Me, the kitchen sink and a wooden worktop !

Different_Corner

Hi
After some advice, please, total newbie when it comes to DIY, but willing to learn.
I have a kitchen that was made with TLC by previous owners. We've been here just over 4 years, so I guess it's at least 6 years old. I can't tell which wood he used, I suppose it could be beech but it's been well used.

My problem is behind the sink - which is set into said work top - there is about an inch of wood running the length of sink and draining board then a raised tiled window sill. This space is a water trap, and the wood seems to be almost spongy at the back behind the taps. I've replaced the seal between the sill and counter.

What can I use to seal the wood ? I know I have to let it dry out, sand it and replace sink/wood edge sealant. But would rather prevent this happening again.

Thanks for reading

sheslookinhot

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poppet

any real wood needs a coating on it to protect it from the elements and wear and tear, be it a wooden dining table, oak flooring or a beach kitchen work top.
If your worktop is indeed real wood then it is likely to have been sealed or coated with oil, to protect it from water. But once coated the oil will soon wear off with regular wiping down and cleaning, as is common in a kitchen. the more regularly you wipe and wash the worktop, the more often you will have to re-oil it.
In our previous kitchen we had a beech worktop and had to re-oil it 3 or 4 times a year.
If your worktop has not been given a coat of oil in a long time, Iexpect the wood to be extreamly thirsty and will suck up lots of oil in the first instance, just keep pouring it on and rubbing it in untill it has all totally soaked in - the maintain a regular re-oiling regeime.

if you leave it as it is the water will not be repelled but will soak into the worktop and eventually it will rot and warp.

Steve_Groves

If you are going to oil your wood then my recommendation would be Danish Oil. If I remember right, it is a mixture of oil and some resins. Three coats of this will make the worktop water resistent (not waterproof) with a nice sheen.

First time I tried it I was suspicious but you wipe it on with a rag and wipe off any excess. It's as easy as that.

poppet wrote: »

any real wood needs a coating on it to protect it from the elements and wear and tear, be it a wooden dining table, oak flooring or a beach kitchen work top.
If your worktop is indeed real wood then it is likely to have been sealed or coated with oil, to protect it from water. But once coated the oil will soon wear off with regular wiping down and cleaning, as is common in a kitchen. the more regularly you wipe and wash the worktop, the more often you will have to re-oil it.
In our previous kitchen we had a beech worktop and had to re-oil it 3 or 4 times a year.
If your worktop has not been given a coat of oil in a long time, Iexpect the wood to be extreamly thirsty and will suck up lots of oil in the first instance, just keep pouring it on and rubbing it in untill it has all totally soaked in - the maintain a regular re-oiling regeime.

if you leave it as it is the water will not be repelled but will soak into the worktop and eventually it will rot and warp.