Might also recommend one of those moisture alarms to sit in the mat. Seems like that would be the winner combo. Something to contain the water and something to alert you of its presence.
I was just going to add that remark. Another step further maybe that the moisture sensor alert you on your phone in case you need to send someone to help mitigate this because you cannot get there in time.
I was also going to suggest a water alarm too. You just place the sensor on the mat and when water touches it the alarm will sound. So you know when something happens amd you can fix the problem. They are relatively cheap online. I got mine a while ago.
Triple ironies: I just discovered this channel, and I just had this problem - tailpiece separated from kitchen sink drain. Almost-instant flood. Third? I had purchased some flood sensors but hadn't gotten around to placing them where they're needed. 😥
Also, add a water leak detector (aka flood alarm, moisture sensor, etc). They come in self contained battery, wall receptacle powered, and remote sensor versions (which can be integrated into many house alarm systems). Most battery models are cheap and just sit on the floor or cabinet shelf. If they detect moisture (typically liquid water, not just high humidity), they will sound an alarm. Just change the battery (if applicable) every couple of years and you will know if and when a leak occurs. And you can install one of these right away while shopping for the right tray.
I found some that have a 1time use design but they were affordable to get a lot(put near water appliances, and areas you dont see etc) and its pretty cool. soaks up water because its a sponge, then it completes a circuit by pressing a battery to contacts
This is truly excellent advice. I had a slow leak from a cracked ABS line in the wall. It leaked for a a long time and wasn't covered by homeowner's insurance, since it was a slow leak. We got water damage on the wall and the under sink floor and in the dishwasher and refrigerator compartments. The only way to properly deal with this is to remove water damaged building materials from 12 to 24 inches past the water damage; clean and disinfect the area; and then reinstall the new building materials. My total bill in early 2022 for this restoration was around $10K. 😲 It was a bear (nearly impossible) finding a cabinet guy to fix the cabinets. It was hard to find any contractors, except a flooring contractor. It took us 6 months to get this fixed, and I had to use some creative thinking to get a pro to fix the cabinets. Anyway, listen to this video and do everything you can to prevent water damage in your house or you will pay thousands. Also, check your homeowner's insurance policy to be sure you can get coverage for slow leak damage.
@@TheHonestCarpenter You know how it is. It's lessons learned. The more you live. The more you learn. That's the reason why I like to talk to old people; they can give you good advice about almost any subject.
We are always called to check out the source of this problem , the leak! I notice most of the time it is actually rotten when there are way too many items crammed under there so our clients never notice until it is way too late. In my humble opinion the best preventive measures are organization and observation . Sometimes the overcrowding has stressed the plumbing joints causing the leak. Can’t wait for the mold videos coming up!
"we built this city on rot and mould..." Great tip as always, I have a shallow plastic bowl under the sink. There are cleaning supplies and garbage bags in it, so when I pull something out (regularly) I can check the water level (hopefully no water...).
Alternative fix... When I have a sink cabinet to replace, I build up the inner load-bearing cabinet walls below the shelf with polyurethane'd 2x4 "foot rails". Above them, across the back of the inside of the cabinet, I add a 2" tall strip. Then I cut down a thin birch sheet as a new cabinet floor, make it waterproof, & mount it to my 2" strip & through the front edge into the 2x4 "foot rail" below. Bit of silicone around all 4 edges, & dabs over screws. Now, if (...when) it leaks even the slightest drop, you notice immediately out the front, safely on the floor tile. There's zero risk of pooling inside. I do the same every time I install a new bathroom vanity too. This has already saved me through many tenants, cause it gets noticed within hours at most, & the last thing you want is to pull/replace counters & water logged cabinets & have a hidden mold issue, just due to a wee leak.
As a senior, many years ago I read about self sticking vinyl tiles. I placed those under the sink cabinets cut to size along with a plastic dish pan. I really like the idea of a mat with a lip coupled with a dishpan.
We had a slight leak in our old house that damaged the drywall in the basement ceiling. When I finished my basement in my new home I used a swivel p-trap and glued all the drain pipe together except for the stem piece from the sink drain. Those screw connections and plastic washers are prone to failure. Same with sink stoppers. Buy a push button stopper and eliminate the rod that always rusts out every 5-10 years or so.
I used flex seal spray around the bottom edge of the cabinet and on the base, creating a water resistant lining. I also added a vinyl shelf liner for the looks, but it adds a little bit more protection as well. And as a bit of overkill, I have a water leak sensor that will notify me of a leak. I've had to deal with water damage before and really don't want to have to do it again.
We got a new kitchen this past January, and it wasn't until summer that we noticed the plumber had not glued one of the connections under the sink! Luckily it dripped into a plastic basket (an accidental sink mat), so we avoided any damage.
I am looking into this mat, thanks. One suggestion are these water leak detectors. I have them under every sink, by every toilet, washer, dishwasher, fridge, sump pump, furnace, etc. They are tiny, cheap and scream when they detect water.
