How to Repair Water Damage to Plywood on a Kitchen Floor

Do It Yourself Kitchen Plywood Repair

Kitchen floors take more abuse than any other floor in a house. With the weight of the appliances, the potential for water damage and potential damage from the act of cooking, there are a number of issues that can damage the kitchen floor. Water damage is an especially troubling issue. Water can damage your subfloor, the plywood beneath your actual kitchen floor, and it can cause swelling, rotting and even mold. Repair the damage as quickly as possible and replacing the plywood will not be necessary. Depending on your floor type, you may need to completely replace the top floor of your project as access to your plywood will likely mean cutting through the top floor.

Things You'll Need

• Pry bar
• Carpenter knife
• Screw gun
• 2-inch wood screws
• Orbital (or belt) sander
• 40 (or 80) grit sandpaper
• Bleach

Instructions

1. Remove the floor. For tile, you will be removing the tiles and breaking apart the mortar and grout. For linoleum, you will cut the linoleum with your knife and remove the adhesive. For carpet, you will loosen the edge and pull it off the tack strip.

2. Assess the damages. You will be looking at your subfloor plywood at this point. If the wood is discolored or swollen you will continue on. In the unlikely case that your plywood looks like it is rotting, you will need to replace the plywood completely.

3. Sand out any potential mold spots and any swelling areas. Any areas that are any color other than wood should get hit with the sander.

4. Bleach the spots you just sanded to ensure that the mold cannot grow back.

5. Screw the 2-inch screws through any high seams in your plywood where swelling may have occurred.

6. Replace the top floor.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult a professional at the home improvement store for advice on your specific project. Many times these people are former contractors and can offer key advice.

References

• I can fix up my Home: Plywood Subfloor Repair
• Factoidz: Subfloor Repair