Preventing The Need For Toxic Mold Removal In Your Kitchen
By Evie Parrish
The kitchen is an ideal place for water damage to strike. It is a high traffic area where around 15% of overall household water use occurs. Knowing how to prevent water damage in your kitchen can save you numerous costs in structural maintenance.
Water-proof the sink
Although the sink serves as a source of water, it is not normal for it to drip nor should it produce moisture if it is not being used. Many of us tend to ignore a faint drip here and there but kick this habit away. A dripping faucet that constantly hits the same spot again and again will corrode the surface and thin it out in time. It is also wasteful and drives up your water bill.
The drain in your sink should be properly sealed. No water should escape into the space below the sink when water runs down the drain. The space under the sink should be clean, dry and free from moisture. If not, slimy mold is likely to develop on the pipes where any water hits the surface and can spread to other areas of the kitchen, leading to mold and mildew problems.
Make sure the drain of your sink is clog-free. Pull out any stuff that is lodged in the drain opening and don't overload the disposal unit with items that are hard to grind. If your drain gets clogged, you will have to deal with a messy, murky liquid that will contaminate the sink's surface and give you a headache.
Check surfaces
If your kitchen counter top is made up of tiles, then make sure the grout that fills between the tiles and holds them in place is well maintained. Any crack or loosening of the tiles will allow water to seep under the tiles and cause moisture buildup. The surface beneath the tiles will absorb all kinds of liquid - spilled milk, coffee, juice, and soapy water - you name it, causing it to soften and eventually lead to rotting or rusting.
Water from appliances
The stove, refrigerator, and the dishwasher are appliances that can hide water damage among others. Look under these appliances regularly to check if there is any moisture lurking beneath.
Defrosting a refrigerator can yield an amount of water. Make sure to mop all the water properly and don't forget to pour out the drain pan at the back of the refrigerator. Drain the pan regularly even when you're not defrosting.
The dishwasher has a water connection as well as a drainage connection. If any of these two has leaks, it will not be obvious since you don't move the dishwasher around. If the dishwasher fails to drain out completely, this indicates a clogged drain.
Plumbing and drainage
The plumbing and drainage of a kitchen are hidden behind walls and sometimes are under the floor. Since they are hidden, it might be a while before pinhole leaks or cracks in the pipes are detected causing substantial water damage.
Be on the lookout for any water stains or dampness on walls and on the floors. If you detect any of these signs, call a trusty plumber or water damage restoration expert and have it fixed immediately. Uncontrolled water flowing for hours will yield an incredible amount of water causing property damage as well as a soaring water bill.
Keep the kitchen dry
Installing an exhaust fan can help keep your kitchen dry and well-ventilated. Also have a clean mop and a lot of dish towels handy to wipe dry any spills, leaks, or wetness that can cause water damage.
Remember, if a kitchen is dry, then water damage is unlikely to happen. So keep your kitchen dry and water damage free - it should last you another generation or three.
About the author
Evie Parrish is a house issue disaster writer for Westchester, NY Toxic Mold Removal and Yorktown Heights, NY mold removal from http://www.FreeArticlesAndContent.com
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