I have always kept something, either a bucket, tack box, a clear container, or something that would hold the water under all the plumbing under my sink cabinets. I have done that for years. All the plumbers who have seen it have thought that has been such a wonderful idea. On one occasion I even found water from a leak. I find it a lot easier to put stuff in the boxes to slide under the sink and pull them out.
Got one a year ago based on this video and it readily handled an intermittent leak from a faucet hose that I couldn't find for a while. Very glad it didn't cause any problems.
After having to replace the cabinets, floor, and part of the wall in my kitchen, I really suggest people pay attention to this. And the weather tech rubber mat was bought very quickly after. I also keep 2 large metal pots under the sink drains themselves, just in case. I don't lose out all that much on room under there since I store a lot of what I need to store fits into the pots. Very good info Mr James. Thanks and I wish someone had said this to me about 15 years ago.
Excellent tip. We put off cuts of our vinyl flooring in the bottom of all the sink cabinets when we had our bathrooms and kitchen remodeled, but it was mostly for appearance purposes. Never realized that would be a minimal layer of protection but adding these mats would take the protection to a new level. Very helpful information.
Great tip Ethan. Otherwise you need to regularly check under the sink for leaks. We often pull supplies from our kitchen sink, but rarely look under the bathroom sinks. This looks like a future product for WeatherTech!
Thanks, David! I think weathertech has some for sale! Theirs are a little more expensive, but extremely high quality and durable, like all their stuff. (I’ve got their floor mats in my Tacoma 🙂)
@@deprived56501 only if you actually look under there with some frequency (once weekly minimum) . I worked maintenance and have a horror story about an older resident with tp under their vanity who didnt open their cabinet for a few months. The faucet was leaking a bit with every use. It was very bad and a time consuming pain to remediate and repair.
Peel & Stick laminate tiles, with silicon caulking at seams and edges. Truly an edge to edge fit, and easy to cut around (or cut through (ideally) with a new cabinet). Also, even cheaper solution for the win!
This is exactly what I did. 5 peel & stick planks and a tube of silicone cost less than $10. It's caught dripping from a bad garbage disposal and leaky spray bottle.
This is a great idea. What's even better is making sure you have a good plumber that can do a whole house plumbing inspection (or a competent significant other if you can nag them into it). The best water damage is mitigated water damage and as stated here, it's almost always just a minor drip. Blessings 👐 💚
So very simple and yet I would not have thought of it. Over many years I'd end up placing a bucket until I had time to repair. Appreciate your tips, suggestions and ideas. 👍🏻
Yes, these are needed! Is there a version for inside a vanity? Have you made a video about something to protect floors when washers are placed on wood floors?
I think there are smaller ones for vanities, wade! And there are actually pans with drains for dishwashers-I haven’t covered them, but I think Matt risinger has!
I just dealt with this and had to rip out the entire soppy mushy cabinet base..,! What a mess! Fortunately I’m about to demo my kitchen but the cleanup to make it usable again for a minute was ick. Mold and all… 😮 thanks for this tip! New kitchen will have all the things to Protect my investment!! 🎉happy New Year to you!!
This is absolutely brilliant hint and truly needed in every household. In some cases the leak could be happening for days without noticing it as in lots of cases like in my case the washing machine could be beside the sink. When I had amy last leak under sink I thought it might be spill or washing machine
@ThehonestcarptenterTeam I ried Screwfix an internationally known trades hardware stores and they don't do them so I sent them on the name and type of product and uses details and told them it is used in America and of course as they are internationally set up I'm hoping to get a reply back from them but here in Ireland if you need anything especially if it is widely used amongst various people in trades, hobbies or the ordinary person we nearly have to look from abroad to get it.
I replaced the bottom of my kitchen cabinet and then caulked all around. I ended with a few coats of generic flex seal spray-on paint. Looks brand new!
Shared your video to my husband. And, I shared your Amazon links so he can purchase. I appreciate your links. Makes my shopping easier 😀 One other item. Most homes have more than one sink: bathrooms, laundry rooms...
Something else that helps is to put in a battery operated leak sensor that makes a huge racket if moisture touches it. The mat is a great idea and then the sensor will alert you right away.
After having problems in a previous home I got in the habit of storing a typical utility bucket under the trap. This product is definitely more convenient. I have a question. My home was built in the early 70s. The panel in front of the sink has 3 horizintal slots in it. I have seen this in other kitchens that haven’t been update. Unlike most updated kitchens I have never had any musty smell at all in the cabinet under my sink. I believe these slots are to let any evaporated moisture out. Like from sweaty cold water pipes in the summer. Is that what those slots are for?
I always use, white, shiny, peel and stick tile. Read about it in Popular Mechanics 30+ years ago, brightens things up and makes the space easily cleanable.
