Waking up to a kitchen flood is not the ideal way to start the day. Sinks and faucets, refrigerators, garbage disposals, and dishwashers are the most common culprits of unexpected flooding. Broken pipes, clogs, and leaks are usually to blame. Here’s how to keep the water under control.
Causes of Kitchen Flooding
The kitchen faucet. There are several places along the water supply line to your sink that can spring a leak. These include corroded pipes, worn-out gaskets or washers, a cracked or poorly sealed faucet, and a loosely connected P-trap. Kids who enjoy tugging on the sink sprayer can damage it and loosen connections.
The garbage disposal. This useful gadget can leak where it connects to the sink or drain. Leaks can also occur where the dishwasher drain pipe attaches to the garbage disposal.
A plugged up drain. When water comes up through the kitchen sink drain, there’s most likely a clog. A blockage in the P-trap below your sink can cause wastewater to go in the wrong direction.
The dishwasher. While it’s a beneficial feature, if a dishwasher leaks, water will spill out through the door or from underneath. Leaks can also be subtle and go unnoticed for some time. A warped or soft floor by the appliance and wet spots are signs of a problem.
The refrigerator. Broken water lines can lead to leaks and water damage. Gaskets can also fail. Waterline failures can cause major flooding in short periods of time.
Water pipes. On very cold days, the pipes under the kitchen sink can freeze and burst, causing significant water damage. If the pipes stay intact, the frozen water can compromise connections and cause leaks.
Kitchen Flood Prevention Tips
Here are some action steps you can take to help prevent kitchen flooding.
Keep the kitchen sink flowing. Clogs are commonly caused by food scraps that go down the drain; fat, oil, and grease that solidifies; human hair and fallen objects. Invest in a drain cover to keep unwanted stuff out.
Clean the dishwasher. Remove any loose food particles that can build up over time. Also, check for clogs, a worn door seal, or a broken or loose water hose.
Inspect water dispensers and ice makers. These refrigerator features can cause unexpected kitchen flooding. A loose water line hose and cracks in the plastic pipe are often to blame.
Fancy sink gadgets. These modern conveniences can pose problems. For instance, some items should never be ground up in a garbage disposal. Coffee grounds, eggshells, and potato peels are better left for the compost pile. If you spot water under your sink, check your water filtration system for leaks.
Let Us Repair the Damage
When it comes to water, flood, or fire damage, Flood Department is here to help. We provide water damage repair and clean-up services for homeowners and businesses. Our service area covers Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C. We are dedicated to helping reverse the damage done by water, mold, sewage, smoke, and more. Contact us at 301-829-2600 or visit us online.
