Tips from the Termite guy:

water damage to particle board cabinets  (Members Only) (edit/delete)

Tips from the Termite guy:

Bill Mashek

www.northwesttermite.com

I have fairly new kitchen cabinets but they are mostly made out of cheap particle board.  The dishwasher leaked water under the kitchen cabinet now it is swollen and damaged.  I am also getting a "musty" odor under the sink.   What can I do?

The most important determining factor for kitchen cabinet quality will be the material.  Kitchen cabinets are most commonly built using plywood (A), MDF (B), or particle board (C). A plywood cabinet will almost always be of the highest quality when compared to MDF (medium density fiberboard) or particle board.  It is very rare to find solid wood cabinets, and if you do find them they are not as good as they sound, they warp easily and crack easily.  MDF or particle board cabinets can also warp easily but they absorb moisture very easily which results in swelling and odor absorption. Another important determining factor in selecting a good cabinet will be the finish. Any wood cabinet will usually have a veneer covering that is used to make the cabinet appear to be made of solid wood.

Your floor of you kitchen cabinet can be cut out and a new piece of ¼” hardwood plywood installed over the old base.  Calk seal and waterproof. A contractor will charge you about $250 to $300 for this repair.

If you have particle board cabinets your best option is prevention.  First, caulk all the joints with an acrylic latex caulk.  For a professional job, put down a thin bead at all seams.  Follow this by smoothing out the caulk with a damp sponge.  Now prime the inside of the cabinet and paint with a good quality latex paint.  It may take up part of a Saturday afternoon but this small amount of preventative maintenance can save you thousands of dollars in repair or replacement of your cabinets