Your home’s kitchen is the center of your home. Your bathroom is your sanctuary. Both your kitchen and bathrooms have numerous plumbing hookups and cabinetry. If a leak or flood occurs, the cabinets are likely going to sustain some water damage. If the water damage is significant, replacing or repairing the kitchen cabinets may be necessary. This could be a huge investment as cabinets range from $100 – $500 per linear foot. The average cost to replace kitchen cabinets in a 10 foot by 10-foot kitchen is approximately $5,000 – $6,000. Cabinets can swell and split with even the smallest amount of water. Whether it is MDF or solid wood, they can be ruined as well. If you suspect water damage, the first step is to recognize the amount of damage and then completely dry the cabinets out. Here’s what you should be looking for.
Can You Visibly See Any Damage?
Cabinets can sustain an occasional splash of water, it’s the moisture that goes unnoticed with lack of light or ventilation that causes the damage. Water damage appears differently with each type of cabinetry, and the material it is made from. MDF cabinets typically swell as they absorb the moisture. When this occurs, it creates instability in the material, and it may bubble or peel. Dark stains are a sure sign of water damage. With wood cabinets that have been subjected to a large amount of water, it will affect the paint, veneer, and metal handles. If you notice a warping of the base and that doors and drawers aren’t closing properly, you may need to contact water damage restoration experts to prevent further deterioration.
Concerns About Mold
If you notice a smell, especially under the cabinets this could be a sign of mildew. This can be described as earthy, dank, or a sour smell. In appearance, the discoloration may be gray, white, or orange.
Should I Just Paint Over The Damage?
Wood cabinets can be painted just like any other wood. However, laminate cabinets can be more challenging. Some cabinets have melamine or plastic material over the particle board to help with dust resistance and make it easier to clean. If the melamine around the base isn’t damaged, then the cabinets can stay as they are before your paint. However, if the base is damaged, the paint will only give you a temporary solution.
Refacing The Cabinetry
If you choose to reface the cabinetry yourself, this typically involves replacing the cabinets and painting them. When professionals are involved, they will replace the old cabinet doors, drawer fronts, and veneer box front and sides. If the cabinet structure has been exposed to water, then changes to the front won’t fix the issue.
If you have experienced water damage to your kitchen or bathroom, then you may need your cabinets repaired or replaced. Contact a certified water damage restoration professional to guide you through the process.
Contact us (859-525-2379) for more information or to schedule an appointment
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About Paramount Restoration
Paramount Restoration performs emergency remediation throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for water, storm, fire, mold sewage damage and more seven days a week, 365 days a year. Call us day or night for an estimate – we waive 100% of the estimate fees for all calls between 8 am and 5 pm!