Swapping Out a Water-Damaged Sink Cabinet Base
Moisture and plumbing drips can gradually deteriorate the wood panel located beneath a kitchen sink. When a particle board base shows decay, removing and reinstalling it helps stop mold from developing — and gives you a chance to fix any pipe leaks while the area is open.
By Sam Murphy5 steps
The wood underneath a kitchen sink can become water-damaged.
Because the area under a kitchen sink sees a lot of moisture — and can get wet from plumbing that drips — the wood there may eventually decay. Should the particle board base beneath your sink start showing water damage, you can remove it and put in a replacement to keep mold from taking hold. This is also a good moment to track down and repair pipe leaks.
Step 1
Take out the particle board by force. Place the tip of a pry bar under a corner of the board and lift. Safety glasses and gloves should be worn to keep your eyes and hands protected. Normally the board comes away from the nails without much effort. If it holds fast, a utility knife or handsaw can be used to cut it free.
Step 2
Prepare a replacement panel of plywood. Determine the dimensions of the sink's under-area. Using those measurements, cut a piece of plywood with a circular saw. Push the plywood through gradually and keep your fingers clear of the blade path. A blade guide should be used whenever you cut with this kind of saw.
Step 3
Set the plywood in place. Assuming your cuts were accurate, the plywood ought to drop right into the opening. Should it be too wide, trim the edges down until it fits.
Step 4
Fasten the wood with screws. Rather than nails, which hold less firmly, drive screws through the plywood into the joists underneath using a drill, spacing them every six to eight inches. Continue until the plywood is firmly attached.
Step 5
Shield the plywood from moisture. To guard against water damage and mold, coat the wood with clear polyurethane. Brush it on and allow it to dry. During this stage, leave a window open. Once dry, put back the items that had been stored under the sink.
