Given that they use large volumes of water whenever they run, dishwashers are one of the more common culprits when it comes to household flood situations. As with any major source of water leakage, a dishwasher flood in your house can end up causing significant structural and monetary damage if not addressed promptly. Here are some key pieces of information to know about dishwasher flooding if you ever find yourself in need of a clean-up after an appliance has leaked.
What Causes a Dishwasher Flood?
There are numerous things that could cause a dishwasher to flood or leak into the surrounding kitchen. Common reasons include:
•Clogged sink or drain pipe
•Leaking water pipe
•Using too much detergent or a detergent not designed for the dishwasher (excess suds can cause flooding)
•Improperly loading a dishwasher can cause the door to not fully close when running
•The door is not secured tightly enough or the gasket is in poor condition
Effects of a Dishwasher Flooding the House
Since the cleaning cycle takes time and hydro rates are lower in the evenings, it is common for people to run their dishwasher at night while they sleep. Unfortunately, this means that flooding dishwashers have several hours’ free reign. Waking up to find that your dishwasher flooded the sink is not a preferred way to start the morning, but that may actually be the least of the problems that a leaking dishwasher can cause.
Electrical Appliances
Your kitchen is home to many different fixtures and appliances such as the oven or fridge. A flooded dishwasher runs the risk of damaging any of these, especially if the water is given time to sit and infiltrate surrounding surfaces. Even if the appliance itself is still dry, water infiltrating the walls or floors can create hazards around sockets and wiring.
Kitchen Countertops and Cabinets
Countertops and cabinets can be easily affected by water. These structures commonly have wood elements that will soak up water and create prolonged damp patches that mould just loves to thrive on. Countertops may also come with minor cracks or imperfections through which water can seep and accumulate underneath the surface. In addition to creating damp patches for mould, this can loosen the adhesive that secures the counter in place. Over time, the countertop material can also become eroded.
Flooded Sink
Depending on the cause of the dishwasher flood, water can back up into your sink. This will compound any flooding problems by adding yet another overflowing appliance into the mix. Every hazard associated with a flooded dishwasher can also apply to a flooded sink, with the additional issue of water affecting anything stored underneath.
Carpets and Floors
Kitchen tile is normally water resistant, but that sort of design is meant to withstand spills—not flood situations. If flood water is left standing, it can infiltrate your flooring and cause damage to the underside of the tiles or spread further into the subsections of the home or into the walls. If the water spreads to the edge of the room (not uncommon) then it can also begin to infiltrate and be absorbed by the carpeting in neighboring areas. The underside of a carpet is highly vulnerable to water damage and can become breeding grounds for mould if not addressed.
Contact Flood Services Canada for Professional Dishwasher Flood Clean-Up and Restoration
Should you wake up to find that your dishwasher has flooded your house, professional remediation can be used to fix the problem and thoroughly inspect and dry your home. When facing water damage, Flood Services Canada‘s quick-response teams of professionals will drain, dry, and save your property.
Contact us at (416) 302-2107 for more information about washing machine floods, or use our emergency hotline at (416) 999-3930 to get our rapid-response teams deployed to your location.
