Risks of Water Damage in Your Wellington Kitchen

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

Catch leaks and floods in the kitchen early by knowing what to look for.

One of the most common culprits for water damage comes from problems with appliances or pipe problems in the kitchen. This room of the house sees a lot of activity and is prone to accidents. Below are the areas that cause the most water damage and how to prevent water emergencies in the kitchen.

Sink and Faucets

An irritating drip from your faucet could do more than slightly drive up the cost of a water bill. Leaking faucets can lead to large water losses. If the source of the leak is a gasket issue under the base of the faucet, water damage can occur to flooring and subflooring. Loose parts, broken seals and worn-down seals or washers can cause these leaks. Sometimes making a DIY repair can be more damaging than helpful. Hiring a plumber can help properly detect the leak source, while hiring a restoration company can assist with the water cleanup process.

Garbage Disposals

Garbage disposal can often cause leaks because the system and connectivity have issues. The flange, located where the disposal meets the sink, can leak when there is loose putty or screws. The connection between the dishwasher and the disposal can leak when there is a crack in the hose and sometimes, the unit itself has cracks. Other issues can occur with the gasket, power cord and side hole. To prevent damage to you garbage disposal system check for leaks yearly. Don’t overload the disposal with too much food and check the manufacturer guide to make sure you are not putting items that are not compatible. Clean the disposal weekly to prevent clogs.

Dishwasher

Float sensor malfunctioning can lead to an overflowing dishwasher. Leaking doors, dirty drain baskets, and damaged door gaskets could also contribute to leaking dishwashers. Turn off the electricity to the kitchen if the dishwasher has flooded. The fill and drain hoses that are hooked up to dishwashers often wear down and can cause leaks.

Refrigerator

Refrigerator lines often wear down and can visibly damaging the underneath of the refrigerator throughout the use. Broken water lines, clogged defrost drains, and ice maker malfunctions are frequent causes of water leaks from refrigerators. Many modern refrigerators are made with leak detection systems built in their system. These specific appliances will shut off the water when a leak is sensed.

While leaks can be a difficult thing to detect, once you notice there is a way to minimize the risk of the leaks before restoration and repair teams arrive to helps. Know where your water shut off valve is located. If you experience water damage, carefully determine if there are any electrical appliances were affected by the water intrusion before attempting preliminary cleanup. Call a certified restoration team from SERVPRO of West Palm Beach to make your kitchen look like it never even happened.