How Long Does It Take for a Flooded Bathroom to Dry Out?

Your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the entire household. Subsequently, it is also the room with the most plumbing connections. It’s convenient, isn’t it? Yet a lot can go wrong with so many pipes, fixtures, and fittings tucked away behind walls and underneath flooring. Just a single leak can cause extensive water damage to occur in your home. But when a pipe bursts completely, you are looking at extended flooding in the bathroom – and no one wants a flooded bathroom! It’s a messy, smelly situation that often leads to costly repairs and restoration services. Here’s how to understand this ordeal a bit more, and how to handle the situation.

Drying a Flooded Bathroom

It typically takes 2 to 3 days for a bathroom to completely dry after water damage. However, this time frame can vary – it all depends on the severity and nature of the situation. “White” water from water supply pipes is easier to clean and dry, while on the other hand, “black” water such as sewage water is more problematic due to its contaminants.

If the bathroom was exposed to water for an extended time, perhaps while you were away for the weekend, for example, it may take an entire week for the room to dry properly. You can expedite the process by hiring a professional water damage restoration company, though. Such experts are equipped with wet vacuums, industrial-grade fans, and pumps to remove water and dry indoor areas. Plus, they can discover hidden water damage and avert potential damage from mold growth.

First Steps After a Bathroom Flood

Immediately following extensive water damage or a flooded bathroom, consider these steps:

• Turn off your water supply. If the water damage stems from a single fixture, like an overflowing toilet or bathtub, there’s typically a shut-off valve behind the fixture to stop the flow of water and prevent further flooding. Otherwise, turn off water to the entire room/house to stop water from flowing.
• Shut off the electricity. Using the circuit breaker panel, turn off all electricity to the bathroom. Electrocution is the primary hazard in a flooded bathroom. An active outlet could easily electrocute anyone who steps into the water.
• Remove standing water. Using either professional restoration equipment or mops and old towels, try to remove some of the standing water to mitigate damage. Remove any soaked rugs or towels – take them out of the room completely.
• Circulate air. Open up the windows or place a few fans strategically to circulate the air in the flooded bathroom.

Despite following these steps to the letter, you may still require professional water damage restoration, and that’s OK – it’s certainly not a slight against what you just accomplished! Many times, however, the situation is just too severe to handle alone. And thankfully, in these cases, a professional is only one phone call away. Often, a restoration specialist can arrive at your home within the hour to assess the damage. From there, restoration efforts will begin promptly.

For professional water damage restoration, contact Restoration 1 of Mohave County. We are the leading provider of restoration services in our area, handling flooded bathrooms and more. Reach out to us at (928) 235-4193.