What should you do if a pipe in your bathroom floor or wall bursts? Water is leaking from your second-story bath into your first-floor living, dining, cooking, or play space–and you're not sure what to do about the standing water, peeling plaster, or other damage. If a bathroom pipe is more than just dripping into the floor below it, take a look at what you need to know about residential damage restoration.

What Should You Do First?

A pipe burst and is flooding your home. The first thing you need to do is stop the flow of water. If water continues to stream from the pipe, you will never get ahead of the mess. While it's tempting to line the floor below the bathroom with plastic and buckets or sop up puddles with a mop, a constant leak will only add more water to the mix. Find the main shut-off valve (this is typically in the basement or on the interior side of the water meter) and turn off the water supply.

Even though your bathroom fixtures should each have individual shut-offs, you may not know which one to use. The main shut-off stops the flow of water to every part of your home. This takes the guesswork out of finding the leak.

Along with the water, you may also need to turn off the electricity. A pipe that is leaking through a ceiling can affect the wiring inside of the walls and light fixtures. 

When Should You Call A Professional?

There are two types of professionals who you need to call ASAP—a plumber (to find the damage and repair or replace the broken pipe) and a home water damage restoration contractor. These professionals may need to work with each other to create a repair and replacement timeline. If the pipe isn't easily accessed or the damage makes it hard to reach, a residential disaster restoration contractor will need to come in and clear the area before a plumber can replace the pipe.

Call both professionals as soon as the pipe bursts—immediately after you turn off the water. If you can't find the shut-off valve, you will need to contact the plumber first. While you can use towels to clean up some of the standing water, extensive damage requires the knowledge and experience of a qualified restoration contractor. Not only can a restoration contractor remove the leftover water and damaged flooring, drywall, or plaster, but they can also take steps to prevent mold growth and keep your home safe during the bathroom/plumbing renovation process.  

For more information, contact a restoration company like Manta Construction & Restoration.