Successfully Resolving a Hidden Ensuite Bathroom Leak in an Unused Guest Bedroom: Our Expert Approach to Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most common emergency problems to happen in a home. A problem with water can be very stressful as, quite often, it needs to be urgently addressed in order to avoid structural damage, mold, mildew and musty smells.

Here, we take a look at a water damage job that Texas Certified Restoration was recently called out to deal with.

The source of water damage: below the toilet tank

As is the case with every example of water damage, it’s important to locate the source of the leak as quickly as possible in order to avoid additional widespread damage to your property.

Here, the damage caused was much greater and disproportionate to the size of the leak. As the leak came from the ensuite bathroom of an infrequently used guest bedroom, the damage was allowed to continue and spread much further and for much longer than it might otherwise would have been.

The problem originated from the toilet. Under the tank there are a number of bolts, which had either rusted or become loose, from which water had been continuously dripping - even though the toilet wasn’t in use. This made the toilet leak water damage hard to spot and allowed the water damage to spread into the adjoining bedroom.

Sodden carpet and trim removed

After ensuring that the leak had stopped, we had to assess how far the water had spread.

An initial visual inspection showed that water had passed into the bedroom, below the baseboards and into the carpet. So, with the owner’s permission, we lifted up and cut out the wet carpet.

Typically, at Texas Certified Restoration we wouldn’t do this. Because the leaking water came from the tank, it was considered clean water and therefore category 1. However, in this case, this owner wanted this carpet to be removed regardless.

The baseboards in the bedroom and around the back of the toilet in the bathroom were also removed, revealing that around a foot of the base of the door frame was also water damaged.

Action was required on the door frame, which was made of MDF (essentially compressed cardboard), so this meant that the bathroom door itself, along with the striker plate, screws and hinges, had to be removed and put to one side.

The door itself wasn’t damaged, so this can be used again later. However, the same cannot be said for the trim around the frame, which had to be discarded.

To avoid mildew and mold growth, it’s very common that drywall, insulation, floorboards, carpets and baseboards have to be scrapped and replaced.

Dehumidifiers and air movers installed

With the sodden parts removed, moisture meter readings still showed that the walls and floor were wet.

To combat this, we installed a dehumidifier and some air movers (fans) to remove the moisture from the room and replace it with dry, warm air.

And, after three days, the moisture meter readings showed 12.2% (anything below 16% is considered acceptable). Everything was dry again.

In the majority of cases, mold and mildew development can practically be eliminated if you can finish drying out your water damage within three to four days.

So, with the water damage remedied, all that was left to do was to clear out the equipment, sweep, vacuum, remove any stray nails and get out of the customer’s way.

About Texas Certified Restoration

If you’re in need of professional help, don't hesitate to give water damage restoration professionals like Texas Certified Restoration a call!

As your residence and business are your most valuable assets, make sure you hire the best-skilled personnel to deal with the consequences of emergency water damage. Using the services of specialists is an excellent way to deal with the issues that may develop as a result, avoiding consequences that can be very time-consuming and labor-intensive to resolve.

As moisture can creep into places you can't see or readily locate, employing experts with specialized equipment like moisture detectors, hygrometers and remote cameras can ensure that the job is done correctly.

Texas Certified Restoration is a water damage restoration company that offers emergency water damage cleanup in Greater Austin, Texas, around the clock. Our team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring that we respond to your requests quickly.

We make sure to handle your property as though it were our own, maintaining the highest standards of professional quality and safety. 



For emergency water damage restoration services in Greater Austin, Texas, contact Texas Certified Restoration at (254) 457-4877.