The kitchen is an important area of the house where fresh and hot meals are prepared daily to feed your taste buds and hungry stomach. It is a place where you can spend a considerable amount of time returning from the office after a hectic day. But kitchens are also prone to water damage due to leakage, cracks, or damages. Water damage or leakage in your kitchen can be a frustrating issue, limiting your movements and ability to prepare meals. Below is the step-by-step process of how to fix water damage in your kitchen and also perform mold removal. It may or may not require a professional sometime but you need to be aware of the process.
Identifying The Source Of Water Damage
The first part of fixing water damage in a kitchen is finding the source of water damage. The reason is that it could raise serious concerns. A complication faced by most homeowners when it comes to kitchen leakages is identifying the real cause of water damage.
It could be a damaged floor, a dripping ceiling, or a cracked or broken pipe underneath the floor. The problem with identifying the water leakage source is that water tends to travel to different areas, which could make it difficult to find the real source of the leakage.
For instance, the leakage might be taking place from the ceiling but you might think it is in the floor observing the water droplets. That said, you might have to go deep into finding where the water is leaking from. Otherwise, you will end up wasting your time and effort. If possible, consult an expert who can help you find the source as well.
Assessing The Extent Of The Damage
Once you have determined the cause of water leakage, you should assess the extent or intensity of the damage. You will need to look for signs of peeling paint, water stains, or bulging walls. All these signs give you an idea of how extreme the issue is.
Sometimes, water leakages go unnoticed in plain sight. You might have a water leakage on the front wall but may not be observed simply because you are not looking for it unless you find water seeping on the floor. At the same time, you should also look for signs of mold.
If you find some, it means the problem has been there for a while. If the water leakage is taking place from the ceiling, you will also need to inspect the cabinets. It is necessary to conduct a thorough assessment to ensure there aren’t other minor leakages elsewhere.
Gather Tools & Contain The Damage
Water leakage in your kitchen especially on the floor can be a shock hazard. Home appliances like refrigerators have power supplies on the floor that could result in electrocution if water happens to come in contact. This is why you should first wear safety equipment and cut off electricity and gas supply.
Plus, you should not forget to wear a mask if there is mold. Mold particles are also airborne so anyone in that room will inhale it, which can cause respiratory issues. Then, you should grab the necessary tools and chemicals to contain and fix the damage.
With the water leakage spot in sight, you should dry the surrounding area and cover the leakage using a sealant or a bit of cement. Once that is done, you should also check the cabinets and other areas to ensure there aren’t other water leakages as well.
Once that is done you should let the solution dry for a few days and observe if the leakage has stopped.
How To Remove Standing Water And Excess Moisture?
Removing standing water and excess moisture is an essential part of the process. In addition to drying up the floor by using towels and other absorbing materials, you should open the windows and doors to allow circulation. Turn on the fans and dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process as well.
If you have portable fans or fans that can be adjusted, you should make them face the leaking area so that it dries faster. On the other hand, dehumidifiers also help remove excess humidity from the air and prevent the risk of mold growth and water damage.
You need to keep in mind that water damage to the cabinets can be an expensive issue to fix. This is why it is stressed to thoroughly inspect the leaking area. If the water leakage has been there for a while, it might be that the wood is compromised as well and you will need to get it replaced. As there may be mold as well, you should consider mold remediation Rockville.
Cleaning And Disinfecting
Disinfecting the area is as important as identifying the source of the leakage. You should consider yourself lucky if the water leakage is accessible. Otherwise, water leakages tend to take place in areas that make it nearly impossible to reach let alone fix.
If the water leakage is in a complicated place such as behind the cabinets, you will need to remove them. Keep in mind that just drying the area won’t solve the problem but you need to disinfect it as well. Fixing the leakage and drying the area does not kill mold and bacterial growth.
For cleaning and disinfecting the area, you will need to use special mixtures and tools. You will need to use the chemicals on all the surfaces affected by the water leakage. Since mold tends to grow in moist environments, you will need to remove any sources for a while that increase the moisture level in the kitchen as well.
Removing Water Stains And Odors
Water stains and odors in the kitchen can irritate you even after fixing the water leakage. Not only can they be unpleasant but also visually unappealing. To tackle this issue, you will need to mix equal parts of baking soda and water to create a paste and apply it to the stained areas. Let it sit for a few hours before rinsing.
Once the area has dried after rinsing, you will need to repaint the area to fix the patch. Then again, the countertops, floors, or cabinets might be affected due to leakage and you will need to consult a professional about whether they need replacement or repairs. If your kitchen renovation is due, then you should do that now.
What To Consider When Hiring A Professional For Repairs?
If for some reason you are not able to fix or find the leakage on your own, you should consider hiring a professional. But considering there are numerous options out there, it could become complicated for you to pick the right one. As a start, you can ask around your friends and family members for referrals.
Secondly, you can look over the internet and find some options close to your home. You can personally visit them or consult them over the phone. Ask them a few technical questions to observe their experience and skills. Plus, consider someone who carries insurance, a license, and is registered with the state. Once that is done, cross-compare the options and pick the one that offers the best package.
Conclusion
Fixing water damage in the kitchen can be time-consuming. But if you knew where to start and what to do, you would be in a far better position instead of not knowing what to do. Additionally, you should also consult a plumber and a water damage restoration Gaithersburg expert if the issue seems beyond your control. Although, they will charge for their services, but you won’t experience a leak from the same area again. And, if there are additional leaks that you weren’t aware of, the professional will fix them too.