Take These 5 Steps After a Toilet Floods 2 Floors

10/14/2020 (Permalink)

Act fast and remain calm when a toilet at your commercial property overflows.

A flooded toilet likely isn’t part of your Layton, UT, business plan. That won’t stop it from happening, though. Ditto for floor, ceiling and sewer damage. Here’s what to do when a toilet floods multiple floors.

5 Steps To Follow AFter a Toilet Floods Multiple Floors

1. Turn the Water Off

Your first step is to stop the flow of water. Look for a shutoff valve near the commode. If you can’t find that, you’ll need to turn off the building’s water main.

2. Dry the Area

Use mops and towels to soak up any excess water on each affected floor. If mops won’t cut it, break out the shop vac. If the water is cloudy, don't touch it.

3. Remove Wet Ceiling and Floor Tiles

If the water is clear, your next step should be to remove flooring from the area around the toilet and ceiling tiles from the floor below. When a toilet overflow permeates the floor it typically soaks building materials and other structural features that, if left unattended, can develop mold.

4. Call in the Pros

If the water is not clear, sewer damage has likely contaminated the water. When this happens, you should leave cleanup to a sewage company or water damage restoration team. Water that contains sewage is called Category 3, or “black” water, because it can harbor a wide range of toxins and potentially harmful bacteria. A professional water damage company has the equipment, know-how and safety gear to rid your commercial property of contaminated water and secure it.

5. Repair Any Damages

You don’t have to spot black water on the premises to enlist the help of trained professionals, though. No matter where water originates, working with a water damage mitigation company is often the wisest way to restore your property. In addition to drying out and cleaning the affected areas, technicians will work quickly to return your workplace or rental property to its pre-flood condition by completing any necessary repairs.

When a toilet at your commercial property overflows, your first instinct may be to panic. By acting fast and remaining calm you can minimize sewer damage and lasting destruction to your building and its contents.