How to Deal with a Flooded Kitchen
Most homeowners dread a flooded kitchen. It damages cabinets, floors, and electrical appliances. Knowing how to handle a kitchen flood quickly prevents you from such an instance in the future and saves you resources. This article by https://www.plumbersingapore.org/ will focus on the procedures to follow if the kitchen floods.
Act Promptly to Limit Damage
Switch off the water supply within the area so that no more water is coming into the affected area. In places where flooding occurred due to a busted pipe, find the primary valve in the house and shut it off. Pull out any electrical devices or appliances that may pose electrical threats if they are safe. Please do not walk on water collected on the floor since it could be dirty and make you sick. Some cases require that a little bit of patience be exercised. However, this is different from one of them.
Eliminate Any Collection of Water
Start with the area that has the least amount of water. You can now commence the removal of standing water, provided the flooding is not extensive. Apply a wet/dry vac if available on hand. Wipe out as much water as possible from the surfaces. It is best to use mops and buckets to sop up the water without a vacuum. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and boots to shield against any forms of contamination. Once the vacuumed water is out, open the windows and doors to increase the airflow and decrease the time to dry the area.
Eliminate All Dampness
Once all the water has been removed, the following relevant action is to dry the area thoroughly. Take off any wet carpeting, rags, or matting and put them somewhere to allow for drying out of water. Excess moisture on your cabinets or flooring surfaces can be removed by taking ticks and wiping them. Allow the doors to remain open so that air can circulate.
Check for Signs of Mold
When the area has dried enough, someone may also want to check for any potential presence of mold or mildew. Look for alterations of color or signs of humidity, especially in corners or other less visible areas. Any growth of this kind should be wiped out using either a mixture of water and vinegar or other commercial products as soon as you see them. Putting on both masks and gloves while dealing with mold and mildew is advisable since they are a health hazard. Those items heavily infested with these forms of fungi must be hired experts like https://www.plumbersingapore.org/kitchen-flood-repair/ to deal with.
Assess Flood-Affected Items
Having dealt with moisture and mold problems, all flooded objects should be examined particularly closely. Inspect your appliances, cabinets, and countertops for any damage. Some cabinets may become sticky and swollen due to absorbing moisture and, hence, need to be replaced.
Repair or Replace Compromised Components
Experts recommend that if the kitchen has sustained damage, the affected part may be repaired or replaced. Areas with minor damage, such as the cabinets and floors, can be sanded, painted, or stained. On the other hand, there may be a complete overhaul if the cabinet is badly damaged.
Prevent Future Flooding
Once you have cleared up the kitchen after a flood, you must take measures against such flooding occurring again. Prevent such accidents by inspecting your plumbing and other appliances for leaks and repairing them promptly. Put a water alarm close to the sink or dishwasher, which can help prevent more severe leaks. Waterproof materials are needed in flooded areas, such as under sinks or surrounding dishwaters. In seeing that there is adherence to the schedule is done, problems that could be potentially very costly are avoided.