How to Deal With a Flooded Kitchen: 7 Essential Steps

By: Diana Rodriguez-Zaba
Updated on: March 20, 2024

When you walk through the door, you know right away that something is very wrong. Everywhere you look, you see water.

Whether it’s an overflowing dishwasher or a kitchen sink flooding the room, you’re staring down a huge problem.

You’re looking at wet appliances, soaked cabinets and a flooded kitchen floor. Knowing what to do next makes a big difference in how well you can recover the heart of your home.

You have to act fast, but you need to stay safe too. Are you prepared to tackle flooded kitchen cleanup?

Let’s get started.

Your 7-Step Guide to Dealing With a Flooded Kitchen

flooded kitchen

Flooding in the kitchen requires more than just mopping up the mess. If you have second thoughts about handling the job yourself, call a restoration contractor who specializes in water damage.

If you decide to take the DIY route, how to clean up a flooded kitchen starts with turning things off.

1. Turn Off the Water

Turning off water supply line valves usually stops the flow from broken pipes under the kitchen sink.

If this doesn’t work or you’re not sure about the source of flooding, turn off your home’s main water line at its shutoff valve.

2. Turn Off the Electricity

Turn off electricity into the kitchen at your circuit box. If other rooms in the house are affected, cut the power to those areas too.

Once you’ve shut off the electricity, unplug all appliances including those on countertops.

3. Be Careful With Gas Stoves

Water on the kitchen floor can affect gas stoves. Supply lines, regulators and bottom burners may need replacement.

If you suspect your stove’s supply line has been compromised, follow the city’s directions for turning off your gas.

Power Tip: Have all appliances inspected for safety after a kitchen flood.

4. Mop Up the Water

You need room to work. Tables, chairs and rugs need room to dry. Move everything out of the kitchen to well-ventilated areas.

Pull up baseboards, and check lower cabinets for water. Mopping takes care of most flooded kitchens, but a wet vac gets the job done much more quickly.

5. Assess the Extent of Damage

As you work, pay attention to drywall and door frames. Porous materials quickly wick up moisture, so look for any signs of damage above the water line.

If the kitchen flooded while you were gone for several days, these areas may have developed mold and mildew.

6. Start the Drying Process

Set up fans in all four corners to create strong, fresh air cross-currents. A dehumidifier can help speed up the drying process too.

Keep cabinet doors and drawers open, and pay special attention to damp drywall. If you’re sure you don’t have any mold problems in the kitchen, run the air conditioner.

Power Tip: Give the room at least two or three days to completely dry.

7. Know When to Call Professionals

In some cases, knowing how to dry out a flooded kitchen just isn’t enough. Extensive water damage needs to be taken care of by restoration professionals.

Certified technicians use advanced equipment and industry-proven techniques to address kitchen flooding, and they take care of mold remediation too.

How to Avoid a Flood in the Kitchen

You can’t head off every water mishap in the kitchen, but it helps to understand how they happen. Practice a little prevention around these common sources of kitchen flooding.

Refrigerators – Be careful of supply lines when you clean behind the refrigerator.

Ice Makers – Replace original plastic water lines with copper or stainless steel.

Dishwashers – Routinely check for bad door seals, worn-out water hoses and damaged housing.

Sink Pipes – Stay ahead of burst kitchen pipes or leaking pipes by always having tools and supplies handy.

Dealing with a Flooded Kitchen in Chicago or Suburbs? We’re Here to Help!

We hope you never have to face the mess of a flooded kitchen, but we want you to be prepared. Print out our DIY guide, and keep it as a handy reference just in case. Share our post with your friends and family too.

Sometimes, cleaning up after a flood in the house is more than a homeowner can handle. Our teams are here for you and ready to help with everything from wet walls and soaked floors to flooded basements.

When you need Chicago’s flood damage restoration specialists, give us a call at ServiceMaster Restoration by Zaba: 773-647-1985

Why is my dishwasher flooding the kitchen?

It could be a stuck inlet valve that lets too much water into the appliance housing. A faulty float sensor can result in water levels that overflow and spill out into the kitchen. Old door gaskets, clogged air gaps, dirty drain baskets and damaged hoses can cause dishwasher flooding.

How do I fix water-damaged kitchen cabinets?

Start drying them out as soon as possible. Open all cabinet doors, and run fans and a dehumidifier 24/7 for several days. DIY fixes include relaminating cabinet exteriors, replacing old braces and rebuilding shelves. Most homeowners let a restoration contractor take care of the work.

How do I know if I need to replace the kitchen floor?

Flooring that buckles after drying out should be replaced. You may be able to work on sections, but it’s best to replace the entire floor. This reduces the chances of mold growth in the flooring. Replacement also lets you confirm the condition of the kitchen’s subfloor.