Work Quickly to Address Water Damaged Cabinets And Avoid Major Cleanup

Cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom are often right in the crosshairs to sustain water damage. Because of the proximity to water sources—plumbing lines leading to a sink, dishwasher floods, overflow from a sink, faucet leaks—cabinets frequently end up affected by water. Water and steam can cause the finish to peel, crack and discolor.

After water damage, replacement costs might shock you. Most new cabinet prices are between $4,000 and $13,000, depending on your choices. Stock cabinets are cheapest, at around $60 to $200 per linear foot, semi-custom cabinets will run you around $100 to $650 per linear foot, and custom cabinets usually cost between $500 and $1,200 per linear foot.

If you’ve had water damage, get the experts from Faithful Cleaning in as soon as possible to stop further damage and attempt to salvage your existing cabinets. Drying cabinets after a water damage incident is a specialized process with many variables. Unfortunately, not all cabinets can be salvaged in a cost-effective way.

Particle board is a common inexpensive cabinet material. Consisting of particles of wood compressed together with glue and resin, the particle board is particularly vulnerable to saturation. Water dissolves the glue and may make the material swell and crumble; these cabinets may not be salvageable.

Plywood and hardwood cabinets withstand water exposure more evenly and for a longer period of time. If dried promptly using proper techniques, these cabinets may be restored without permanent damage.  

Typical Steps To Effectively Dry Cabinets

Every situation is different, but generally these are steps taken:

• Remove all items from the cabinet.
• Remove excess water pooling inside cabinets. Soak up water with towels and wipe dry the cabinet interior.  
• Take off cabinet doors. The weight of cabinet doors pulling on saturated wood can cause yet more damage to the unit. Also, removing doors allows maximum airflow into the cabinet interior for faster drying.
• Utilize drying equipment. Professional air movers that are made to rapidly dry floors, cabinets and other fixtures direct high-volume airflow into the cabinets and speed drying.
• Reduce humidity. Excess humidity in the indoor environment hampers drying.  Dehumidifiers will be placed in the affected zone and run continuously.
• Dry the enclosed spaces underneath cabinets. Water damage professionals typically remove the cabinet kick plate, then utilize air movers and/or warm air injectors to effectively dry the area.  
• Prevent mold contamination. After cabinets have been fully dried, all surfaces should be treated with biocides formulated to prevent mold growth.

Watch Out For Mold and Mildew

Whether it’s your bathroom or kitchen, the biggest issue is mildew, which  can cause health problems. Because of the lack of ventilation combined with water, cabinets around sinks, dishwashers and cooking areas are prone to mildew. Try to keep your cabinets as aired out as possible to reduce the risk of condensation and resulting mildew formation.

Protect the wood around your sink with a waterproof varnish and waterproof tiles. Waterproof varnish and tiles act as a seal that prevents water from getting into the wood of your cabinets. Finally, address any visible stains or odors immediately by calling Faithful Cleaning. 

For Water Damage Clean Up in Billings, The Sooner, The Better…

No matter the cause or severity of cabinet problems, every minute that passes has the potential to cause more damage to your home and your valuable possessions. Choose a damage specialist capable of answering your emergency both quickly and proficiently. When you choose Faithful Disaster Restoration, you have a 24hour, full service certified disaster recovery general contractor to help you through a complete restoration. With years of experience and training, work closely with your insurance company.