Coming home to a flooded kitchen can be an unpleasant surprise as you immediately start thinking about how much this problem will cost to fix. While the feeling can be frustrating, there are actually a number of steps you can take to eliminate extra time and costs when it comes to making the repairs and restoring the water damage. However, if you are able to make the repairs yourself, it is still important to have the area inspected by a professional to ensure that the problem does not return in the future.

Follow these steps to save time and costs when addressing a flooded kitchen:

Eliminate the Source

• Shut off the water. The shutoff valve is usually located in the basement or outside by the water meter. If you cannot find it or are not able to turn it off, call your local plumber for help.
• Protect furniture and furnishings. If you have any rugs, remove them from the floor and hang them to dry to prevent mold growth. Pin up any furniture skirts and prop up any cushions and/or pillows. If possible, remove the kitchen table and chairs that have contact with the water to prevent the moisture from traveling upwards and damaging the wood. If you are not able to move them, place a piece of aluminum foil between the legs and floor.
• Turn off electricity if necessary. If you smell gas or see sparks, turn off the main circuit breaker. If you notice both, don’t hesitate to get out of the house and call the fire department right away.

Flood Cleanup

What causes kitchen flooding?

Kitchens can flood for numerous reasons, some of which are out of the homeowner’s control. Overflowing sinks, for example, are just one cause of a kitchen flood. Clogs can send wastewater back up through the sink drain and into the kitchen.

Furthermore, kitchen faucets can leak when the pipes around the water supply line become corroded. Pipes can loosen or crack, and even new PVC pipes are vulnerable to developing small cracks. When gaskets wear out along areas where the pipe meets the faucet, leaks and subsequent flooding can occur.

Floods from natural disasters are never in a homeowner’s control. The kitchen is likely not the only place the floodwaters from a natural disaster will affect; other rooms in the house will be under a few inches of water when a hurricane, river flood, or flash flood hits.

Appliances, too, can malfunction or spring a leak, sending water into the kitchen and causing dampness beneath the cabinets. Dishwashers, for instance, handle large capacities. A clogged drain or worn door seal can send water out of the appliance and onto the kitchen floors.

How should homeowners respond to kitchen flooding?

When the sink overflows, it’s likely due to a clog. Clogs usually occur in the P-trap under the sink at the junction of the dishwasher or garbage disposal. Plunging the sink is an advisable first step. Alternately, a homeowner can pour boiling water down the sink to dissolve the clog.

When using a drain cleaner, it’s important to use a natural cleaner to avoid corroding the drainpipes. Upon removing the standing water, pour one cup of baking soda down the drain followed by one cup of white vinegar. Allow the solution to sit for one hour, then rinse.

Garbage stuck in the pipes can be removed using a handy tool called the plumber’s snake. If the sink does not have a garbage disposal, run the snake directly through the pipes. Remove the P-trap if the sink has a garbage disposal and run it through into the trap arm.

When a pipe leak is suspected, the homeowner should inspect the plumbing system in an effort to locate the leak. A homeowner who is unable to pinpoint the leak is advised to consult a plumber to make sure the leak is not coming from a pipe deep inside the walls.

How to clean up kitchen flood?

If the flooded area is not severe, you may be able to dry it out yourself with a mop and bucket; however, for larger areas, don’t hesitate to call a water damage restoration professional. In addition, if you can see that the problem has been ongoing for a few days or more, you will want to contact a mold remediation professional as it is likely that the fungus has developed over time. But while waiting for the technicians to arrive, you can get a head start on the drying process by taking the following steps:

• Remove all excess water. If you have a shop vac that is able to remove water, this would be the most efficient tool. Otherwise, a mop and a bucket will be handy.
• Increase air flow. After the excess water has been removed, it is likely that the building materials and furnishings are still wet. To dry them out, turn on the air conditioner or dehumidifier. If weather conditions are dry, open the exterior windows to allow for additional air to circulate the property. However, if sewage water has seeped into the air conditioning unit, do not use it.
• Open drawers and cabinets. Moisture can easily accumulate within these smaller areas; be sure that they are all open to allow dry air to flow throughout the space.
• Avoid damaged electrical items. If any kitchen appliances, such as the toaster, blender, microwave, oven, etc. have been damaged by the water, do not use them. Have them inspected by a professional to determine if they are safe to reuse.
• Do not lay down magazines or newspaper. Although paper is quick to retain water, the ink will quickly bleed onto the floor and cause a bigger mess.
• Dry off wet furniture. If any upholstery has been damaged from the water, wipe them down thoroughly. But be careful when drying off wood furniture; this type of material becomes severely weakened after having contact with water.
• Dishwasher Flooding Repairs

The majority of kitchen floods are caused by a malfunctioning dishwasher. Especially if the problem is not treated right away, such as finding it after returning from a vacation, the repair costs can put a major dent in a bank account.

