If you suddenly see water spreading across the bathroom floor, the safest first step is to find and stop the source as quickly as possible. That usually means turning off the tap or shower if it’s running, flushing only once if the toilet is involved, and if necessary, using the nearest shut-off valve for that fixture.

If you can’t immediately tell where it’s coming from, or water is clearly rising from a pipe, try to turn off the bathroom’s local valve (if you have one) or the home’s main water supply. Stopping the flow matters more than mopping at that moment.

At the same time, think about electricity. If water is moving toward electrical outlets, heaters, or exposed cables, don’t walk barefoot into deep water. If it looks risky, turn off power at the main switch before dealing with the mess.

Once the source is stopped and it’s safe, you can start containing the water with towels, wipers and buckets. The quicker you act, the less damage spreads to nearby rooms, furniture and downstairs neighbours in apartments.