Flooded Kitchen? These tips are for you!

10/1/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Port Charlotte for expert water removal and to restore your home after a water damage event.

You wake up in the morning to an odd smell and noises coming from the kitchen. As you walk toward the kitchen, you suddenly feel your socks are wet and it hits you: you have a water leak in your kitchen!

Now is not the time to panic, but to take action. Use these tips to not only minimize the damage, but hopefully to be prepared if this ever happens to you.

First things first - Be Prepared for water damage in your home:

• Know where you water shutoff is! One of the first things we ask when you call us for a water damage, is has the source of water been controlled. Quite often the leak happens before your faucet shutoffs, so knowing where your household water shutoff is is vital. Most of the times it will be in your garage, on the side of your home, or near the street. If you are not sure, ask your HOA, your utility department, a neighbor, or your home inspector. If there is not an easy to access water shutoff for your home, it is a wise investment to have one installed if possible.
• Once you have the water shutoff, ensure the safety of your home and anyone in there, including your pets. Water that runs through walls, carpets, cabinets, etc. can become contaminated, so you want to avoid exposure or the possibility of a pet attempting to drink the water.

If you do have flooding in your kitchen and home, the primary focus should be safety:

• Is it OK to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

What To Do After a Kitchen Flood:

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Gather loose items from floors.

What NOT TO DO after a Kitchen Flood:

• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

If you have a water damage emergency, call (941) 629-0966. We will make it "Like it never even happened."