When we think about the areas where hidden mold can develop, there are many locations that may not be easily recognizable. Of course, if you have a leak on the bathroom floor or around a sink, you will see the leak, dry it up and minimize the damage it will cause. There are other leaks, however, that will be less recognizable, and one area that frequently goes unnoticed is under the kitchen sink.
Let’s consider how often we look, I mean, really look under the kitchen sink. This cabinet especially, is used as a storage area for cleaning supplies, garbage cans, etc. Typically, we open the sink cabinet to grab a cleaning product, it’s usually only open for a few seconds. Therefore, a leak in this area may go undetected until it’s too late and the cabinetry damage is beyond repair. Also, if the cabinetry remains wet for a period of time, it’s very likely that mold has begun to grow causing a mold issue in your home.
Some of the causes of a leak under your sink are:
- Water supply valves and lines: these valves and lines are constantly under pressure, so if one connection is loose or a water line has a small hair line crack, water will leak under the sink even when the faucet is in the off position.
- Handheld sprayer: a leak can occur on the water line that is attached to the kitchen sink causing water to leak down the water line and drip onto the cabinet bottom. Over time, the water will sit under items stored so it may not be noticeable in time to prevent damage.
- Drain pipes: if you have drain pipes made of metals like brass or copper, they can corrode over time and develop a leak. These drain pipes can also become loose and cause a big problem.
- P-trap: when this gets clogged, it can cause water to build all the way up your drains and create a leak somewhere along the way.
What should you do when you notice a leak under your kitchen sink?
We recommend you occasionally inspect the sink cabinet for any signs of water damage, warping of cabinet bottom, or any stains from water or mold. This area can be problematic as a continued leak under the sink can spread to adjacent cabinets and destroy all your lower cabinetry. Once water is trapped behind a cabinet, there is no air movement for it to dry out and is a perfect environment for mold to grow.
If you do notice a leak under your kitchen sink, turn off the water supply and contact a plumber immediately to stop the leak before it causes any further damage to your home. If you do have a mold problem, you want to be careful to remove mold safely. Once mold is disturbed, it will become airborne causing a contained issue limited to the cabinets to become an air quality issue which can affect the air you breathe and cross contaminate other areas of the home.
If you think you have a mold problem, and have already stopped the leak, CALL US at South Florida Water and Mold Restoration, Inc. – 954-923-3340 – for a FREE evaluation to determine the extent of damage and to discuss the best professional approach to minimize the damage in the most efficient and safe manner.