What To Do If You Find a Leak Under Your Kitchen Sink

3/15/2019 (Permalink)

Contact a restoration company in Shotwell, NC

What To Do If You Find a Leak Under Your Kitchen Sink

Slow dripping under a kitchen sink is a common household occurrence. Most leaks are small and unlikely to cause flooding, which may seem like a good thing, but beware: damage from a small leak that goes unnoticed over time can actually cause more problems than visible water in your home. If you find a leak under your sink, following these steps can help minimize long-term secondary damage and save you money on a costly kitchen repair.

1. Shut Off the Water Supply

Whether you notice dripping, flowing, or flooding, your first step is to immediately shut off your water. Using the valves under the sink may be your first instinct, but it might not solve the problem. If you are at all in doubt as to the location or extent of the leak, shutting off the main water supply to the house is advised.

2. Call Your Insurance Company

Contact your agent as soon as you notice suspicious moisture, slow dripping, or a burst pipe. Your insurance company is going to want to know when you discovered the leak and how quickly you acted to address the problem. Leaks that are ignored for any length of time are much less likely to be covered by your policy. Document any visible damage with photographs before you begin any clean-up or repair work.

3. Call a Professional Restoration Company

Moisture from a pipe leak can spread into cabinets, floors, sub-floors, and walls. Over time, even a small drip can cause rotting wood, buckling floors, and damp drywall, creating structural damage and providing an ideal environment for toxic black mold to take hold. Not all of this damage is visible. Contacting a restoration company in Shotwell, NC, can help you identify the extent of damage and make sure the issue is not just patched, but fully remediated.

Whether you find a nagging, slow drip or a burst, flooding pipe, time is of the essence in addressing water leaks. Following these steps can help reduce damage, saving you time and money, and keeping your home healthy and free of unwanted mold and mildew.