Flooded Kitchen: What To Do

Safety First: Stop the Leak and Shut Off the Power

Your first step is to locate the origin of the leakage and shut it off. Check your faucet, air conditioning system, and water purifier filters for leaks. It would be best if you also examined the following:

• Under and around the dishwasher. You may need to remove the screws to pull it out.
• Under and around the kitchen sink.
• Behind your refrigerator, if it has a built-in ice maker or water dispenser.
• All other water sources.

If you cannot pinpoint where the water leak is coming from, stop the water line in your kitchen by using the master water shut-off valve. Depending on your type of valve, shutting it off may be as simple as turning the handle clockwise until the water stops. You may need to contact a plumber if you cannot control the water leak, especially if you are dealing with a broken pipe.

Once you stop the water leaking onto your kitchen floor, immediately turn off your power. Mixing electricity and flood water increases the risk of electrocution. You will also need to turn off your gas supply since water on your kitchen floor can negatively affect your gas stove.

A restoration professional will tell you when it is safe to turn your power on again. If you notice sparking or smell gas at any time, leave your home and call the fire department immediately. Wait for the fire department’s all-clear to reenter your home.

How to Dry a Flooded Kitchen

Begin the drying process by removing your carpeting, furniture, groceries, appliances, and personal items from the room. If your kitchen table and chairs are wooden, they could be susceptible to water damage from moisture traveling upwards into the wood. You have a better chance of preserving your kitchen belongings if you wipe them down and store them in a well-ventilated area to dry.

Once your belongings are out, start mopping your floor and laying down towels. The towels will help soak up the excess water on the floor. Remember to pay special attention to drying your appliances and wall sockets to avoid a fire hazard.

For a minor water leak with little to no water damage, you can finish the drying process by keeping your kitchen cabinets open and going over your kitchen floor with a wet-dry vacuum, a dehumidifier, and some high-powered fans. To save your floor from mold growth, set up the fans in the four corners of your kitchen. This fan arrangement will create cross-currents for a quicker drying time.

If it is cool outside, you can also open your windows to lessen the humidity in the room. Run your HVAC only if you are sure you do not have mold growth. Your flooded kitchen may take a couple of days to dry thoroughly.

What to Do if You Have Water Damage

Salvaging your kitchen from significant water damage requires professional cleaning services and a qualified maintenance specialist. Contact your insurance company to have an adjuster examine the severity of the damage. Depending on your homeowner’s insurance, your insurance company may help cover the repair costs.

Take photos and videos of the water damage immediately following the flooding and throughout the restoration process. Your homeowner’s insurance may use them to assess the situation. Your photos may also function as evidence in case of resulting issues in the future.

Contact a Water Damage Restoration Company

If left unchecked, flood damage rapidly leads to mold buildup. It only takes 24 to 48 hours after a kitchen flood for mold damage to set in. Act quickly to save your kitchen floor from buckling, and contact a water damage restoration company.

A flood restoration professional will ensure that your flooded kitchen is clear of any standing water. Professionals come with expert advice and advanced equipment, such as heavy-duty fans and an industrial-strength dehumidifier.

A mold remediation specialist will also identify water damage that is not easily visible, such as trapped moisture. They will assess any bubbling pockets of water in your walls, door frame, ceiling, baseboards, and floor.

A water damage restoration company will replace or repair any parts of your kitchen that have taken damage, including your kitchen cabinets or drywall. Repair specialists can also inspect the safety of your kitchen appliances and approve them for use.

When working with professionals and their moisture detection tools, you guarantee that everything from your laminate floor to your countertops and kitchen cabinets will be water damage-free.

How to Prevent Another Kitchen Flood

Regularly checking your pipes is a solid strategy to prevent more kitchen flooding. Make sure to take extra precautions during cold weather. The influx of colder water can cause your pipes to contract and burst.

Other ways to reduce the risk of kitchen flooding include:

• Gently clean behind your refrigerator so that you do not upset the water supply line
• Replacing the plastic water line of your ice maker with copper or steel

If your dishwasher is the leaky culprit, you should reevaluate how much detergent you use. Too much detergent can cause a blockage in the hose. Forgetting to replace your dishwasher’s door gasket, forgoing routine tightening of your dishwasher’s door, and improperly loading the dishes can also cause water leaks.

For the quickest reaction time in case of a flood, store your tools and supplies near your pipes and appliances. You can also invest in water leak detection systems for better peace of mind.

Ultimately, the best way to recover from flooding is to contact the flood restoration professionals at Total Restoration of Texas. We respond quickly and stick with you until we fix your flooded home.