If you’re like most homeowners, the kitchen is probably the most essential single room in your home. Not only is it the place where you cook meals, but it’s also where your family gathers to spend time together as well as the space you often use to entertain guests. That’s why it’s so important to keep your kitchen in optimal condition, which includes addressing water damage if and when it happens.
A variety of things, from a leaking dishwasher or faucet to flooding caused by severe storms, can cause water damage in your kitchen. Regardless of the cause, it’s critical to quickly address the damage so you can get back to using your kitchen as soon as possible. The pros from Forever Builders, the experts in home renovation San Diego homeowners trust for exceptional service and outstanding expertise, offer some tips for renovating your kitchen after water damage.
Evaluate the Damage
The first step is to assess the extent of the damage. If it’s significant, you’re going to need to call on a professional contractor to make the necessary repairs. Make sure to check the following areas when you’re evaluating the damage:
- Floors – If the damage is serious, you may have to have the flooring replaced
- Walls – Drywall is vulnerable to water damage, and you may have to replace some panels or even entire walls
- Ceiling – Ceiling tiles are also susceptible to damage, and you may need to replace some or all of them
- Appliances – It may be necessary to replace one or more appliances to prevent electrical hazards from damaged wiring
Take Out Wet Items
After you’ve evaluated the damage, you’ll need to remove wet items from the area. This includes wet flooring, cabinets, and countertops. If you have wet furniture or carpets, it may be a good idea to hire professionals who can remove them and then set up large industrial fans to draw out any remaining moisture from the area.
Dry Out the Kitchen Area
After all the wet items have been removed, you’ll need to dry out the area as quickly as possible to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. You can use dehumidifiers and floor fans to speed up the process, and it can also help to open the windows and turn on your HVAC system’s fan.
Have the Kitchen Checked for Mold
Before renovation can begin, you’ll need to make sure your kitchen is free of mold. If it isn’t detected, mold could pollute the air inside your home and cause a variety of health issues, from mild eye irritation to full-blown asthma attacks. Have a professional take samples from all surfaces as well as the drywall and have them tested for mold, especially black mold. If the test shows the presence of mold, you’ll need to have remediation professionals remove it and disinfect all the surfaces in your kitchen before renovation starts.
Prepare for the Renovation Process
Once your kitchen is dry and clean, renovation can begin. Since this may involve replacing damaged flooring, countertops, and cabinets, you’ll probably be hiring professionals to make sure the job is done properly, and the renovation process can be quite disruptive to your family’s normal routine. To minimize the disruption, you can take these simple steps to get your home and family ready for your kitchen renovation:
- Cover the vents in the kitchen to keep dust from circulating to other areas of your house
- Use plastic to cover any furniture remaining in the room
- Seal the doorway with plastic
- Make plans for how your family will get meals while the kitchen isn’t available for use
The Forever Builders team will assist you through every step of your kitchen renovation. San Diego homeowners trust us to provide the most affordable kitchen remodeling services and ensure their visions become reality. From design to completion, we’ll help you create the kitchen you’ve always wanted, meeting all your expectations while keeping your costs within budget. To find out more about our exceptional remodeling and renovation services, give one of our friendly team members a call today at (833) 243-5624.