I am planning on installing Ikea in my kitchen. My biggest concern for the future is water damage for under the sink area. When that day comes, how feasible is it to take out a sink single cabinet and replace it?
on a side note I am considering installing an under mounded sink, not sure if it matters.
thank you
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Replies
Do your plumbing and cab install right will reduce the possibility of repair later.
I’ve put together some ikea cabs but never installed a kitchen of their cabinets.
Pulling a cabinet will require you plan ahead on its original install. Sink will need removed of coarse and all other connections penetrating that cab. You are going to need to be able to pull it straight out from under the counter. So, allow enough play for that or plan on demoing it in place.
Do it right the first time.
Can you recommend what would I need to do to install it correctly so I can remove it later?
This is something I have not done, nor do I remember ever pulling just one cabinet out of a run of cabs…….but 50 yrs of carpentry…….might have missed one.
No bottom lip on the countertop.
Maybe no back panel on the cabinet. Just a stile on the back for support.
Plumbing and electric that can be completely removed from inside the box.
No screws down through from the top. All screws connecting the bank of cabs together….put ‘em where you can remove them
Probably shorten the toe kick of the box and shim it up. When you gut the box you should be able to remove the shims and pull it out.
But trust me, do it right the first time and don’t muck it up…..you won’t need to pull just that one box.
The back panel of IKEA cabinets are not the same as the other sides, they are a much thinner material which can easily be demoed out if one really had too - which would be a plus in this case.
Unless all the plumbing penetrations are on the cabinet back, there is no practical way of installing a new cabinet with a counter installed. There also has to be a way of removing and installing the sink from the bottom to slide a new cabinet in.
Better to ensure that replacement is not required, which means the sink cabinet has to be water resistant. If you use an Ikea cabinet, seal all edges and holes before assembly to prevent any water from getting to the bare particle board. Caulk all joints when assembling.
A better option is to make the sink cabinet out of a good quality cabinet plywood. Paint and seal all surfaces and penetrations. Caulk the joints. Use one of the other cabinets as a template. You will only need the hinge locations for the doors, so you can skip the rows of 5mm holes.
Use a sturdy sink support to prevent tension on the sink to counter seal.
Use good quality fixtures/fittings and install those properly.
Use glued together drains.
https://www.finehomebuilding.com/project-guides/plumbing/better-undersink-plumbing.
Thank you so much for all the great advices