Rotting wood in bathroom kitchen cupboards ..

another_casualty

Howdy !
When I moved up into my flat a few months ago , I had a completely new bathroom installed . All great , fine and dandy .
However a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that the left hand side of the bathroom cupboard under the sink has already started rotting away. Just inside the left door . The cause maybe dampness ?
Reason I say that , is that the sink and toilet were moved back a bit more flush to the wall giving me more room. Every thing is fine in there otherwise .

In the kitchen , the wood between the two doors under the sink is rotting away rapidly . The left hand door keeps falling off and is virtually useless . The kitchen had quite a big revamp except for the cupboards. Again , could it be dampness ? Both sinks are on the outside walls so to speak .

What’s the best way to repair and prevent things from getting worse?

Almost forgot to mention : no windows in kitchen / bathroom and I’ve had a dehumidifier for about 3 weeks or so
Thanks

another_casualty

One other thing I forgot to mention is that a small tile on the bottom next to the toilet is coming away and is mouldy . Needs regrouting .

Lorian

Best re-grout the tile and post some photos of the rot, a few months is a bit quick for rot to be setting in.

another_casualty

Thanks Lori an . I have to admit , I haven’t a clue as to how to post pics on this site . I’m okay on others .
The annoying thing is I’ve taken the pics already .
The new style bathroom is flush against the wall , when it wasn’t before
Just noticed the tiny tile on other side of toilet bowl is beginning to bubble.

I have just put my hands around all troubled spots mentioned in bathroom
Very cold but not wet anywhere .

The rest of the bathroom is fine . This was done in may this year .
There is a smell in cupboard under bathroom sink. Tbh I don’t use it much and have a few items in there .
Thanks

Lizabeth21

You don’t mention what floor these rooms are on, ground? First?
Is there a leak somewhere? Apart from “rotting” any other signs of water?
Was there any sign of damp before you had the work done?

another_casualty

Lizabeth21 wrote: »

You don’t mention what floor these rooms are on, ground? First?
Is there a leak somewhere? Apart from “rotting” any other signs of water?
Was there any sign of damp before you had the work done?

Thanks Lizabeth

I’m on the ground floor of a converted house into 3 flats .
Lots of stud walls etc. Nothing was wet initially . There was a tiny bit of mold in the bedroom by the window on the skirting board a few weeks ago. Dehumidifier must be doing a good job as there is nothing
Now .
This was built around 1900. Converted approx2000
Wooden floors etc . All carpeted now throughout except kitchen and bathroom

Lizabeth21

After a few months of having bathroom installed assuming the cupboard is new there should be no damp or mould and certainly the wood should not be rotting.
My bathrooms were installed in 2009-no mould or damp.
Water (from leaks) can travel a long way and not necessarily where you expect so can sometimes be difficult to trace.
Sounds like you’ve had everything built in so it may not be easily accessible or obvious.

another_casualty

Thanks again Lisa Beth .:
What I was thinking of doing is having a word with the builder and seeing what he suggests .
When I had the bathroom and kitchen done , it was may.
I moved in 1st June . So hot weather etc . Bought dehumidifier a few weeks ago . It may have helped .

Lizabeth21

Good idea. Get the builder back.

another_casualty

I got on well with the builder , so I’ll drop him an email during the week. Will send him pics as well .

another_casualty

Thought it best to update .
Builder came last Friday . He was a little puzzled regarding the bathroom. There was a damp patch on the floor by the toilet bowl, reached by removing the lid from cistern . He advised me to put dehumidifier in bathroom for a couple of days over the weekend.

When he returned ,the builder found a slight leak and fixed it . He also turned down the pressure of the tap as it was evident there was a lot of splashes when washing , cleaning teeth etc.
Regarding the tile : it cannot be purchased separately as it is part of the unit he installed and not wall tiles as such. He will paint it with gloss when ne returns . He also put filler on the bottom of bathroom cabinet . So far , it seems the problem in the bathroom has been sorted.
Onto the kitchen...
When I moved into the flat there was no washing machine .
Everything else was as expected . Like the bathroom, I found the kitchen somewhat depressing and gave the builder extra work to revamp . This entailed new worktop, new sink and tap and he recommended a far cheaper alternative to carpetright for the vinyl flooring in kitchen and carpet for entire flat saving me a Packet.

However, the builder found some water under the plinth on the floor in the corner around where my new washing machine is located.
He seems to think it may be because the pipe from one of the wall taps may be leaking . As for the rotting wood under the sink , he found a mold patch which could spread. A couple of floor joists will have to be replaced.
The builder will be coming back to take care of the kitchen problem .
There was no charge for the bathroom problems .
There will be a cost obviously for the kitchen . It does seem that the people who lived here before me left the kitchen and bathroom in a manky condition . The seller let it out .
I am also awaiting a quote for new cupboard doors for kitchen .