Mould and mildew in the home can be at best annoying and at worst dangerous to our health, and with an increased focus on energy efficiency, we are finding that mildew and mould cases are rising. Once of the major factors in the appearance of mould and mildew is lack of ventilation – often as a result of energy efficiency measures.

Another major player in the appearance of mildew is the presence of water, and this is why cabinets below the sink are especially prone to outbreaks. In an attempt to prevent mildew, there are a number of measures that can be taken to keep water out of these cabinets:

Pipes and Water Damage

Make sure that you don’t have any leakage in your pipes and plumbing. They can easily get damaged, and you will find that water ends up dripping into your under sink cabinets. If your pipes are draining slowly, it could mean that you have a blockage somewhere, that you should try to unblock as quickly as possible.

Seal Around Sink

Ensure that the seal around your sink and work surface is in good condition and regularly replaced to prevent water from seeping into your cabinets through gaps in the seals.

Protect surfaces

Water can enter the cabinets under the sink through damages surfaces either within the sink itself or in the surfaces around the sink. Make sure that you repair or replace any damage as quickly as possible to reduce the potential for water coming through.

Wood Surface Protection

If you have wooden work surfaces near your sink it is recommended that you apply a varnish or seal to protect the wood and prevent long-term damage, with the potential to cause cracks and water leaks.

Tips to Prevent Mildew

Due to the fact that there is a lot of water around, there is a high probability that at some point your under the sink cabinet will get wet. Maybe you have neglected the seal or have suffered an unforeseen plumbing accident. Because of this, it is advisable to have your under the sink cabinet prepared for such an occasion, to ensure minimum damage and reduce the risk of the appearance of mildew.

• Protect the wood in your under the sink cabinet with a water-proofing varnish, special water-proofing tiles or a drip tray.
• When possible ventilate your cabinets to reduce the risk of condensation and mildew formation.
• Replace any damaged wood which is already present as this can make problems worse.

If the cabinet under the sink does get wet, dry as thoroughly and quickly as possible.

Preventing water entering your under-the-sink cabinets is an important part of looking after your home. In truth, water shouldn’t be leaking into these places, and so its existence is due to the fact that something isn’t right – usually either your plumbing, your sink or your work surfaces. It is important that you have your cabinet prepared so that damage is kept to a minimum and you can lessen the impact should the worse happen.

Thankfully, all of these measures are easy to carry out, meaning that you and your home can stay protected for years to come.
If you’re interested in preventing your cabinets from getting mouldy or damaged, then Contact Trends Wood Finishing and speak to a professional.