How To Clean A Flooded Kitchen

• What causes a kitchen to flood?
  • A pipe under the sink has burst or is leaking water
  • An appliance is leaking water
  • A flood from elsewhere
• What are the effects of flooding in a kitchen?
• What to do when your kitchen floods
• How to clean up after a flood in the kitchen
• Why you must leave flood restoration to the professionals
• Frequently asked questions​
  • How long does it take for a house to dry out?
  • How do you sanitise dishes after a flood?
• Contact us today

A flooded kitchen can result in water damage, put people’s health at risk, and lead to a mould problem in your home. Prompt, effective clean up is essential to make your home safe again.

At ICE Cleaning, we offer our comprehensive flood restoration services nationwide. Our fully qualified technicians can quickly restore your property to as close to its original condition as possible. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be on site in several hours if its an emergency.

Keep reading to find out what to do when your kitchen floods.

What causes a kitchen to flood? 

A pipe under the sink has burst or is leaking water

If there is standing water around the sink, there are visible problems with the pipes, or the cabinet under the sink is wetter than other areas of the kitchen, this is likely the cause. 

An appliance is leaking water

Appliances like dishwashers and washing machines are potential sources for floods if they malfunction or leak. Over time, the seals on these devices may wear out, too, leading to excess water seeping onto your kitchen floor. 

A flood from elsewhere

Your kitchen can also have been flooded from a leak or flood elsewhere in the property, or local flooding. The latter is particularly dangerous as floodwater can contain sewage. 

What are the effects of flooding in a kitchen? 

A kitchen flood can cause havoc in your home and negatively impact your health. The danger depends on the kind of water flooding your property:

• Greywater is used water from sinks, showers, and washing machines. The water does not contain faeces but traces of dirt or food particles that could harm your health. 
• Blackwater is the wastewater from toilets that is heavily contaminated with harmful bacteria. Exposure to it can lead to severe diseases.

If excess water is left standing, it also has the potential to cause significant damage to your kitchen floors and cabinets depending on what they are made of and how long they were underwater for. Flooring, for example, can absorb the water, swell, and warp.

There is a risk of mould growth as flooding provides it with the damp conditions it requires, too. Mould is harmful to be exposed to and can damage your property and possessions. You can find out more about the dangers of mould here. 

What to do when your kitchen floods 

A flooded kitchen is a daunting sight but quick action can help mitigate the damage. The first thing to do when you notice your kitchen flooding is to immediately stop the water supply line to stop the flooding at source if it was caused by a burst pipe or malfunctioning appliance. 

Next, turn off the electricity going to the kitchen to reduce the risk of electrocution or a fire. Then, identify what has caused the flood to determine if you can safely clean up the area yourself.

Finally, before you begin the clean up process, document all visible signs of damage caused by flooding in your kitchen and notify your insurers of the flood. You can find out more about what to do when your property floods in this blog.  

How to clean up after a flood in the kitchen

You may be able to clean up a small amount of clean water that has flooded your kitchen. But if there is a high water level and the flood was caused by greywater, blackwater, or local floodwater, you must bring in flood restoration professionals. 

Even cleaning up a small flood is an extensive process that can have serious consequences if not done properly. It is recommended only flood damage cleaners clear up after a flood to give you peace of mind that the problem is taken care of. 

The first step is getting rid of the excess water in the kitchen. Then, the room needs to be ventilated to start drying out the surfaces. Fans and dehumidifiers will be required to speed up the drying process as mould can start growing in 24 to 48 hours. 

Next, furniture that has gotten wet will need to be thoroughly dried out and deep cleaned. Depending on what your furniture was made of, like wood, it could be very delicate and might need to be treated carefully to avoid damage. Electrical appliances need to be inspected by a professional, too, to make sure they are safe to use. 

All surfaces must be disinfected, as well, to make sure your kitchen is safe to cook, eat, and keep food in. 

Why you must leave flood restoration to the professionals

Cleaning up after a flood involves thorough cleaning procedures that ensure every nook and cranny is free from moisture and deep cleaned. Should you attempt it yourself, you could put your health at risk by coming in contact with the water, may leave behind harmful pathogens, and might not remove all the water fast enough. 

Flood damage also cleaning requires specialist equipment and training to ensure the affected area is made safe again. Specialist cleaners, like our technicians, have the gear and experience to efficiently restore your flooded kitchen to how it was before. They can even provide any other services you may require, like mould remediation. 

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take for a house to dry out?

The drying process varies but typically takes between 12-72 hours. However, this depends on factors such as humidity levels and the amount of saturation.

How do you sanitise dishes after a flood?

Dishes should be washed with hot soapy water, then soaked in a bleach solution for at least one minute before air-drying them completely.

Contact us today

Our flood damage clean up specialists can deal with any type of flooding, whether a coastal flood or washing machine flooded your kitchen. They are fully qualified in flood restoration and have been accredited by a number of organisations including BICSc, Safe Contractor, and Dewpoint Professional.

Get in touch by calling our team on 0208 066 0360 or sending them an email at enquiries@icecleaning.co.uk to book your free site survey and get a no-obligation quote.