A kitchen flood can quickly become a homeowner’s worst nightmare. From the moment it occurs, the homeowner knows that broken appliances, insurance paperwork, and potentially long-lasting issues are in their future. In addition, it can be very difficult to cook food or clean your dishes knee-deep in floodwaters. When a kitchen flood occurs, you need to act quickly to mitigate damage, prevent severe water damage and mold growth, and get your kitchen back in working condition.
Shut Off Water, Gas, and Electric
The first thing to do is to shut off the power to prevent any dangerous electrical shocks that could result from coming in contact with the water. It is also important to shut off the gas if there are any gas appliances in the kitchen, as the water can have a negative effect on them.
Next, identify where the leak is coming from and, if possible, turn the water off at the closest point. Common locations are the dishwasher’s water pipe, under kitchen sinks, and any other water supply sources.
If you are unable to identify the sources of the leak or the appropriate shut-off valve, you may need to use your home’s main shut-off valve. This will shut off the water to your entire home in order to stop the leak.
Begin Drying the Kitchen
Now that the leak is stopped, it is time to begin getting everything dry. So start by removing anything that may be sensitive to water damage, such as carpets, wooden furnishings, appliances, and food in the room. You can then wipe the exterior dry and place them in a well-ventilated area to dry out.
Next, begin mopping the floor, or better yet, if possible, use a wet vacuum to make fast work of the water. However, be careful to avoid turning on the electricity if there is any potential for water to contact an electrical outlet or appliance. This will take care of the bulk of the water, and from here, if it was a relatively minor leak, you can complete the process by setting up high powered fans at each of the four corners of the room to create a cross-current of air to speed up the drying process to minimize the chances of mold growth. A dehumidifier can also help to speed up the process as well. If you are absolutely certain that there is no mold growth, feel free to run the air conditioner to help speed up the drying as well.
Call In the Professionals
If your kitchen has suffered from a severe flood, then chances are that it will suffer from severe water damage. When this occurs, it will require professional restoration services in order to address the damage and prevent mold growth. Make sure to take photos as soon as the flood has occurred and throughout the restoration process to act as evidence for your insurance company. Contact a restoration service as soon as possible after the flooding to minimize damage and the potential for mold growth and get the restoration process started.
Final Thoughts
If you have to deal with a flooded kitchen, it can be stressful and costly but responding quickly to stop the leak, remove the water, and begin the drying process can save you thousands of dollars in repairs down the line. It is also important to know when to call in the professionals to help restore your kitchen to save your kitchen from severe water damage and mold growth.
Contact Us
If your kitchen has suffered from a flood, then contact the professionals at Restore Pro. Our team is ready to help you prevent further damage, repair or replace water-damaged materials, and prevent mold growth. Call us at 1-800-847-0114 and connect with us on Facebook.