My wife and I bought a house and moved in at the start of this year. The day we moved in we discovered what I have come to call “a surprise water feature” where the master bathroom custom double vanity was leaking down through to a downstairs bedroom ceiling and light fixture! These would have been super handy! Thanks as always Ethan! I know what I’m buying my wife for Christmas 😂
This is a wholesome sentiment, & you know your wife best, of course ... but something about the idea of these mats being a Christmas present sure brings to mind all those '90s sitcom plots where the husband gets in trouble for making the wife's birthday gift a new vacuum or something 😂 I'm guessing you'll get her other more special things too lol, but just had to toss the cautionary consideration out there, in case you're new at this! 😜
I bought a rubber mat for the sink cabinet and then got a water alarm for extra "insurance". I never had a problem with leaks, but knowing the mat and alarm were there made me feel better.
Good advice. We have 2 pull out trays under our sink to more easily access the cleaning supplies, so the rubber mat wouldn't work too well. While I agree the felt is not as good as rubber, I think it would work better in our situation.
i use a spare linoleum sheet cut to size followed by rectangular plastic basins under the plumbing that fit well and a water alert sensor in there that notifies me on my devices whenever it detects a leak. the sensor runs on rechargeable aaa batteries and has an alarm siren that triggers when it detects a leak. it also emails me and alerts my devices with notifications. it also shows me the battery levels so i know when to replace or recharge them. you can place these water sensors in various places prone to plumbing problems or water damage. the drawback are false alarms in high humid environments like bathrooms. but placing it on top of a towel or rag or one of those water absorption mats helps eliminate that error and it only triggers when the rag or floor towel gets wet. optionally i use one of those water absorbing mats by pig under the basin in the case i am unable to get to the water leak in time and the basin overflows. the last option which i haven’t implemented but could be worth it is a remotely controlled or automated main water shutoff valve. i haven’t dug much research into this but some can sense the rate of waterflow usage and alert you if it detects that there might be a slow leak somewhere, like a garden hose left unattended or pipe leak or whatnot and you can turn it off when not at home for further inspection later. this valve is actually not the physical main valve but in line before it leads to your various areas on your property.
The biggest issue with the ones you have to cut the notch out of (for plumbing that comes up from the bottom), is they are notched right below where the biggest culprit of leaks are... the water shutoff valve and flex hose. Both my kitchen and half bath have plumbing that comes up from the floor and requires the notched tray. Both leaks (minor luckily) were from the valve and it dripped down the pipe... the tray would do nothing. Still, they are a good idea for drain, disposal leaks and general spills. As others pointed out, a tray does nothing to stop water from filling up and overflowing unless you have some type of water detector/alarm to alert you. Mine is part of my house alarm and self-tests to let me know if it works or needs a battery change.
This already happened to me... it's my first time owning an older home. I found a leak from my disposal had warped the particle board below. I do not see any visible mold .. is there a way to find out if there's mold without the visual? Thank you! I"ll be purchasing the under sink mat you recommended to avoid any future leak damage. :-)
We've had really good luck with rubber mat and water alarm combinations for our sinks and clothes washer. It only takes one time of having water remediation with high powered fans and plastic sheeting taped up in your kitchen and you get REALLY motivated not to repeat the experience 😖
Rhino Liner or other spray on bed liner. Just sand surface up to remove shine. I fold up a few Sham Wow towels and leave them right under the drain line fittings, easily wash them if ever get wet. Foolproof and about the same price or cheaper. Just stopping water, not hauling rocks.
The issue many people will have is finding a protective mat that fits flat inside their sink cabinet floor. I use a simple method for creating a water proof under sink floor no matter the size of the cabinet. I buy (5) 12 in. x 24 in. vinyl "peel and stick" tiles at Lowes. They are very low cost, but well made. I install them in the cabinet running front to back, cutting to length. They cut easily with a scoring cut and a bend to break. The first three install with just a cut to depth of the cabinet. The third tile will most likely need to be cut to width also. The last tile I cut into 2 inch wide strips 24 inches long. I fit these along the three sides of the cabinet walls at the inside base of the cabinet. Lastly, I use a little silicone sealant along all of the seams between the tiles. Once this dries, you have a very tough and water proof cabinet floor. Any leaks will be forced to drain to the front of the cabinet where it will be very noticeable. This costs about $20 plus the sealant. You get a protective cabinet floor that is easy to clean, very durable, won't slip around and is water proof.
I had sink cabinet issues since day-1 of installation. One drop of water causes wood to bubble up. That’s when I realized I f’ed up. I should’ve shell out couple thousand dollars more for plywood upgrade. But my work around was to paint 3 coats of oil base polyurethane understand the sink. Had 5 occasions l where faucet drips back down with water flooding the kitchen floor, cabinet held up ok. After the 5th time, replaced the faucet and gave the interior another coat of polyurethane. New faucet is different style, it will leak to the sink instead of back down the handle.
I replaced junk particle board cabinets. After learning about water damage. I have since used a tin banking sheet and made a drain tube to the basement. I hate the possibility of water mess
One thing I did after a plumber cut the crap out of my cabinet bottom to get at pipes that were under, and then yeah mold and water did some damage to the rest of it, I just removed the entire bottom and replaced it with cut pieces of cedar fence board (or maybe redwood, I forget) either way while it's by no means "mold proof" it it's much better at not getting damaged if there's a drip or something I don't notice for weeks (ahem, a year) at a time, best thing is if a board does get moldy a couple screws later and I can easily replace it with another standard width board.
My Grandmother could've used that. I ended up having to replace the whole floor under her sink. Thankfully with a good hole punching saw to run the pipes through repairs didn't take too long. 👷🏿♂️
Newpig is also a great company that offers water/oil/toxic absorbent. It worked on well for me when a minor toilet flapper leak caused a major problem, as it occurred overnight....12 hour leak.
This sounds like a good reason to tile a bathroom/kitchen fully under the cabinets. That should limit most leaks to damaging the cabinet itself, nothing more.
@@TheHonestCarpenter I believe they make special water resistant wallboard / drywall/sheetrock . To put in the walls adjacent to showers and bathtubs . If by chance there is a leak to minimize damage ? How about cabinets or the bottom being of this type also , treated wood of course ? Maybe special waterproof / water resistant coating on the wood cabinets ? Maybe a water / moisture sensor of some type that would sound an alarm . As I expect people don't open the cabinets to notice this , until there is real damage .
Nice and elegant solution, a bit too expensive for my tastes though. xD I just cover it all with some white rags or even cardboard there to immediately see if something is off, and shut off the mains whenever I'm on an extended period outside my home... and a bucket if things are a bit flaky. Or strategically organize things so that the underside of cabinets are always the place I'll store buckets, pots and pans. Good strategy for peace of mind though... just don't let the water stay there and get stale for too long or you'll end up with other problems instead.
i had to replace the base in my kitchen sink. There was not an actual leak rather the plumbing coming from the basement Sweated water off the pipe which over the years just rotted the wood my solution to that was to buy some foam tubing that wrapped the pipes and kept them from sweating. 3 years out and the the under cabinet looks as good as the day i fixed it. So be wary of that issue as well.
Our dishwasher is above my home office. I'm paranoid that if the dishwasher was to leak, my office and computers would get damaged. The Watchdog water sensor has the ability to put the sensor about 6 feet from the alarm via a speaker wire, so I put the sensor under the dishwasher and attached the alarm under the sink. I've thought about splicing a second wire on it to protect the sink as well. Maybe soldering the wires to pennies.
Might also recommend one of those moisture alarms to sit in the mat. Seems like that would be the winner combo. Something to contain the water and something to alert you of its presence.
I was just going to add that remark. Another step further maybe that the moisture sensor alert you on your phone in case you need to send someone to help mitigate this because you cannot get there in time.
I have one. Belt and suspenders!
I was also going to suggest a water alarm too. You just place the sensor on the mat and when water touches it the alarm will sound. So you know when something happens amd you can fix the problem. They are relatively cheap online. I got mine a while ago.
I did that and it worked great. Made me feel a whole lot better.
Triple ironies: I just discovered this channel, and I just had this problem - tailpiece separated from kitchen sink drain. Almost-instant flood. Third? I had purchased some flood sensors but hadn't gotten around to placing them where they're needed. 😥
Also, add a water leak detector (aka flood alarm, moisture sensor, etc). They come in self contained battery, wall receptacle powered, and remote sensor versions (which can be integrated into many house alarm systems).
Most battery models are cheap and just sit on the floor or cabinet shelf. If they detect moisture (typically liquid water, not just high humidity), they will sound an alarm.
Just change the battery (if applicable) every couple of years and you will know if and when a leak occurs.
And you can install one of these right away while shopping for the right tray.
I found some that have a 1time use design but they were affordable to get a lot(put near water appliances, and areas you dont see etc) and its pretty cool. soaks up water because its a sponge, then it completes a circuit by pressing a battery to contacts
This is truly excellent advice. I had a slow leak from a cracked ABS line in the wall. It leaked for a a long time and wasn't covered by homeowner's insurance, since it was a slow leak. We got water damage on the wall and the under sink floor and in the dishwasher and refrigerator compartments. The only way to properly deal with this is to remove water damaged building materials from 12 to 24 inches past the water damage; clean and disinfect the area; and then reinstall the new building materials. My total bill in early 2022 for this restoration was around $10K. 😲 It was a bear (nearly impossible) finding a cabinet guy to fix the cabinets. It was hard to find any contractors, except a flooring contractor. It took us 6 months to get this fixed, and I had to use some creative thinking to get a pro to fix the cabinets. Anyway, listen to this video and do everything you can to prevent water damage in your house or you will pay thousands. Also, check your homeowner's insurance policy to be sure you can get coverage for slow leak damage.
Ugh, I’m sorry to hear about that! What a nightmare! 😖
@@TheHonestCarpenter You know how it is. It's lessons learned. The more you live. The more you learn. That's the reason why I like to talk to old people; they can give you good advice about almost any subject.
We are always called to check out the source of this problem , the leak! I notice most of the time it is actually rotten when there are way too many items crammed under there so our clients never notice until it is way too late. In my humble opinion the best preventive measures are organization and observation . Sometimes the overcrowding has stressed the plumbing joints causing the leak. Can’t wait for the mold videos coming up!
