How To Dry Cabinets After Water Damage

After a leak fro the dishwasher, refridgerator or many other sources you may find the kitchen or bathroom cabinets were affected. When cabinetry is water damaged it may be salvaged if dried quickly.

Here is a brief description of our appoach to drying cabinets.

  • Evaluate the building materials and water damage. Most cabinets are made from plywood or particle board with a vainer finish. These materials when exposed to water or moisture from a flood may swell or crack. If visible damage is present it maybe necessary to remove the cabinets or vanity. If no visible damage is found or the cabinets are made of solid wood drying then will be best and most cost effective method. Using a moisture meter or thermal imaging camera may be the only way to detrmine extent of moisture.
  • We first remove the toe kick from the base of the cabinets. By removing the vainer finish and exposing the wood structure water will have an easy path to evaporate. Once the toe kick is removed drill holes in the base of the cabinets. Drilling the hole where the toe kick has been removed will make it easy to cover them with the toe kick when the drying process is complete. The holes should only 1/2 ”-1′ in diameter, they allow us to feed small air hoses under the cabinet to apply air flow.
  • cabinet/wall cavity drying system placing  air hoses in the previously drilled holes. This allows us to pump hot dry air into the cavity under the cabinets or vanity. The hot dry air speeds up the evaporation process. Then place air movers so that air flow is moved across the front and sides (if possible) of cabinets or vanity. The air flow across the front of the cabinets aids in the evaporation process by lowering the air-pressure on the out side of cabinet heavier moist air will be drawn from cabinetry. We then place a dehu-midifier in the room or areas where the water damaged cabinets or vanity is located. The dehumidifier is used to remove the evaporated water from the air as we are drying the structure and cabinets. If the water is not removed from the air is may begin to con-densate on the walls and windows of the room cause secondary damage. Once set up of drying equipment is complete we then begin to keep detailed daily records of the moisture content of the water damaged cabinets.
  • The daily moisture reading allow us know if the evaporation process is taking place and tells us when the drying is complete. After drying is complete the toe kick will be place back onto the base of the cabinets.
  • The average dry time for cabinets is 3 to 5 days. Far less then the time and cost of rebuilding a kitchen or bathroom. Many water damaged cabinets and wall units are dried this way every day so before you yank those cabinets out give us a call at 678.300.6090 and we will be happy to give you an estimate for water damage repairs. Keep in mind your home insurance policy may cover this damage.