How To Replace The Wood Under A Kitchen Sink? 

Have you found the wood beneath the kitchen basin rotten? You are not the only one to face such trouble. Quite a common kitchen problem, rotten wood under the sink can be dangerous if not cured. In such cases, you will need to replace the wood under a kitchen sink as repairing is not a viable option. 

When it comes to floor replacement under the sink, a DIY process is the best. It is cheaper and more convenient if you have beginner-level expertise. But how will you replace the floor under the sink? Sounds a bit tricky, right? No worries. I will show the process.

Here, I will talk about replacing the sink floor. Moreover, this article will give you some tips and clarify your queries. 

8 Steps To Replace The Wood Under A Kitchen Sink

Following a certain step makes the work easy and neat. After several years of experience, I have developed an easy sink floor replacement process. This is ideal for DIYers. Have a look and take note of the following steps.

Step 1: Gather The Materials

Have a look at what materials you will need for the DIY project. Gather them first. 

• Hand saw/ circular saw;
• Nails;
• Drilling machine;
• Screws;
• 2×4 wood boards;
• Chalk line;
• Rafter hook;
• Safety glasses and mask.

Step 2: Mark Spots To Cut On The Wood

Look for the soft spot. You will need to cut the whole floor if the damage is all across the floor. In case of minimal impairment, decide which part of the floor you will replace. Make chalk lines to mark the spots where you will cut. 

Step 3: Prepare For The Cut

Wear a face mask and goggles for your safety. Then decide which saw you would use. Most people use a hand saw as you can run it at your speed and direction. However, using a circular and power saw will be faster and easier. But keeping the hand steady will be a task.

Step 4: Remove The Damaged Wood

You may use a rafter hook to hang and align the saw to the point of cut. Precisely cut the damaged wooden floor as per the lines you have drawn. Don’t cut the floor deeper than ¾ inches. 

In case there are beams below the floor, don’t cut them. Make a small cut and check for the joists. Avoid cutting it, and then cut and remove the damaged part.

Step 5: Clean The Beneath The Floor

As you have cut through the floor, you can see beneath it. Locate the joists first. Now, let’s see if they’re in good position or not. If not, you may like to add reinforcement. Put a torch inside and look for the residues of the rotten wood. 

Step 6: Gather Wood And Trim

The wood that you have collected has to be trimmed before installing. Get a measuring tape. Measure the length and width of the area from where you have removed the wood. Transfer the measurement to the wood blocks. Now trim the wood as per the measurement. Similarly, measure the joist length and cut the wood to make the joists. 

Step 7: Reinforce The Joists

Trim 2×4 size lumbers to make 2 inches thick joists. Nail these beams on the previous joists. For extra reinforcement, you may add blocks between the joists. This is such a process that can make the foundation durable and strong. Screw the shafts on both sides and at the center.

Step 8: Replace With A New Floor Sink

Take a wooden block and cut it as needed. Cut the block as much as you need to cover the rotten area. For this, accurate measurement is mandatory. Next, nail the wooden slab to the joists firmly. The new floor beneath the kitchen sink is now installed. 

Reasons Why You Should Replace The Wood Under A Kitchen Sink

There are several conditions when you may need to replace the wooden floor beneath the sink. Overlooking the issue may not help. Instead, repairing is mandatory when such conditions appear. Have a look at these reasons. 

• Water Leak:

If the water leaks from the sink due to faulty fixtures, it will saturate the wood. As this happens, the water warps the wood and rots it gradually. The floor becomes fragile and risky as it may break at any time. In this condition, repairing or replacing the floor is needed. 

• Leaky Pipe:

Frequently, people don’t even notice the condition. This is because of some internal pipe leaks beneath the sink. When this happens, the leaky pipe routes and distorts the wood. Soft spots are created, damaging the entire flooring. This is another condition when you may need to replace the floor. 

• Dirty Floor:

Besides the water leak, replacement is often needed when the floor is too dirty. If you rarely clean the floor under the sink, it will rot. Excess moisture and dirt build layers on the wood destroying its condition. Keeping the floor clean is, therefore, essential to avoid damage. 

• Mold Growth:

An excessive damp condition under the sink is ideal for mold breeding. Mold growth not only develops buildups but also eats away the wood. It feeds on the wood, eventually making it fragile and soft. Therefore, a replacement becomes mandatory. 