"we built this city on rot and mould..."
Great tip as always, I have a shallow plastic bowl under the sink. There are cleaning supplies and garbage bags in it, so when I pull something out (regularly) I can check the water level (hopefully no water...).
Bar mats are amazing. I have them stashed around everywhere. Great in drawers, under sinks, on counters etc.
Alternative fix...
When I have a sink cabinet to replace, I build up the inner load-bearing cabinet walls below the shelf with polyurethane'd 2x4 "foot rails". Above them, across the back of the inside of the cabinet, I add a 2" tall strip. Then I cut down a thin birch sheet as a new cabinet floor, make it waterproof, & mount it to my 2" strip & through the front edge into the 2x4 "foot rail" below. Bit of silicone around all 4 edges, & dabs over screws.
Now, if (...when) it leaks even the slightest drop, you notice immediately out the front, safely on the floor tile. There's zero risk of pooling inside. I do the same every time I install a new bathroom vanity too. This has already saved me through many tenants, cause it gets noticed within hours at most, & the last thing you want is to pull/replace counters & water logged cabinets & have a hidden mold issue, just due to a wee leak.
Brilliant tip!
As a senior, many years ago I read about self sticking vinyl tiles. I placed those under the sink cabinets cut to size along with a plastic dish pan. I really like the idea of a mat with a lip coupled with a dishpan.
We had a slight leak in our old house that damaged the drywall in the basement ceiling. When I finished my basement in my new home I used a swivel p-trap and glued all the drain pipe together except for the stem piece from the sink drain. Those screw connections and plastic washers are prone to failure. Same with sink stoppers. Buy a push button stopper and eliminate the rod that always rusts out every 5-10 years or so.
I used flex seal spray around the bottom edge of the cabinet and on the base, creating a water resistant lining. I also added a vinyl shelf liner for the looks, but it adds a little bit more protection as well. And as a bit of overkill, I have a water leak sensor that will notify me of a leak. I've had to deal with water damage before and really don't want to have to do it again.
We got a new kitchen this past January, and it wasn't until summer that we noticed the plumber had not glued one of the connections under the sink!
Luckily it dripped into a plastic basket (an accidental sink mat), so we avoided any damage.
That’s pretty lucky! 😆
I am looking into this mat, thanks. One suggestion are these water leak detectors. I have them under every sink, by every toilet, washer, dishwasher, fridge, sump pump, furnace, etc. They are tiny, cheap and scream when they detect water.
I’m going to do a whole video on them around the house! 🙂
I have always kept something, either a bucket, tack box, a clear container, or something that would hold the water under all the plumbing under my sink cabinets. I have done that for years. All the plumbers who have seen it have thought that has been such a wonderful idea. On one occasion I even found water from a leak. I find it a lot easier to put stuff in the boxes to slide under the sink and pull them out.
Yeah, it seems like a 5 gallon bucket would do the same job for free. 🤷
The dishwasher can be more insidious. A slow leak there can lead to much more expensive damage because it's harder to spot.
Got one a year ago based on this video and it readily handled an intermittent leak from a faucet hose that I couldn't find for a while. Very glad it didn't cause any problems.
After having to replace the cabinets, floor, and part of the wall in my kitchen, I really suggest people pay attention to this. And the weather tech rubber mat was bought very quickly after. I also keep 2 large metal pots under the sink drains themselves, just in case. I don't lose out all that much on room under there since I store a lot of what I need to store fits into the pots. Very good info Mr James. Thanks and I wish someone had said this to me about 15 years ago.
Excellent tip. We put off cuts of our vinyl flooring in the bottom of all the sink cabinets when we had our bathrooms and kitchen remodeled, but it was mostly for appearance purposes. Never realized that would be a minimal layer of protection but adding these mats would take the protection to a new level. Very helpful information.
Great tip Ethan. Otherwise you need to regularly check under the sink for leaks. We often pull supplies from our kitchen sink, but rarely look under the bathroom sinks. This looks like a future product for WeatherTech!
Thanks, David! I think weathertech has some for sale! Theirs are a little more expensive, but extremely high quality and durable, like all their stuff. (I’ve got their floor mats in my Tacoma 🙂)
I store the tp under the bathroom sink. It will catch any drips and you'll notice very quick if you have a wet roll.
@@deprived56501 Great tip, thanks
@@deprived56501 only if you actually look under there with some frequency (once weekly minimum) . I worked maintenance and have a horror story about an older resident with tp under their vanity who didnt open their cabinet for a few months. The faucet was leaking a bit with every use. It was very bad and a time consuming pain to remediate and repair.
Peel & Stick laminate tiles, with silicon caulking at seams and edges. Truly an edge to edge fit, and easy to cut around (or cut through (ideally) with a new cabinet). Also, even cheaper solution for the win!
I had some truck bed liner "paint" left over. Luckily, I haven't had a chance to test it.
