that absorb and trap water. This is bad news for several reasons:

• Structural damage. When drywall and flooring absorb water, they become weakened and damaged, which can compromise the structural integrity of your home. Even if the water seems to have dried up, moisture can still be trapped inside these materials and cause long-term damage.
• Mold growth. Mold thrives in moist environments, and wet drywall and flooring can create the perfect conditions for mold to grow. Mold can spread quickly and cause significant health problems.
• Other health hazards. Floodwaters can contain harmful bacteria and other contaminants that can seep into porous materials like drywall and flooring, making them a potential health hazard. Removing these materials can help prevent exposure to these contaminants.

In this client’s case, some segments of the drywall on the lower parts of the wall in the bathroom and bedroom had to be removed. Likewise, the laminate flooring on the half of the bedroom closest to the bathroom had to be lifted.

Complete restoration of the affected area

Having consulted readings on moisture and humidity meters, our technicians could confirm once the area was completely dry.

In order to prevent the growth of mold and other bacteria, we cleaned, sanitized and deodorized all surfaces and items that came into contact with floodwater to kill any remaining bacteria or fungi that had started to germinate in the moist areas.

Only then was it possible to begin restoration work.

In this client’s home, the first task was to repair the faulty pipes, ensuring that the bath could be used safely once again.

Next was to install new drywall, paint it to match the original color, and replace the affected flooring like for like to return our client’s space to its pre-flood condition.

AFTER: