Replies

1. 
   DanH | Oct 30, 2009 06:50pm | #1

   At the very least, with standard particle-board substrates for Formica, the exposed underside of the particle board should be coated with some sort of reasonably waterproof coating (eg, spar varnish) above the DW door (and also in front of the sink).

   A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter

   
   

   ---

   Edited 10/30/2009 11:50 am by DanH

2. 
   Dinosaur | Oct 30, 2009 07:15pm | #2

   What you describe is fairly common. The service life of MDF carcases and countertops surrounding an automatic dishwasher is not usually more than 20 years. Solid wood or plywood carcases and countertop will last much longer.

   The gyprock in any damp area should be moisture-resistant type (greenboard). This is especially important if there is no continuous back to the cabs that spans the DW niche (as there often isn't).

   Should you decide to change out the cabinets and countertop, I recommend replacing the gyprock behind them as well, and continuing the tile backsplash down to the floor in the area behind the sink and dishwashing machine.

   Dinosaur

   How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
   low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
   foolish men call Justice....
   

   

1. 
   HappyHomer | Oct 30, 2009 08:07pm | #3

   Thanks for the ideas for protecting the surfaces... Has anyone tackled a method for ventilating the cavity? I'm noticing that the airflow path through the gap between the top of the base cabinet and the bottom of the countertop. If doing a new install, probably best to ensure that gap is sealed up, but then how to ventilate the space? vent port in countertop? ducting up wall behind upper cabinets? vent outside if on exterior wall? thanks,

1. 
   Dinosaur | Oct 30, 2009 08:36pm | #4

   If you really want to vent that cavity, you could do any of the three things you suggested, but I've never seen or heard of anyone doing them.

   Dinosaur

   How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

1. 
   HappyHomer | Oct 30, 2009 08:57pm | #5

   Thanks,Like I preface in my original post... just a thought exercise. I'm looking long term at a complete kitchen reno and I'm all about the details.... If anyone else out there has ever seen a venting solution for this type of situation, I'd love to hear about it. It may not be that big of a deal...again, thanks.

1. 
   watchmenow | Oct 31, 2009 03:51am | #7

   Wash the dishes in the sink. less energy used, more time talking, no moisture problem (sic) in the cabinets.Some of the saddest, emptiest people I have known are those who were raised to believe that they were above others. Even when among their peer group, they're not really happy because the bond which they share is easily broken, due to it's illusionary nature.

2. 
   DanH | Oct 31, 2009 05:30am | #9

   Actually, in most tests washing dishes in the sink uses more energy.
   A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter

2. 
   DanH | Oct 30, 2009 09:12pm | #6

   Bring the HVAC duct in under the cabs and arrange so that some of the flow will go through the area. You just need some airflow, not a breeze.
   A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity. --Jimmy Carter

3. 
   rnsykes | Oct 31, 2009 05:23am | #8

   I don't know of any dishwasher that vents into it's cavity. I can understand moisture on the underside of the counter near the edge, but that tells me that the Dishwasher is set too deep into the cavity. I'd try to find out how that moisture is getting in there to begin with.

1. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Oct 31, 2009 05:37am | #10

   I've seen them - don't remember the make though. One of the major brands. It has a little fan on the top left back corner and a hole you can see through to the inside.Maybe it's supposed to blow in, not out. If I was going to buy one - and I almost did - I was going to set op a relay controlled vent fan to assist it.

   Tu stultus esRebuilding my home in Cypress, CAAlso a CRX fanatic!

   Look, just send me to my drawer.  This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.