• Risky Floor:

When the wood is rotten, you can’t just avoid it. As the sink floor is attached to the kitchen floor, the condition may expand through the kitchen floor. The potential risk of the state is high as the entire floor becomes vulnerable. Thus in case of sink floor damage, floor replacement should be done as soon as possible. 

5 Tips To Replace The Wood Under A Kitchen Sink

Replacing the sink floor involves a lot of processes. Each step is delicate and crucial. Precision is required to do the task perfectly. I have some tips for you to help you get the best outcome. Have a look. 

Tip 1: Look For Leaks

Though not directly related to replacement, make sure you identify the leaks. It is better if you fix the pipe while replacing the wood. Otherwise, you will face further problems. You may lay a paper beneath the sink to look for the leaked points. Take help from a plumber to fix the issue. 

Tip 2: Conceal The Floor Ends

Though many may not suggest this, I love this trick. Water mainly seeps across the ends and edges of the floor. So it is better to conceal the edges. Use wood putty to seal the ends and edges of the floor under the basin. Painting it will help too.

Tip 3: Seal The Wood

Sealing will make the wooden floor sturdy and more water-resistant. Even if there is excess water exposure, sealing will protect the wood. After you install the new flooring, seal the wood properly. This will keep the wood safe and durable. 

Tip 4: Use Plywood

Installing plywood or particle board is always better than installing solid wood. Plywood is more water-resistant than wood. They are more long-lasting and durable in moisture conditions. If you decide to replace the wood, I suggest replacing it with plywood. 

Tip 5: Disconnect Pipes

Often, the pipes go through the cabinet flooring. In that case, you will need to turn off the water supply for the kitchen. Then disconnect the lines carefully before working on the wooden surface. Otherwise, you may end up cracking or breaking the pipes. 

Related Questions:

How Do You Replace The Bottom Piece Of Wood Under Your Kitchen Sink?

To replace the bottom wood of the kitchen sink, you will need to clear the area first. Soak the dampness and clear the debris. Next, cut through the damaged wood to remove the rotten part. If the whole place is damaged, cut across the edges.

If necessary, repair and reinforce the joists, and cut large and thick particle boards to cover the area you have eliminated. Next, place the particleboard on the joists and nail it firmly. 

What Kind Of Wood Do You Put Under A Kitchen Sink?

Solid wood is not ideal for kitchen basin flooring. Hardwood and even engineered hardwood are minimally water-resistant. Therefore, it is better not to use these woods in the kitchen. 

The ideal and best wood to use is plywood or particle board. They are highly durable, sturdy, and reasonably water-resistant. When sealed, plywood and particleboard become long-lasting. Moreover, it is easy to work with these materials if you are a DIYer.

How Do You Replace A Kitchen Sink Base Cabinet?

To replace the cabinet base, you must first unscrew the cabinet doors. Then, remove the pipes and other fixtures from the cabinet base. Clean the bottom once. The next task is to trim the base. 

With a saw, cut through the cabinet base where it is damaged. If the entire floor is rotten, cut along the edges. Remove the rotten part from the base. Now cut another particle board that will fit into the area. Fix the particleboard by nailing it to the cabinet walls. Finally, reinstall the doors. 

How Do You Fix Water-Damaged Particle Board Cabinets?

You can fix water-damaged particle board cabinets by removing the rotten parts. Trim the damaged parts from the cabinet. Remove it. Be it the door, base, or walls; you must eliminate the rotten parts. 

Now measure the area that you have trimmed off. As per that measurement, buy and trim new particleboards. Next, nail the new particleboard in the cabinet. Seal the edges precisely. If needed, sand and paint the cabinet to make them durable. 

How Much Does It Cost To Replace The Kitchen Sink Board?

Many people don’t prefer replacing the sink board by themselves. They hire an expert who comes at a cost. Depending on the material, the severity of the damage, and the tools needed, the replacement cost will vary. 

Usually, replacing the sink board beneath the sink may cost between $200 to $600. Only cleaning beneath the sink will cost around $100. Note that the cost of the new particleboard is not included in this cost.

Final Verdict:

Replacing the wooden base under the kitchen basin can be made simple with the mentioned steps. You need to have minimal expertise in the task to execute it. However, if you follow my process and tips, you will get a good outcome. 

Therefore, consider replacing the sink base as soon as possible if it is heavily damaged. Otherwise, the damage will spread only.