That musty smell is always a warning sign, for sure. I’ve seen way too many people just patch over the damage and hope it holds, but honestly, that’s just asking for trouble down the line. In my experience, if there’s been any real water exposure, you can’t trust those old pipes to be fine—sometimes they look okay on the outside but are corroded or cracked underneath. I’d rather pull everything out and check the plumbing properly than risk a hidden leak turning into a full-blown mold problem later. It’s not just about the cabinets; it’s about making sure you’re not setting yourself up for a bigger headache.
I get where you’re coming from, but sometimes ripping everything out feels a bit extreme—especially if you’re trying to minimize waste. I’d rather start with a moisture meter and eco-friendly mold treatments before gutting the whole setup. Not every musty smell means disaster, you know?
Not every musty smell means disaster, you know?
That’s true, but I’ve seen a lot of folks ignore that musty smell under the sink and end up with a much bigger headache down the line. Had a job last winter—lady thought it was just a bit of dampness, so she tried some sprays and baking soda. A few weeks later, the cabinet bottom was soft as a sponge and the leak had rotted out half the baseboard. Ended up costing her way more than if she’d caught it early.
I’m all for not ripping stuff out unless you have to, but I always recommend pulling everything out from under there and checking for any signs of water damage or mold behind the cabinet. Sometimes you can’t see what’s really going on until you get in there. Moisture meters are handy, but trust your nose too—if it smells off and you can’t find an obvious source, there might be something hidden.
Eco-friendly treatments are great for surface mold, but if the wood’s already soft or swollen, it’s probably time to replace at least part of it. Better safe than sorry when it comes to water damage... those little leaks love to hide.
I hear you on the hidden leaks—those can be a nightmare. I’ve had tenants swear it was “just a little damp” under the sink, only to find out later the whole cabinet was toast. Curious, though: has anyone here actually tried those moisture meters? I usually just go by feel and smell, but maybe I’m missing something. Also, at what point do you folks decide it’s time to call in a pro instead of tackling it yourself? Sometimes I wonder if I jump the gun...
Curious, though: has anyone here actually tried those moisture meters? I usually just go by feel and smell, but maybe I’m missing something.
I’ve used a moisture meter a couple times, mostly when I was dealing with a stubborn leak that just wouldn’t show itself. Honestly, they’re handy for peace of mind, but I wouldn’t say they’re a must-have unless you’re dealing with chronic issues or you’re super detail-oriented. Nine times out of ten, your nose and hands will tell you what you need to know—if it smells musty or feels soft, you’ve got a problem.
As for calling in a pro, I usually draw the line at anything involving the main water line or if I see mold starting to spread. If it’s just a leaky trap or a loose fitting, I’ll handle it myself. But if you’re pulling out cabinets or there’s water damage creeping into the walls, it’s probably time to get someone who knows what they’re doing. Sometimes it feels like overkill, but I’ve seen DIY fixes turn into bigger headaches down the road. Better safe than sorry, especially if tenants are involved.
