Keeping mold out of your kitchen once demo is done
If a remodel skips certain details, moisture can settle around the range hood, beneath the sink, and along the joints where the counter meets the backsplash. Before the cabinets close, go over ventilation, plumbing, liners, and sealants with your contractor, and check them against the product instructions.
What you'll learn
- Where to check for moisture in the kitchen before the cabinets are closed up
- Questions about ventilation to raise before the range hood goes in
- Following the specified sealants where the counter meets the backsplash
Step by step
- Talk through range-hood ventilation before the cabinets close
Before cabinets and ceilings get closed up, talk about cooking moisture, grease, makeup air, duct routing, noise, and where the air discharges. The hood should be sized and installed according to the appliance manufacturer’s instructions and whatever requirements apply to your project.
- Get the sink drain and supply lines inspected
Before the cabinet gets closed, have a qualified plumber look over the drain, the trap, the supply connections, the shutoff valves, and the connections for the disposal and the dishwasher. If anything needs repair or replacement, it should meet the requirements that apply to your project.
- Line the under-sink cabinet
Choose a water-resistant tray or liner that you can remove, that fits the cabinet, and that leaves the plumbing connections visible. Check the cabinet and its connections on a regular basis, and deal with any moisture or staining quickly.
- Seal changes of plane with the specified sealant
Where the backsplash meets the counter, and at other changes of plane, ask the tile and countertop installers what sealant the assembly manufacturers call for. Then check those joints, and fill any gaps with a compatible product.
Before grout, caulk, adhesive, or sealant meets water or gets everyday use, check the manufacturer's instructions and follow them for cure time, temperature, humidity, and ventilation.
Need a contractor to look at your kitchen?
Modern Kitchen San Diego is a referral service. Send us a note with your city and what you’re planning, and we’ll try to match you with an independent kitchen remodeler who works in your area.
Keep learning.
How to plan a kitchen layout
Bring a measured sketch and a list of what can't move, and your first talk with a designer or contractor will get somewhere useful. For aisle and appliance clearances, check with the people who'll actually build the kitchen rather than leaning on a generic rule of thumb.
Choosing the right countertop material
The material you pick shapes how much upkeep the surface needs, how it handles heat and moisture, where the seams fall, and what the installed quote comes to. Look at samples in your own kitchen light, and rely on manufacturer instructions and itemized quotes instead of any one list of best surfaces.
Choosing your cabinet style and finish
The look of your whole kitchen starts with the cabinets. Settle the door profile, box construction, and hardware before you place an order, and you avoid a costly change once fabrication is underway.