Kitchen Sink Leaks Mean Big Water Damage Restoration Problems

Your kitchen is the heart of your home: so much time is spent there cooking, eating and enjoying the company of family and friends. And within the heart of the kitchen are a variety of pipes, water lines and appliances that use water. Obviously this is the place where the most water is probably used in your kitchen, so it can create the biggest risk for water damage. 

At some point of your home’s life, you will find a leak from the sink. If the leak has happened a while ago, it is likely that there is water damage inside the cabinet housing of the drain. Look under there behind all those cleaning supplies, towels and other random items. Or call Stover’s for a thorough inspection, as well as some proactive steps you can take to minimize the risk of water damage happening in your kitchen in the future.

Garbage Disposal Issues

If the drain seal between the sink and the disposal itself deteriorates, or if the disposal’s drain hose comes loose, water can spill inside the kitchen cabinet. Your water supply lines to the faucet, and possibly your dishwasher, are also located under the sink, so it can be hard to figure out the exact site of the problem.. Fixing the issue might be as simple as tightening a loose connection on a fitting. But if you’re not sure where the leak is coming from, it’s time to call a professional service provider like Stover’s to help you assess the damage.

Wood Rotting in Cabinet Floors

It’s not the water that rots floors; the real problem is fungi. Wood that is untreated, or not covered with a protective layer of water resistant material tends to rot if it does not dry quickly.  As the fungi activate from excess water, it begins to eat away at the proteins and sugars within the wood which leads to rotting.

Wood Warping After Kitchen Sink Leaks

Like other substances, wood expands as it absorbs water. Plus, many basic cabinets are MDF (medium density fiberboard) which absorb even more water. Badly soaked MDF and  plywood buckles as its layers split and splinter. Then, neither product dries fast or evenly, making them prone to warp and buckle.  

Next, these wet cabinets  spread water damage to other areas of the kitchen since moisture wicks into dry cabinets, baseboards, flooring and drywall. So the sooner you get the Stover’s team to work, the better.

Beware Of Mold And Mildew Growth

A kitchen sink leak can give both of these fungi the water they need to thrive: moisture, poor air circulation and lack of sunlight.  And this growth happens fast; mold can start growing in 24-48 hours. And if you’ve had this leak awhile, you should probably expect some extra effort to remove mold and prevent future growth. 

Who Pays?

• If the kitchen water damage was the result of a sudden and accidental event then insurance companies will pay for water damage cleanup and restoration to any affected areas, like cabinets, floors, and walls. They might even cover an entire home remodel. Each insurance policy is different, so it’s best to call your insurance agent and see what’s covered or not.

Stover’s Restoration Serves Wichita

After water damage, the clean up and restoration can be exhausting, emotional and even dangerous. Offload some of the stress to professionals. Stover’s can evaluate water damage, assess the extent of needed repairs, prepare an accurate estimate and provide cleanup. For over 30 years, Stover’s Restoration has been one of the most trusted and respected names in water damage restoration in south central Kansas.