Cabinets are essential pieces of furniture, so it’s important to know how to repair water damaged cabinet doors. Don’t worry, though; we’ve got you covered! Keep on reading this article to know more about the entire process.
How does water damage my cabinet doors?
You might be wondering, “Why are my cabinet doors water damaged?” Well, it’s because water causes damage to wooden surfaces.
If wood encounters water and moisture, it can weaken and rot. Molds can even grow on the wood when exposed to water. When this happens, it can be troublesome.
Wood also swells up when exposed to water. Water exposure can cause the paint or varnish on your cabinets to chip off.
Water damage is typical in kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors because of exposure to water and moisture. Your cabinet doors can come into contact with water and moisture from the sink, the refrigerator, and so on.
If you notice water damage on your kitchen cabinets, you should repair them as soon as possible! Doing so will prevent your cabinets from breaking any further.
How To Repair Water Damaged Cabinet Doors
Now that you know how water damages your cabinet doors, it’s time to fix the problem. If you want to fix your damaged cabinet doors, read on!
Before anything else, you’ll need to assess the situation. Take a good look at your cabinets.
If your cabinet doors are soft and moldy, then you should call an expert. You can also opt to replace them entirely.
However, if your cabinets only show minimal signs of water damage, you can choose to get a professional to repair them, or repair them yourself.
Step #1. Preparation
It’s essential to remove any items inside your cabinets. Let the cabinet doors dry for a few days before working on them. You should make sure they’re dry before repairing them.
Remove your cabinet doors from the cabinet. You can ask someone to help you unhinge the doors.
Once you’ve removed them, you can now move to a more open space, like your garage. Lay a cloth on a sturdy table and place your cabinets there.
Step #2. Repairing
Once your workspace is ready, it’s time to repair your water-damaged cabinet doors.
2.1 Priming your cabinet doors
To begin, put two coats of shellac primer on the cabinet doors. A shellac primer can help remove minor stains, scratches, and blemishes on wooden surfaces. The primer will even out the surface of your cabinet doors.
You can easily find this type of primer in hardware stores. Another bonus is that you can paint over the shellac primer with almost any paint!
After applying the paint:
- Use plastic wood filler on the more damaged parts of your cabinet
- Spread the stuffing using a blunt knife or spatula
- Make sure that the surface is as flat as possible
2.2 Sanding your cabinet doors
After applying the primer and the filler, take a 120 grit sandpaper and begin sanding down the surface of the cabinet door. You can do this manually or by machine.
If you feel that the cabinets need another layer of primer and filler, you can repeat the first two steps. After reapplying primer and filler, sand the cabinet doors once again. Once the cabinet doors look smooth and even, you can now paint them.
2.3 Painting your cabinet doors
You should match the paint color to the cabinet doors’ original color. Use any painting tool to cover the entire cabinet door with paint. Before applying another layer of paint, make sure the previous coat is dry.
When the cabinet doors are dry, sand them again with coarse sandpaper. Repaint the cabinet doors, then file them once more. Finally, apply a varnish or water-resistant sealant.
When to replace your cabinet doors
What do you do if your cabinet doors are soft, moldy, and falling apart? Maybe it’s time to replace them.
If you’re worried about the cost, you can get insurance to help pay for the water damage repairs or replacement. However, this only applies if your cabinet doors were damaged because of hurricanes, storms, or earthquakes. There’s also insurance coverage for sudden water damage like a pipe bursting or an appliance breaking.
Getting your cabinet doors replaced requires more time and effort. It’s best to maintain them properly to avoid water damage.
How do I protect my cabinets from water damage?
Water damage may sound troublesome, but there are ways to prevent it! First, you can choose a waterproof sealant for your cabinets and cabinet doors.
You should also waterproof areas like the kitchen and bathroom sink, pipes, and backsplashes. Popular choices for waterproofing include silicone installments.
Don’t forget to regularly check your cabinets and cabinet doors for any signs of water damage. If you smell something musty, then there might be water damage.
Conclusion
What are you waiting for? Give your cabinet doors an inspection and bring your water-damaged cabinets back to life. You don’t need to worry about this pesky problem now that you know how to repair water damaged cabinet doors!