This is exactly what I did. 5 peel & stick planks and a tube of silicone cost less than $10. It's caught dripping from a bad garbage disposal and leaky spray bottle.
This is a great idea. What's even better is making sure you have a good plumber that can do a whole house plumbing inspection (or a competent significant other if you can nag them into it). The best water damage is mitigated water damage and as stated here, it's almost always just a minor drip.
Blessings 👐 💚
That’s a very good point-especially right when you acquire a property! 👍
Competent significant other? Why not just be competent yourself at that point?
Great video! I didn't even know they sold stuff like this. This would have come in handy a few times over the years. Going to buy some now! Thanks! :)
So very simple and yet I would not have thought of it. Over many years I'd end up placing a bucket until I had time to repair. Appreciate your tips, suggestions and ideas. 👍🏻
Seen the bucket so many times in houses, Chuck! This one just fits better 😆👍
I did not know about these mats until I watched this so I will get one. Thanks for sharing this information as it is very helpful.
You’re welcome, John!
Yes, these are needed! Is there a version for inside a vanity? Have you made a video about something to protect floors when washers are placed on wood floors?
I think there are smaller ones for vanities, wade! And there are actually pans with drains for dishwashers-I haven’t covered them, but I think Matt risinger has!
I just dealt with this and had to rip out the entire soppy mushy cabinet base..,! What a mess! Fortunately I’m about to demo my kitchen but the cleanup to make it usable again for a minute was ick. Mold and all… 😮 thanks for this tip! New kitchen will have all the things to
Protect my investment!! 🎉happy New Year to you!!
This is absolutely brilliant hint and truly needed in every household. In some cases the leak could be happening for days without noticing it as in lots of cases like in my case the washing machine could be beside the sink. When I had amy last leak under sink I thought it might be spill or washing machine
@ThehonestcarptenterTeam I ried Screwfix an internationally known trades hardware stores and they don't do them so I sent them on the name and type of product and uses details and told them it is used in America and of course as they are internationally set up I'm hoping to get a reply back from them but here in Ireland if you need anything especially if it is widely used amongst various people in trades, hobbies or the ordinary person we nearly have to look from abroad to get it.
Helpful advice from a helpful (and Honest) carpenter. One would think this would be standard with any kitchen installation, it should be.
I replaced the bottom of my kitchen cabinet and then caulked all around. I ended with a few coats of generic flex seal spray-on paint. Looks brand new!
Shared your video to my husband. And, I shared your Amazon links so he can purchase. I appreciate your links. Makes my shopping easier 😀
One other item. Most homes have more than one sink: bathrooms, laundry rooms...
That’s awesome, Susan! You’re absolutely right-most everyone focuses on kitchen the most, but every sink cabinet has rot potential! 😄
Great tip. I use these at all my rental properties. You're right, they save you tons of money in repairs.
Another great video with a great idea!. Much thanks.
Just added three to my cart through your link thank you. I own and manage 7 rentals and am going to start putting these in all of them
Gonna measure them all out tomorrow
Something else that helps is to put in a battery operated leak sensor that makes a huge racket if moisture touches it. The mat is a great idea and then the sensor will alert you right away.
After having problems in a previous home I got in the habit of storing a typical utility bucket under the trap. This product is definitely more convenient.
I have a question. My home was built in the early 70s. The panel in front of the sink has 3 horizintal slots in it. I have seen this in other kitchens that haven’t been update. Unlike most updated kitchens I have never had any musty smell at all in the cabinet under my sink. I believe these slots are to let any evaporated moisture out. Like from sweaty cold water pipes in the summer. Is that what those slots are for?
This is a good idea. I also use Silicon around the edges of the bottom of the cabinet where liquid tends to soak in first
I never knew these existed. Thanks for the video Ethan!
I always use, white, shiny, peel and stick tile. Read about it in Popular Mechanics 30+ years ago, brightens things up and makes the space easily cleanable.
Thank you. Great advice. I prefer prevention over repair!
I followed your links to the matts and discovered they also make small matts that fit around the kitchen faucet to protect your countertop!🤯
My wife and I bought a house and moved in at the start of this year. The day we moved in we discovered what I have come to call “a surprise water feature” where the master bathroom custom double vanity was leaking down through to a downstairs bedroom ceiling and light fixture! These would have been super handy! Thanks as always Ethan! I know what I’m buying my wife for Christmas 😂
This is a wholesome sentiment, & you know your wife best, of course ... but something about the idea of these mats being a Christmas present sure brings to mind all those '90s sitcom plots where the husband gets in trouble for making the wife's birthday gift a new vacuum or something 😂 I'm guessing you'll get her other more special things too lol, but just had to toss the cautionary consideration out there, in case you're new at this! 😜
@@ItsAsparageese Thank you- this gave me a good chuckle 😂 There is a much nicer and less Homer Simpson-y gift as well! Cheers!
@@alexpatterson5471 Hahaha right on, well done! Cheers lol Merry Christmas!
We just put a $7 plastic basin underneath the sink. also works.
