How to repair water damage after a flood in your kitchen

Water damage to your home can be hard to live through. It completely immobilizes your living space. When the damage is to your kitchen, it can be both financially and functionally devastating. To lose one of your home's most-used rooms to long repairs and clean-up? Anyone whose been without a kitchen can tell you it's a situation to avoid. So what do you do if your kitchen's been flooded or is suffering from other types of water damage?

The key to rehabilitating your kitchen after a flood is to find a balance between cost efficiency and time constraints.

Here are six things you need to know about the costs of repairing water damage in your kitchen:

Call a professional immediately

Water damage is no joke. You will want to contact a professional and have them come out to assess the damage as soon as possible. Many flood crisis companies work 24/7 so check your local listings and make an appointment.

Take pictures for your insurance

When your first hit with a flood of water, there is no way to tell just how much damage has been done. You may not think an insurance claim is necessary if the damage looks minimal on the surface. However after the professional comes out to assess what needs repairs, the costs may be more than you can afford. Take pictures to keep a record of everything that got hit with water as well as the clean up process. This can help any negotiations with your insurance company.

Try and remove as much water yourself as you can

If left unattended water can drip and leak into other areas of your home and cause problems to other areas that were not originally impacted. This can be very expensive if left unattended. If it's at all possible to do safely, try and remove as much water as you can with towels, a mop, or a Wet-Vac to help prevent any further issues -- and associated expenses.

Get quotes to repair the floors

Even if the surface appears to be fine, there could be moisture and mold underneath which requires floors to be replaced. Ask contractors you talk to if they've ever dealt with a similar situation, and make sure they're equipped to handle whatever water damage might reveal itself as the floor comes up.

Prevent further damage to furniture

When a flood happens, try to salvage what you can to save on replacement costs. Move everything you can into other rooms. If you can keep it safe and dry throughout the cleanup and repairs, you can move back into its rightful place once the kitchen is usable again. One less hassle and expense!

Treat mold and mildew

Standing water is not a recipe for anything good, and that includes mold and mildew. Disinfect everything in your kitchen to try and prevent its growth or spread. This includes surfaces, silverware, and dishes. You should also check cupboards and appliances as well as your drywall. The last thing you want is to repair your kitchen and find hazardous growths later on down the road.

It's normal to feel sad and frustrated by the loss of one of the most important rooms in your home, even if it's only temporary. But following these steps means you can help keep costs down, and be back to your everyday life quicker than you might expect.