If you don’t take proper precautions and steps to ensure that your kitchen is waterproofed, you can suffer from mold and water damage. Old rusted pipes, leaky faucets, and outdated appliances can all lead to water leaking into your kitchen. Water damage can be very tricky to treat and can cost you a lot of money, too, whereas mold can pose a serious threat to your health.
If you plan on redoing your kitchen or just want to make a few changes for better waterproofing, here are some things you can do.
1. Waterproof your Countertops
Most old houses have wooden countertops. Wood is very susceptible to water and can become warped or rotten if constantly exposed to water. If you have old wooden countertops, you can waterproof them by adding fresh paint and varnish. For extra protection, use a few coats of primer under the paint and use caulk to fill in any cracks or holes in the wood.
2. Replace Old Countertops with Marble or Quartz
If you are in the process of remodeling and have some extra money in the budget, getting all new countertops can be a great way to waterproof the kitchen. If you get some new countertops made from marble or quartz, you’ll be spending quite a big sum of money but also completely removing the risk of water damage. Marble and quartz are non-porous and do not let water pass through them.
3. Update Your Pipes
Old pipes can become rusty and start leaking over time. Often, we don’t even realize that our pipes are leaking until it’s too late and we have a mini-flood in our kitchens. To avoid this, you should regularly check the condition of your pipes and replace old ones that have become worn out. Copper piping and PVC piping are both good options to choose from.
4. Check That Your Appliances Are Properly Connected
Many appliances in your kitchen use water. If these appliances are not properly connected to a water supply, water can leak onto the appliances and your cabinets and floors. Check the connections on your dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines to prevent water leaks.
5. Waterproof the Sink Cabinets and Under the Sink
It is difficult to entirely avoid any water getting onto the sink cabinets and underneath the sink. You can reduce the amount of water damage by priming, painting, and varnishing your cabinets and laying out rubber mats under the sink and on the floor of the cabinets. The paint and varnish protect the wood of the cabinets, and the rubber mats hold the water and can easily be cleaned.
6. Install a Backsplash
While using the sink or the stove, water can splash onto the walls and drip down onto the cabinets and into the cracks behind them. Over time these splashes can affect the quality of your cabinets and create water stains on your walls. To avoid this, you can have a backsplash installed. A backsplash is just tiling along the walls above the counters, sink, and stove. They are easy to install and relatively cheap as well.
7. Seal Your Floors Properly
The biggest waterproofing project for your kitchen would be tackling the flooring. If you have wooden floors in the kitchen, you run the risk of having the wood become warped, damaged, and rotten from exposure to water. You can seal your wood floors by applying a polyurethane seal onto the floorboards. You can also use caulking to fill in any gaps between the boards or any cracks and holes. Consider installing tiles on the kitchen floor if you have a bigger budget. Marble or ceramic tiles are waterproof and proper grouting ensures that no water seeps into the subfloor. Some cheaper alternatives are vinyl flooring and linoleum flooring.
Our Final Thoughts
It is better to be safe than sorry and take whichever steps you can to waterproof your kitchen properly. Water damage can be a huge problem, and dealing with water damage is tricky, time-consuming, and quite expensive too. Whether you make smaller changes or completely remodel your kitchen, be sure to keep waterproofing measures in mind.
For any kitchen plumbing work, try to contact a professional so that you do not end up doing more harm than good. Plumbing can be complicated, and it is not for anybody to try. Get in touch with Vigilante Plumbing for all your kitchen plumbing needs. Visit https://www.bestbrooklynplumber.com/ for more information on the services that they provide.
