COMMON CAUSES OF KITCHEN WATER DAMAGE IN YAKIMA

Yakima Water Damage Risks

Over the past few months, we have all spent more time at home in Yakima. Now, more than ever, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Clean Image Services, Inc. want to help you protect your home (and your family) from water damage. Give them a call if you see or suspect any of the following:

Plumbing Leaks

In modern homes, the number of water lines has almost doubled over the last century. Luxury homes often have two sinks. Refrigerators have water and ice makers, which add even more plumbing lines. More points of access lead to more points of failure. 

Another source of water damage is even simpler– don’t get distracted and allow the sink to overflow. Be thorough about identifying the source of any leaks. Get a plumber or water damage cleanup crew to investigate and fix any plumbing problems. 

Appliances

A malfunctioning appliance is a sure path to water damage. Many kitchen floods are caused by a broken refrigerator ice maker water supply connection. The typical plastic water supply line degrades and cracks; replace the inexpensive plastic with a copper or stainless steel line that offers better durability. The supply line may become kinked or break if the refrigerator is shoved too close to the wall or pulled too far from the wall; the water line or connection could be over-stressed and may rupture.

A dishwasher water line may slowly and silently degrade, leaking into the enclosed space underneath the appliance, then rupture entirely. If your dishwasher fails, it can send 20 gallons of water onto your kitchen floor. Inspect under the kick plate when you mop.  

Under-Sink Filter Systems

With the scandal in Flint, Michigan, many homeowners don’t trust the municipal water supply. Now, residential filtration technology has developed to the point that you take control of the quality of your tap water. Under-sink filter system installed in the cabinet beneath the kitchen sink may include water quality accessories such as canister filters or a reverse-osmosis filtration unit. But be diligent about checking for leaks, drips or the smell of mildew.

Garbage Disposals

Over time, water may seep through some of the areas where your disposal connects to the rest of your plumbing system. However, a unit typically lasts seven or less years then mechanical failure can lead to home water damage. These leaks may leave puddles under your sink, pool on the floor by your cabinet, or drip from under the garbage disposal itself. It’s easy to mistake a dishwasher or sink leak for a disposal leak so have a water damage team find the cause and help clean up the mess.

Detect Any Mold

After water damage in the kitchen, look everywhere for signs of mold. It can also grow in the kitchen, inside cabinets and between walls. Mold is very hazardous since disturbing the mold will cause it to release spores. Clean Image Services, Inc. has the equipment and expertise to manage any mold problems after water damage in your kitchen 

WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP IN YAKIMA 

If you have some type of water event in your kitchen, it’s extremely likely that your cabinets will get wet. Particle board cabinets are especially prone to water damage, but solid wood cabinets can also be damaged by water. Even a small slow leak can lead to expensive damage to your home’s structure and your belongings. It is imperative to get an expert water damage cleanup team on site to assess the damage and begin clean up. Clean Image Services, Inc. is a  family-owned cleaning and restoration company with nearly 20 years of experience in Central Washington.