Did your child forget to turn off the sink after brushing his or her teeth one night? Or maybe your kitchen sink is clogged with old food scraps. Regardless of the cause, overflowing sinks are incredibly common causes of water damage and often pose a hidden danger inside your home.
When a sink is overflowing, homeowners will often only look at the surface level issues and will race to soak up all the standing water on the floor. However, there are more severe damages occurring under the surface. Mold can quickly grow beneath the flood, and structural damage is more likely to occur if the water damage is left untreated. This is a silent danger because these damages will continue to worsen, and homeowners will not know about damages until it’s too late.
My Kitchen Sink is Overflowing, What Should I Do?!
If you notice that your kitchen sink is overflowing, quickly remove as much water as possible and take note of all the damages. If the damages are severe, call your trusted water damage experts to alleviate stress and quickly resolve the problem.
If the sink is clogged, be patient, and try these steps to resolve the issue.
Check The Garbage Disposal
Make sure there is enough water in the disposal for safe operation, then turn it on. If the sink begins to drain, you have resolved the clog that was present in the disposal line.
Boiling Water and Salt
Pour half a cup of table salt into the clogged drain, Next, bring a pot of water to a full boil, then pour the water into the clogged sink drain – if needed, wear oven mitts to protect yourself from the heat. If you do not get results the first time, boil another pot of water a try again.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
Try to fizz the clog out with one cup of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar. Make sure to pour the baking soda into the drain first, followed by the vinegar. Do not mix the ingredients prior. After the fizz starts to dissolve, pour a pot of hot water down the drain.
Plunger
If you still have not gotten any result, try using the plunger. When using the plunger, make sure there is enough water in the sink to cover the bell and provide a tight seal. If you are plunging a double sink, make sure to seal the clear drain before unclogging the other side.
Cleaning Up a Kitchen Sink Overflow
To prevent further water damage, you should act quickly to avoid long term damage to your kitchen floor and under the sink cabinetry. We suggest positioning fans to cross-ventilate and dry the room, while also leaving cabinet doors open. If the water damage is not adequately cared for, it can lead to mold growth under the floor and behind the sink, or structural damage to the foundation.
We’re Here to Help You
We know that you can clean up minor overflows in your home, but we can provide 24/7 backup if you need help from an expert. Our 24/7 Water Damage Services in Columbia and surrounding areas are here to help with all your emergencies no matter how big or small!