In the event your bathroom floods, you’ll want to shut the water off as quickly as possible, begin cleaning up, and call a professional to help. The damages may be covered by your home insurance policy, depending on the source.

Accidents are possible even in the most well-maintained homes. If you know what to look for, you can even take steps to lessen the chances of your bathroom flooding in the first place.

In any case, a flooded bathroom is stressful, and figuring out what types of water damage your

home insurance

policy covers can be confusing. That’s why licensed home and

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has compiled everything you need to know about when your bathroom is flooded with water.

How to stop the flooding

The first thing you’ll need to do is shut off the water at its source. Most homes have a central water shut-off valve that stops water from flowing to all sources—toilets, sinks, etc.—as well as local isolation valves below each source.

If you can identify which fixture is causing the problem, turn its isolation valve to the right; if you are unable to pinpoint the cause of the flooding, switch off your home’s main water supply.

Follow this up by shutting off the electricity to your bathroom and any other flooded rooms to minimize the risk of electrocution. Switch off the lighting and socket circuits from your circuit breaker panel.

MORE: The 16 perils of homeowners insurance

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Fixing a flooded bathroom

If the flooding wasn’t caused by simple user error (e.g., leaving a bath running for too long), you may need to fix a leak or replace a section of plumbing altogether.

While there are many DIY guides out there to help homeowners patch up minor leakages, it is usually recommended you call a professional for more involved plumbing issues.

Cleaning a flooded bathroom

After you’ve shut off the water and electricity, the next step is cleaning your bathroom. You’ll want to do this as quickly as possible to avoid the worst of the water damage. Here are the steps to take:

Remove and soak up water. You can use towels to soak up and corral floodwater to prevent it from spreading further, while a mop and bucket are helpful for getting rid of standing water. If the flooding is severe, you may need to rent a wet vac or call a professional water clean-up service

Open cabinets and remove objects. Remove any items from the floor, like bath mats, and clear out any cabinets that may have come into contact with the wet floor. Inspect them for dampness to minimize potential damage later on

Dry the room. After removing everything and clearing the bulk of the water, set up as many fans as possible to start drying the room out. If you have a dehumidifier, use that. You may be able to rent additional drying equipment from your local home improvement store

Replace drywall. Any drywall that comes into contact with standing water—or even several inches above the water line—will need to be torn out and replaced. This is necessary to avoid structural damage and prevent mold growth

Disinfect. Once your bathroom has been restored to its pre-flooded condition, use a strong disinfectant to clean any surfaces that came into contact with the floodwater. This includes the floor, baseboards, tub and toilet base, etc.

Key Takeaway After you stop the flooding, clean your bathroom by removing the water, emptying cabinets, drying the room, and disinfecting. Drywall may need to be replaced if soaked through.

MORE: Home insurance terms you need to know

Finding out what caused the problem

There are many reasons why your bathroom may have flooded. Some of the more common causes are listed below.

Clogged pipes: Hair in sink and bathtub drains or objects other than toilet paper in toilets are infamous for clogging bathroom pipes

Leaking shower: If your shower’s hardware fails, a crack forms in the shower tray, or a pipe bursts, it can lead to flooding

Blocked toilet: A blocked toilet trap is usually the cause of toilet overflow. It usually takes a plunger or plumber’s snake to resolve the issue

Pipe/plumbing issues: Your home has many water supply lines, any of which can leak or burst. Freezing temperatures can cause pipes to burst or crack, and age can wear down plumbing, resulting in hairline or pinhole leaks

Water or sewage backups: Storms and heavy rainfall can cause sewer and water mains to back up and flood your bathroom, as can tree roots if they crack or clog water and sewer lines

Preventing future flooding

Knowing how to prevent the next flood can be a lifesaver, so keep these tips in mind:

Know where your home’s water shut-off valves are, as well as how they operate, and keep them in good condition

Routinely check for leaks in your drain and supply lines

Keep the phone number of a certified water damage contractor close by

Put only toilet paper in toilets

Keep sink and bathtub drains clean and free of hair. Consider purchasing drain covers

Never leave a running bath unattended

Key Takeaway The most common causes of bathroom flooding are water overflow, discharge, and backups, followed by leaks or burst pipes. Routine maintenance and proper cleaning can help reduce the chances of your bathroom flooding.

Is bathroom flooding covered by homeowners insurance?

Generally speaking, the only types of water damage covered under the named perils of a homeowners policy are those resulting from sudden water overflow or discharge due to a plumbing issue, heating/air conditioning unit, or another appliance.

This means that if your bathtub or toilet overflows due to structural issues or a pipe suddenly bursts, your insurance company should provide coverage for the water loss claim.

You will, however, have to do everything in your power to protect your property from further damage, as is stated by the homeowners policy contract.

If a plumber determines the cause of the flooding to be the result of a water or sewage backup, coverage potential is less clear, and you will have to contact your agent to check whether the claim is supported.

MORE: Does homeowners insurance cover bellied pipes?

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Finding an insurance policy that’s right for you

In the event your bathroom floods, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got a

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FAQs

How do I clean a flooded bathroom?

To clean a flooded bathroom, soak up and remove as much of the water as possible, either with towels or a mop. Open any cabinets or drawers and move items out of the room. Dry out the room with as many fans as possible.

Consider renting a dehumidifier or other drying equipment from a home improvement center.

Will my homeowners insurance cover a flooded bathroom?

If the cause of the flooding is a water or sewage backup, or if a pipe leaks but does not burst, you may not have coverage. Check with your agent to see whether you’re eligible for a payout before filing a claim.

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