How Water Damage Around the Vanity Gets Fixed Right

When water leaks under or around a bathroom vanity, it rarely stops there. What looks like a damp cabinet bottom or warped toe-kick often hides deeper damage. At Total Home Water Restoration, we’ve seen how quickly a slow leak can turn into moldy subfloors, swollen drywall, or even structural problems if left untreated.

Here’s how we fix it right—the first time.

1. We Find the Source and Stop It

Most vanity leaks come from:

• Failed supply lines or shutoff valves

• Loose P-traps or drain seals

• Overflows from clogs or sink mishaps

We don’t just clean up the mess—we track the moisture back to the root cause. That might mean cutting into drywall, testing the vanity for saturation, or using thermal imaging to spot hidden damage in nearby walls.

2. We Assess Moisture Spread with the Right Tools

Moisture likes to travel. Just because the cabinet looks dry doesn’t mean the wall studs or flooring underneath are safe. We follow IICRC S500 standards for water damage inspections:

• Use moisture meters to scan baseboards, drywall, and flooring

• Map out wet areas to determine how far water has migrated

• Look for signs of mold or structural soft spots

In Grove City, we’ve pulled out vanities where the subfloor had rotted straight through—simply because no one checked under the surface.

3. We Remove What Can’t Be Saved

If water has soaked into particleboard cabinet bases or vinyl-wrapped MDF, replacement is usually the best move. Same with drywall behind the vanity that shows signs of swelling or mold. We follow Ohio code and EPA guidelines when cutting out affected materials.

We keep the tear-out clean and contained—especially in homes where people are still living during repairs.

4. We Dry the Area Thoroughly

We don’t rely on air alone. Depending on the extent of damage, we may set up:

• Dehumidifiers to pull moisture from the air

• Air movers to increase evaporation across surfaces

• HEPA filtration if mold is present or suspected

Drying isn’t complete until our moisture meters say so. Skipping this step is why some quick fix jobs end up failing a few months later.

5. We Rebuild with Care

Once the area is dry and clean, we replace what’s needed—drywall, trim, vanity base, or flooring. We only use materials rated for moist areas and follow proper installation techniques, including:

• Cement board or moisture-resistant drywall

• Caulking around vanity bases to block future seepage

• Back-priming wood components in bathrooms

If the subfloor is soft or sagging, we check joists and framing for water damage and fix it right.

Serving Grove City and Beyond

Whether you’re in Grove City, Hilliard, or Upper Arlington, we bring the same care and attention to every bathroom restoration. No guesswork. No shortcuts. Just solid, code-compliant repairs that protect your home long-term.

Need Help with Bathroom Water Damage?

Call Tyler Zimmerman at Total Home Water Restoration at 380-246-1837. We’re local, licensed, and ready to help—because we fix it like it’s our own home.

4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123