*_There are very useful explanations and tips in this video and it is useful for me. Thank you for your efforts in this video._*
It is also helpful to get a few inexpensive water alarms for under sinks and water heaters and air-conditioners. I give them to my neighbors upstairs.
I concur. Excellent suggestion. I going to look in to it. Thanks for the Amazon tip.
I bought a rubber mat for the sink cabinet and then got a water alarm for extra "insurance". I never had a problem with leaks, but knowing the mat and alarm were there made me feel better.
Good advice. We have 2 pull out trays under our sink to more easily access the cleaning supplies, so the rubber mat wouldn't work too well. While I agree the felt is not as good as rubber, I think it would work better in our situation.
i use a spare linoleum sheet cut to size followed by rectangular plastic basins under the plumbing that fit well and a water alert sensor in there that notifies me on my devices whenever it detects a leak. the sensor runs on rechargeable aaa batteries and has an alarm siren that triggers when it detects a leak. it also emails me and alerts my devices with notifications. it also shows me the battery levels so i know when to replace or recharge them. you can place these water sensors in various places prone to plumbing problems or water damage. the drawback are false alarms in high humid environments like bathrooms. but placing it on top of a towel or rag or one of those water absorption mats helps eliminate that error and it only triggers when the rag or floor towel gets wet.
optionally i use one of those water absorbing mats by pig under the basin in the case i am unable to get to the water leak in time and the basin overflows.
the last option which i haven’t implemented but could be worth it is a remotely controlled or automated main water shutoff valve. i haven’t dug much research into this but some can sense the rate of waterflow usage and alert you if it detects that there might be a slow leak somewhere, like a garden hose left unattended or pipe leak or whatnot and you can turn it off when not at home for further inspection later. this valve is actually not the physical main valve but in line before it leads to your various areas on your property.
Great Looking Out!!!! Thanks Ethan!!!!👍😎
Great tip! Thanks so much. Be well.
The biggest issue with the ones you have to cut the notch out of (for plumbing that comes up from the bottom), is they are notched right below where the biggest culprit of leaks are... the water shutoff valve and flex hose. Both my kitchen and half bath have plumbing that comes up from the floor and requires the notched tray. Both leaks (minor luckily) were from the valve and it dripped down the pipe... the tray would do nothing. Still, they are a good idea for drain, disposal leaks and general spills.
As others pointed out, a tray does nothing to stop water from filling up and overflowing unless you have some type of water detector/alarm to alert you. Mine is part of my house alarm and self-tests to let me know if it works or needs a battery change.
This already happened to me... it's my first time owning an older home. I found a leak from my disposal had warped the particle board below. I do not see any visible mold .. is there a way to find out if there's mold without the visual? Thank you! I"ll be purchasing the under sink mat you recommended to avoid any future leak damage. :-)
Thanks for sharing that!
You’re welcome, Hassan!
Great advice with these mats. Thanks!
Thank you! I am going to clean under the sink, measure and buy a one of the ones you listed.
Thanks Tonya! They’re great to have. I hope you find a good one! 😄
Thank you! I needed this reminder.
I just saw a commercial for Weather Tech. Along with car mats, they make trays for under the sink.✌🏽
We've had really good luck with rubber mat and water alarm combinations for our sinks and clothes washer. It only takes one time of having water remediation with high powered fans and plastic sheeting taped up in your kitchen and you get REALLY motivated not to repeat the experience 😖
Rhino Liner or other spray on bed liner. Just sand surface up to remove shine. I fold up a few Sham Wow towels and leave them right under the drain line fittings, easily wash them if ever get wet. Foolproof and about the same price or cheaper. Just stopping water, not hauling rocks.
I have an awesome one from Amazon. It was $20. Great video.
So simple and effective, Angela!
What a no-brainer now that I know about about it. Another great idea from Ethan!!
👍😁
That's a great idea! I didn't even know these existed.
The issue many people will have is finding a protective mat that fits flat inside their sink cabinet floor. I use a simple method for creating a water proof under sink floor no matter the size of the cabinet. I buy (5) 12 in. x 24 in. vinyl "peel and stick" tiles at Lowes. They are very low cost, but well made. I install them in the cabinet running front to back, cutting to length. They cut easily with a scoring cut and a bend to break. The first three install with just a cut to depth of the cabinet. The third tile will most likely need to be cut to width also. The last tile I cut into 2 inch wide strips 24 inches long. I fit these along the three sides of the cabinet walls at the inside base of the cabinet. Lastly, I use a little silicone sealant along all of the seams between the tiles. Once this dries, you have a very tough and water proof cabinet floor. Any leaks will be forced to drain to the front of the cabinet where it will be very noticeable. This costs about $20 plus the sealant. You get a protective cabinet floor that is easy to clean, very durable, won't slip around and is water proof.
I had sink cabinet issues since day-1 of installation. One drop of water causes wood to bubble up. That’s when I realized I f’ed up. I should’ve shell out couple thousand dollars more for plywood upgrade. But my work around was to paint 3 coats of oil base polyurethane understand the sink. Had 5 occasions l where faucet drips back down with water flooding the kitchen floor, cabinet held up ok. After the 5th time, replaced the faucet and gave the interior another coat of polyurethane. New faucet is different style, it will leak to the sink instead of back down the handle.
