15 Feb Great Tips On Dealing With Water Damage From Toilet Overflow
Toilet overflows can do a lot of damage, depending on where they are located and the layout of your home. A slab foundation overflow will cause less damage to the powder room than the one in the master bedroom on second floor. An overflowing toilet could cause water damage to:
- Baseboards and flooring
- Subfloors
- Drywall
- Electrical wiring
- Ceilings at lower levels
- Trim
- Cabinets
- Carpeting
The overflow of a toilet can cause harm to any material it touches. Even if it is not noticed for a while, water can cause severe damage. It can damage materials and cause mold growth if left untreated.
Extra Consideration for Toilet Overflows
Water damage such as a burst pipe, leaking water heater or other water-related issues can be repaired. Less severe is water damage caused by a toilet leak. There are two types of water sources for toilets: those that are clean like the supply line and those that are filthy like a backup.
It is crucial to identify the source of the water damage in a toilet. This will help determine the type of water that has been reduced. There are three types of water quality that water restoration professionals can help you with:
Category 1
Also known as “clean water”, category one water is safe and clean. Supply lines are the most common source of clean water.
Category 2
Grey water, also known as category two water, is water that might contain contaminants that can cause illness. Grey water is most commonly found in the drains of dishwashers and washing machines
Category 3
Category three water is black water. This water is highly contaminated and can pose a serious risk to your health. Black water would include a toilet backup that is backed up to the sewer line.
What to do if your toilet overflows
- Find out where the water is coming from. Is it coming from a tank, supply line, or the toilet?
- To begin cleanup, contact your insurance company to file a claim.
- If it is clean water, stop the flow of water and dry the area.
- Wait for a professional if the water is dark. Black water can be extremely dangerous, so only a professional should handle it wearing the proper personal protective equipment.
- You shouldn’t assume there isn’t any damage because you can’t see it with your naked eyes. Water can seep into cracks and crevices, causing unseen damages. To ensure there are no hidden water, call a professional water restoration company to take moisture readings.
Toilet overflows can be a minor inconvenience or a serious problem depending on how much and where it comes from. Any type of water damage is serious. It’s even more important to get help from professionals when there are overflows.