Unfortunately, there are a number of reasons why it can experience problems, one being the buildup of food along the seal when the baskets are pulled out. Over time, leaks will occur on the bottom of the unit around the door hinges. If you have noticed this buildup, you can easily remove it with a sponge, a few drops of detergent, and a little vinegar. But if it has already grown into a bigger problem, you can take these steps to address a flooded kitchen.

How to fix a flooded dishwasher:

1. Shut off the circuit breaker. The most important step you can take is not to panic because time will be a significant factor when determining the costs. If you can, shut off the appliance, or turn off the circuit breaker.
2. Remove debris. One of the many reasons that may be causing the appliance to flood is that the drain tube is blocked. Try to remove as much debris as you can and see if it works properly afterwards. If not, you will need to fix or repair the water hose that runs from the unit to the kitchen sink.
3. Repair or replace hose. This part may not be as difficult as you think. To find the hose, remove as much excess water from the appliance as you can. Once you find it, disconnect it and put it under the faucet of your kitchen sink, allowing water to run through it. If you notice any leaks or that the water doesn’t flow easily, you may have to replace it.
4. Install new or repaired hose. After you have bought a new hose or have repaired your old one, install it in the dishwasher again and turn the water to see if the problem persists. If so, call your local plumber.

Dishwasher Flooding Prevention

After experiencing a flooded kitchen caused by your dishwasher, you may want to take these steps to avoid this problem from reoccurring in the future.

1. Check detergent brand and amount used. When using too much detergent, it can create blockages within the hose.
2. Load dishes properly. When loading dishes improperly, they can hold excess water and spill through the door vent, causing the appliance to malfunction.
3. Inspect the door gasket. If you notice any signs of water seeping through the door edges, this is the first sign that the door gasket needs to be replaced. Otherwise, the door just needs to be tightened.

How to Clean Wet Cabinets in a Flooded Kitchen

A flood caused by any of the abovementioned scenarios will lead to water damaged kitchen cabinets. Cleaning the water damaged cabinets right away is important since water damage spreads quickly. Whether the cabinets are made of wood or plywood, proper cleaning tactics help salvage them.

Upon removing the standing water, remove the cabinet doors and dry them with a household fan. Keep the cabinet doors flat to prevent warping. The cabinets should also be dried—however, with multiple high-volume fans and a dehumidifier that run over the course of one full day.

The cabinets will likely be water stained from the kitchen flood. Water stains on wood can be effectively removed using a mix of oxalic acid and water. Prior to applying the oxalic acid, the wooden cabinets should be sanded to remove the finish.

Brush the oxalic acid solution over the water stains and let it dry. Minor stains require one coat, while tougher stains need two. After the stain is removed, neutralize the acid by washing the cabinets with a half cup baking soda and one gallon water. Rinse clean and let dry.

Refinishing the cabinets may be necessary after water damage. Remove the existing finish by lightly sanding the cabinets. Clean them with a damp rag and air dry. Apply a protective sealant, then a coat of stain. Protect the wood with a final topcoat or finish coat.

Denatured alcohol can alternately be used to lift stubborn water stains from the cabinets. Be careful to avoid saturating the cloth with the denature alcohol. Instead, pass a cloth dampened with the solution over the stain to evaporate the moisture but leave the finish intact. Buff with a wax polish.

Paste wax is another option for lifting water stains from kitchen cabinets. Using a clean cloth, apply the paste wax to the water stains on the wooden cabinets. After applying the paste wax, clean the cabinets by wiping the surfaces with a clean cloth and bringing out the shine.

While there are a number of steps you can take to prevent floods, it is impossible to prevent them altogether, due to the significant number of possible sources. But it is important to take action as soon as you notice any signs of leaks to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Contact a Flood Cleanup Professional

Discovering a flood in the kitchen or anywhere else in the home is a frustrating experience for any homeowner. Water damage tends to spread quickly, so it is critical to address the problem right away. Make sure you call a trusted water damage restoration service.

Professional flood cleanup services include extracting all traces of excess water from the flooded property. They also offer pack-out services to save items that have been damaged by the flood. Industrial strength drying equipment is utilized to ensure the entire home is thoroughly dry.

Professional technicians are highly skilled and experienced in all phases of water damage cleanup. Crews are IICRC certified and respond quickly to water damage emergencies. Specialists are also available to assist homeowners when filing flood damage insurance claims.

Professionals provide comprehensive flood damage cleanup services no matter what caused the flooding. Their efficient crews have responded to floods caused by sump pump overflows, natural disasters, burst pipes and malfunctioning appliances. They will return your home to its pre-loss condition fast.