Great stuff HC. I never knew such a product existed.
I just ordered the Weathertech. Thanks for the idea Ethan.
Thanks, Kevin! I hope it serves you well! 😄👍
This is brilliant. Thank you.
I replaced junk particle board cabinets. After learning about water damage. I have since used a tin banking sheet and made a drain tube to the basement. I hate the possibility of water mess
That’s a cool solution!
Thanks HC. I did not know that this product existed.
What a great idea and great tip! Thanks!
Thank you. I'm going to get one of those.
Thanks for watching, George!
One thing I did after a plumber cut the crap out of my cabinet bottom to get at pipes that were under, and then yeah mold and water did some damage to the rest of it, I just removed the entire bottom and replaced it with cut pieces of cedar fence board (or maybe redwood, I forget) either way while it's by no means "mold proof" it it's much better at not getting damaged if there's a drip or something I don't notice for weeks (ahem, a year) at a time, best thing is if a board does get moldy a couple screws later and I can easily replace it with another standard width board.
Great idea! Thank you!
Another great idea William!!
I didn’t know they existed so they are a great investment thanks and if you don’t post until the new year Stay safe and have a merry Christmas
i put a scrap piece of sheet vinyl down with a heavy bead of caulk around back and sides so any water drains out the front and is apparent
these are on my rental mobile homes…
Hahaha, my under sink area does NOT look like your under sink area.
Thank you for the great ideas as always! 👍🏼👍🏼
A very useful tip, thank you.
Thanks Ethan, your tips are always great. Stay safe
Thanks, Val!
Looking forward to an honest piece on mold 👍
My Grandmother could've used that. I ended up having to replace the whole floor under her sink. Thankfully with a good hole punching saw to run the pipes through repairs didn't take too long. 👷🏿♂️
I’ve seen it so many times over the years, W! One of those inevitable problems in a long enough time frame.
Newpig is also a great company that offers water/oil/toxic absorbent. It worked on well for me when a minor toilet flapper leak caused a major problem, as it occurred overnight....12 hour leak.
Great info, thank you 😉👍
Just what i needed to know!
This sounds like a good reason to tile a bathroom/kitchen fully under the cabinets. That should limit most leaks to damaging the cabinet itself, nothing more.
Great advice
Thank you
Great tip
Very smart invention .
Agreed, Peter!
@@TheHonestCarpenter I believe they make special water resistant wallboard / drywall/sheetrock . To put in the walls adjacent to showers and bathtubs . If by chance there is a leak to minimize damage ? How about cabinets or the bottom being of this type also , treated wood of course ? Maybe special waterproof / water resistant coating on the wood cabinets ? Maybe a water / moisture sensor of some type that would sound an alarm . As I expect people don't open the cabinets to notice this , until there is real damage .
Thank you that was very helpful 👍
Great suggestion
Thanks, Anne! 🙂
I had now idea this existed, then you you are me savior
Nice and elegant solution, a bit too expensive for my tastes though. xD
I just cover it all with some white rags or even cardboard there to immediately see if something is off, and shut off the mains whenever I'm on an extended period outside my home... and a bucket if things are a bit flaky. Or strategically organize things so that the underside of cabinets are always the place I'll store buckets, pots and pans.
Good strategy for peace of mind though... just don't let the water stay there and get stale for too long or you'll end up with other problems instead.
I just ordered the Rhino mat for a rental. Tenants not only ignore leaks but don't clean under the sink either.
I also have a small water alarm that I placed in my tray. If the water gets deep enough it will set off the alarm.
I bought a mat to put under my Lab’s water dish and repurposed it for my kitchen sink.
Grrrr... yet another fantastic product that addresses a common problem that I didn’t invent!
This one could have been a cash cow, monkey! 😆🤑
@@TheHonestCarpenter No kidding! I have a client who sits on a mountain of money because her grandfather was the prime manufacturer of carpet padding!
How about a spray on waterproof liner, maybe like the “Rhino” type spray on bed liner used on pick trucks?
Great idea!
i had to replace the base in my kitchen sink. There was not an actual leak rather the plumbing coming from the basement Sweated water off the pipe which over the years just rotted the wood my solution to that was to buy some foam tubing that wrapped the pipes and kept them from sweating. 3 years out and the the under cabinet looks as good as the day i fixed it. So be wary of that issue as well.
Our dishwasher is above my home office. I'm paranoid that if the dishwasher was to leak, my office and computers would get damaged. The Watchdog water sensor has the ability to put the sensor about 6 feet from the alarm via a speaker wire, so I put the sensor under the dishwasher and attached the alarm under the sink. I've thought about splicing a second wire on it to protect the sink as well. Maybe soldering the wires to pennies.
I couldn't find any mat to fit my shallow depth sink. Making a custom one out of silicone like Mold Star 30 might be the answer.