FAQ: What’s the Difference Between a Leak and an Overflow?

When your floor is suddenly soaked, it’s easy to panic. Whether it’s coming from your washing machine, dishwasher, or even your water heater, it matters how the water got out.

At Total Home Water Restoration, we get this question all the time:

What’s the difference between a leak and an overflow?

Here’s the straight answer:

• A leak is a slow, sneaky release of water. It usually comes from something like:

  • A cracked hose

  • A loose valve

  • A worn-out gasket or seal
    It can drip for hours or days before you even notice. By then, the damage could already be in the drywall, flooring, and framing.

• An overflow is sudden. It happens when the appliance fills too much and spills over. Common causes:

  • Clogged drain line on your washing machine

  • Someone left the bathtub running

  • Toilet keeps running and overflows the bowl
    This type of damage spreads quickly and needs immediate cleanup to avoid mold or structural problems.

What We Do About It

Whether it’s a slow leak or a fast overflow, our team handles the cleanup and repairs from top to bottom. Depending on how far the water traveled, we may need to:

• Pull up soaked flooring

• Dry out subfloors and framing

• Replace damaged drywall

• Sanitize and treat for mold

• Repair or rebuild affected rooms

We follow IICRC S500 standards for water damage restoration, and we’re trained to spot hidden damage most people miss.

Act Fast – Here’s Why It Matters

Water—no matter how clean it starts—becomes a problem fast:

• After 24-48 hours, mold growth can begin.

• Hidden water under flooring or behind walls can rot wood and ruin insulation.

• Insurance claims are easier to approve when you show fast response and proper documentation.

If you’re in Grove City, Columbus, or the surrounding areas, don’t wait. Call Tyler Zimmerman and the team at Total Home Water Restoration today.

Total Home Water Restoration

Address: 4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123
Phone: 380-246-1837
Owner: Tyler Zimmerman

From disaster to done right. We fix it like it’s our own home.