Technician placing air movers in a kitchen after a leak. Illustrative image of the process; it does not document a job done for this site.
Why remodels find these leaks
A slow drip from a sink trap, a dishwasher supply or a refrigerator ice-maker line can soak into a cabinet floor and the subfloor below for a long time without showing up anywhere a homeowner would look. Cabinets hide the floor, and the room below may have a dropped ceiling or an unfinished utility area where a small stain goes unnoticed.
When the old cabinets come out, the contractor sees darkened, soft or crumbling plywood, black staining along the joists, and sometimes active growth. At that point the remodel is no longer just cosmetic. The damaged structure has to be dealt with before new cabinets and flooring go in, or the new kitchen will be built on a weak, possibly moldy base.
Do these before work continues
- Ask the remodeler to stop work in the damaged area until it has been assessed.
- Photograph everything from several angles, with something for scale, before anything else is removed.
- Keep the failed fitting, trap or supply line if one is identified.
- Note whether the area is still wet or dry and stained; that distinction matters to everyone involved.
- Check the ceiling or framing below the kitchen for staining or soft spots.
- If the house predates about 1980, ask whether any flooring or adhesive being removed should be tested for asbestos first.
Sorting out next steps
- IfThe area is still actively wetThenThe leak may be ongoing. Have a plumber find and fix the source, then have moisture readings taken before closing anything up.
- IfThe wood is dry but stained and solidThenThe leak may be old and stopped. Ask whether the stained material can be cleaned and sealed or should be replaced.
- IfSubfloor or joists are soft, delaminated or crumblingThenStructural repair comes first; your remodeler may handle it or may suggest a separate contractor.
- IfThere is visible growth over a large areaThenAsk about containment and proper removal rather than simply tearing it out with the rest of the demolition.
Questions for the insurer and the contractor
Many policies treat long-term leaks differently from sudden ones, so ask before assuming anything is or is not covered.
- Does my policy cover any part of damage that developed over time, or only the sudden part?
- Do you want an adjuster to see the area before it is repaired?
- Will the remodel contract change to include structural repair, and how will that be priced and documented?
- Who is responsible for confirming the area is dry before new flooring goes down?
- Should the remaining plumbing in this kitchen be updated while the walls and floor are open?
General information for Lakewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.