Water damaged Kitchen protection.

2 years ago

For the 3rd time my house has sprung a leak and the result was damaged base cabinets.

A busted ice-maker line and a bent copper pipe started spraying after 40 years.

So. I need a method of elevating the base cabinets so the are not damaged with a 1/4 accumulation of water intended for the ice-maker.

I do not think building a ladder base of pressure treated timber is best since this will just capture the leaked water.

I am trying to find 'LEGS' upon which to place the bases. These need to also accommodate the toe kick the conceal the legs. Or should I just go by 10 HUSKY rolling work benches and call them kitchen cabinets?

Featured Answer

bry911

2 years ago

There are plenty of cabinet leveler legs with plinth attachment parts that work great.

https://www.build.com/product/summary/1435413 There are hundreds of versions of this in varying levels of quality/reputation.

It is important that the legs are placed under the cabinet sides rather than the cabinet bottom. You want the force moved from the vertical plywood (cabinet sides) to the legs, without being carried to the horizontal plywood (cabinet bottom). You can do this with a plywood deck if you have to.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

cat_ky
2 years ago
I wouldnt want my cabinets raised up that high. I would just make sure all the leaks and plumbing is in good condition, and then put the new cabinets back on the floor where they belong. Even an extra inch raised can make a huge difference for some people to use.
Related Professionals
Palm Bay Home Remodeling · Fargo Home Remodeling · Cookeville General Contractors · Lafayette General Contractors · Helena General Contractors · Champaign Bathroom Remodelers · Marinette Bathroom Remodelers · Cherry Hill Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cincinnati Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Mankato Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · San Angelo Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Vancouver Kitchen Remodelers · Vidalia Custom Countertops · Salina Custom Countertops · Erie Custom Countertops
bry911
2 years ago
The cabinets are the exact same height if done correctly. Most European cabinets removed the integrated toe kick quite some time ago as getting cabinets off the floor in an area that can occasionally see water is just smart.

The integrated toe kick can be removed from most cabinets in order to get them off the floor, but that may take a bit of skill to do.
iroll
2 years ago
IKEA has several kinds of legs, plinths, etc.

Frames, rails, legs & toekicks
Larry Oatka
Original Author
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Thanks bry911. I looked at the many choices offered in your link. As you pointed out, making the modification to keep the weight on the vertical lines will prove tricky. I am not seeing anything that is appropriate for placing beneath the single or double side wall.

I am pursuing the options of 'no toe kick cutout on the base and using legs behind a toe kick veneer. And even then the 3/4 inch bottom must be reconfigured to extend beneath the vertical walls of the cabinet. That will make attaching the legs a breeze.
Larry Oatka
Original Author
2 years ago
cat_ky.

How does one do that? Leak one was casued by a failed line to the ice maker. Leak two was in a copper pipe between the walls that was installed 50 years ago. Both leaks, ten years apart, ruined the kitchen BECAUSE the frame was resting on the floor. A one inch elevation off the floor or a none-wicking leg would have preserved the base cabinets.
bry911
2 years ago
“I am pursuing the options of 'no toe kick cutout on the base and using legs behind a toe kick veneer. And even then the 3/4 inch bottom must be reconfigured to extend beneath the vertical walls of the cabinet.”

A trick I have used is to build a platform with legs. Typically, a ledger board is attached to the wall, and a frame is constructed out of 1x4’s (Laid flat) with adjustable legs attached. The platform is leveled and the toe kick is scribed before cabinets are installed. When aligned correctly the 1x4 gives you a 3/4” nailer for the toe kick, this stops them from being occasionally kicked off from the legs. It also makes installing the cabinets a breeze as everything is true and level before the first cabinet is installed.