There are two areas in a home which use the most water: the bathroom and kitchen. And since we’ve previously discussed preventing bathroom mold and moisture, we now want to help Dallas/Ft. Worth homeowners on preventing water damage in the kitchen. After all, kitchens are where we cook, clean, and eat, making water damage the last thing we want in there!

The experts at RestoPros have detailed a guide below on how to avoid water damage in the kitchen. Be sure to follow this guide to better protect your Dallas/Ft. Worth home.

Avoid Putting Certain Items Down the Drain

Not all organic material can go down the drain of your kitchen sink. Items such as fat, oil, and grease may seem fine at first if they’re a liquid. But once cooled down they solidify, which can clog up the plumbing and further cause leakage and eventually water damage. In general, avoid putting any oils down your drain (which includes greasy protein and vegetable scraps.

Additionally, you want to avoid putting any fibrous, starchy, or durable food waste down the drain. Items such as eggshells, pasta, rice, celery stalks, and fruit pits can all clog your drain, as well as damage your garbage disposal.

Clean Spills as Quickly as Possible

The more a spill lingers, the higher the chance it can cause water damage. If you spill any liquid in the kitchen, you’ll want to clean it up as soon as possible. Spills left unattended will begin to soak into porous surfaces such as wood and drywall. And once the surface becomes too damp, water damage can occur.

The best way to clean up water spills is by using an absorbent cleaning material such as a towel or rag. After soaking up all the water, be sure to pat down the stain with paper towels to remove any leftover moisture.

Inspect Your Plumbing Regularly

Every now and then, look at your kitchen’s plumbing for any drips, leaks or damaged pipes. Malfunctioning plumbing can be hidden, and water could be seeping into your cabinets and drawers without you even knowing. Therefore, you’ll want to regularly keep an eye on your kitchen’s plumbing, which includes your refrigerator if it has a water/ice component.

Wash Dishes More Carefully

When washing dishes, set your faucet to a lower pressure. Too much water pressure will cause water to bounce off dishes and onto other areas of your kitchen. This can lead to water soaking into walls, cabinets, and other areas.

If you use a dishwasher, remove any large food chunks and waste from your dishes before filling the racks. This helps prevent bits of food from clogging the water pipes, which can lead to a leaking dishwasher. Additionally, only use dishwasher soap for the dishwasher. Regular dish soap is not compatible with dishwashers and can also cause your dishwasher to leak.

Protect your kitchen from water damage by following these prevention tips! If you’ve discovered water damage in your kitchen, or any other part of your Dallas/Ft. Worth home, contact RestoPros for our water damage restoration services. Give us call at 855-587-3786 to have our leading experts restore your home from water damage.

Related Links:

Water Damage – Cleanup and Mold Prevention – Environmental Protection Agency

Handling Water Damage Claims – Texas Department of Insurance