Bathroom Leak Repair After Water Damage: A Homeowner's Guide

When water starts showing up where it shouldn’t—in your bathroom—it doesn’t take long for small leaks to become big headaches. Whether it’s a failed wax ring under the toilet, a cracked shower pan, or a burst pipe behind the wall, water damage in a bathroom needs immediate attention. At Total Home Water Restoration, we help homeowners in Grove City and surrounding areas clean up, repair, and restore their homes after bathroom water damage.

Here’s what you need to know—and what to expect—if you’re dealing with a bathroom leak.

Step 1: Stop the Leak at the Source

Before anything can be repaired, the leak has to be stopped. Common bathroom leak culprits include:

• Supply lines under sinks and toilets

• Leaking shower pans or tiled curbs

• Overflowing or cracked tubs

• Damaged wax rings at toilet bases

• Hidden pipe bursts behind walls or under floors

If you can shut off the water yourself at the local valve—do it. Otherwise, turn off the main water supply and call a plumber ASAP. We can coordinate plumbing if needed.

Step 2: Water Damage Inspection and Drying

Once the leak is under control, it’s time to assess how bad the water damage really is. At Total Home Water Restoration, we check:

• Subfloor saturation (especially under vinyl or tile)

• Mold growth behind vanities or under tubs

• Water stains on ceilings below bathrooms

• Swollen or rotted drywall

• Loose or buckled flooring

We use moisture meters and thermal cameras to find hidden water. Then we get your bathroom dried out properly with commercial-grade dehumidifiers and air movers—per IICRC S500 standards.

Step 3: Bathroom Leak Repairs

With everything dry, we start repairs. This can include:

• Removing and replacing wet drywall and insulation

• Pulling and resetting the toilet with a new wax ring

• Replacing damaged subflooring (often OSB or plywood per IRC R503.2.1)

• Sealing shower pan leaks or redoing tile with proper waterproofing

• Installing new flooring (vinyl plank, ceramic, etc.)

• Painting and finishing to match the original look

We always use materials that meet code and work hard to blend the repairs into your existing finishes so it looks like the damage never happened.

Step 4: Mold Checks and Remediation if Needed

Bathrooms are humid by nature, so any water that gets trapped behind walls or under floors becomes a mold risk. If we find mold, we follow ANSI/IICRC S520 guidelines for safe remediation. That includes containment, HEPA air filtration, and removing contaminated materials safely.

Step 5: Insurance Support

Water damage claims can get tricky fast—especially in bathrooms, where damage may have started long before you noticed it. We can help:

• Document the damage for your adjuster

• Provide written estimates with photo evidence

• Work directly with your insurance company if needed

We’ve worked with homeowners all over Grove City, Columbus, Dublin, and more, and we know what insurance companies expect.

Real Example: Galloway Bathroom Leak

Last spring, we helped a family in Galloway who noticed their laminate floor was warping near the bathroom. Turns out the wax ring under their toilet had been leaking slowly for months. We:

• Removed the toilet and damaged flooring

• Treated the subfloor for mold

• Installed new LVP flooring and painted baseboards

• Reset the toilet and sealed the area properly

They were back to normal in under a week.

Call the Pros Before It Gets Worse

Bathroom leaks don’t fix themselves. If you see:

• Soft or buckled flooring

• Musty odors

• Peeling paint or bubbling walls

• Water stains on ceilings below

…call us. The sooner we start, the less damage you’ll deal with.

📍 Total Home Water Restoration
4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123
📞 380-246-1837

We fix it like it’s our own home.

[FAQ]

How do I know if the leak is from the shower or the toilet?
Start by looking for moisture or staining around the base of each fixture. If it only happens during showers, suspect the pan or tile. If it’s ongoing, it may be a toilet or pipe issue.

Can I use the bathroom while it’s being repaired?
Usually, yes. We isolate the affected areas so you can still use other fixtures when safe.

Will my insurance cover bathroom leak repairs?
Most policies cover sudden water damage, but not long-term leaks or lack of maintenance. We can help you document the cause and submit a claim.