Particle Board, Plumbing and Grossness

[livius drusus]

Here's a hypothetical for you: Say the garbage disposal sink in the kitchen has been leaking a grainy solution of water and ground up bits of nastiness for a while, to the point where the crappy particle board floor of the under-sink cabinet is a tad chewed up and emits a less than pleasant odor.

Say also that this cabinet floor is in a rental apartment with less than dedicated management. Finally, say that replacing the cabinet is way more trouble than you are willing to commit to given that you don't own the place and the people who do are unlikely to do a thing about it until you move out.

What could you do to increase the sanitation profile of the sinkal region? Treat the ailing particle board with a coat of anti-microbial paint or sealant of some kind? Cover it with a rubber mat and a new non-particle board floor? What would be the best solution for you to be able to use the cabinet again without fear that your ziploc bags will be coated in funk?

[TomJoe]

Since it's just particle board, I'd rip it out and replace it. Leaving it, even if you cover it up, won't help ... it could go moldy and screw with allergies and/or continue to stink and it will definitely attract cockroaches. I'd also try to find out where that disposal is leaking, and if it's just a seal ... replace that too.

If that's all it is, the total fix should be somewhere around 20 bucks plus time.

[livius drusus]

Oh, the leak is fixed as of yesterday. The problem with ripping out the particle board is that it seems sort of attached to the cabinet. I'm not sure it's possible to tear out the floor without taking off the face too.

[TomJoe]

You could cut it out with a jigsaw, especially if there is some good wood near the edges. Then you can just lay the new particle board on top of that new "ledge" and nail it in. I am assuming that the undersink cabinet floor isn't the actual floor of the kitchen. It's probably attached by staples or small wood nails.

If you insist on keeping it, I'd probably throw down a light covering of boric acid (which will kill off any bugs, especially roaches, attracted to the lingering dampness/smells) let it dry completely and then cover it in contact paper. I'd keep using the boric acid too. I don't think it'll entirely get rid of the smell though, and that'll attract vermin.

[livius drusus]

Yes! Cutting it out would most definitely work. :hyper: Are jigsaws rentable?

[Sock Puppet]

Oh, certainly. You can rent any sort of power tools you need. Check the yellow pages.

[livius drusus]

Yellow pages?! :susp: I checked teh internets like a normal person. Sheesh.

What's the difference between a reciprocating saw and a jigsaw?

[D. Scarlatti]

Sounds like a job for the Milwaukee Sawzall (http://www.midkansastool.com/Mo_Special/milwaukee_sawzall.jpg) (that's a reciprocating saw).

[Sock Puppet]

Okay, Yahoo! Yellow Pages. Sheesh indeed.

I'm not an expert on the difference, but a reciprocating saw is generally bigger and more power than you would need to cut particle board. You just need a small, portable jigsaw.

ETA: Sawsalls are teh shit, as long as you can get them into the opening you need to cut in.

[livius drusus]

Reciprocating saws seem to be more widely available for rental. I don't see why they gotta be all bigoted about it, as if only losers need to rent a hand tool as small as a jigsaw. :snooty:

[wei yau]

Had the same problem, we ended up hiring a handyman to remove the damaged board and replace it with a new one. The only issue was that the board needed to go around the water pipes, so a slot had to be cut into the board. Anything else would have required removing the pipes, cutting a hole in the board for the pipes and then reattaching the pipes.

After the new board was in place, we applied a future sealant and vowed to be more vigilant when it comes to leaks.

[livius drusus]

Hey! What about a jabsaw (http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=storehome%2fpg_storehome.jsp)? I'm not opposed to doing a little muscle work, and I sure like the flexibility of the tool (not to mention the price tag).

[livius drusus]

Had the same problem, we ended up hiring a handyman to remove the damaged board and replace it with a new one.
That's definitely the wise choice, but it's been 2 years since management's so-called handyman tore three 3-foot holes in the closet drywall and they have yet to fix that. There's mold (and probably worse) in that plywood and I want it out now, so that means I gotsa get it done myself.

The only issue was that the board needed to go around the water pipes, so a slot had to be cut into the board. Anything else would have required removing the pipes, cutting a hole in the board for the pipes and then reattaching the pipes.
I don't see any pipes coming up from the floor, but I'll check to be sure I don't saw into anything untoward.

After the new board was in place, we applied a future sealant and vowed to be more vigilant when it comes to leaks.
See the it's been years segment above. Stupid management. :sadno:

[wei yau]

BTW: I totally refrained from spreading rumors in chat that you were having a plumber "clean your pipes".

Sadly, I can't say the same for that evil Leesifer. She's just plain mean. :sadno:

[livius drusus]

She really, really is. And intentionally hurtful, too. :sadno:

[Stephen Maturin]

Hey! What about a jabsaw (http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=PROD_META&CNTKEY=storehome%2fpg_storehome.jsp)?

Do it. Using jigsaws in cramped spaces can be an insufferable pain in the ass, and I can pretty much guarantee that you'll have no fewer than 1.2 fucktillion occasions when that jabsaw will come in handy.

[livius drusus]

Sold! Wotcha, Counselor Maturin.

[D. Scarlatti]

Those are known as "keyhole saws" in the trade(s).

[livius drusus]

What trade is that, exactly? :narrow:

[D. Scarlatti]

Construction trades. Just in case the guy at the hardware store looks at you funny when you ask for a "jabsaw."

[livius drusus]

I didn't know you ever plied that trade. Cool. I shall keep the relevant argot in mind.

[D. Scarlatti]

I worked in construction for 15 years. Let me know if you'll be doing any submerged arc welding.

[livius drusus]

Rest assured I will shout it from the rooftops. :lol:

[D. Scarlatti]

I don't actually know how to do any of the work, just how to steal make money at it.

[LadyShea]

Dude, your landlord is breaking some kinda law aren't they? Can't you get the work done with threats of legal action?

Anyhoo, yes cutting out the offensive wood is the best bet, but if you just can't be fucked to do so soak it with bleach, when it dries paint it (I think they make primer/sealer stuff) then put a rubber mat over it.

[JackDog]

After the new board was in place, we applied a future sealant and vowed to be more vigilant when it comes to leaks.

So if I apply a future sealant to my body will that stop me from aging? :giggle:

[wei yau]

Oh man, I don't know even know what word I was trying to type.

[Leesifer]

BTW: I totally refrained from spreading rumors in chat that you were having a plumber "clean your pipes".

Sadly, I can't say the same for that evil Leesifer. She's just plain mean. :sadno:

She really, really is. And intentionally hurtful, too. :sadno:

Hey!

:cryhome:

Although I don't see how doing a jigsaw is going to help with your plumbing problem.

[wei yau]

Although I don't see how doing a jigsaw is going to help with your plumbing problem.

I really think that kind of surgery should be performed by a surgeon. Or at least someone with sufficient medical training to know that a jigsaw might not be the best instrument for such a delicate operation on one's nether regions.

[Leesifer]

Well, wei, we did try and tell her. I think she's gone a bit gung ho with the power tools.

[LadyShea]

Oh man, I don't know even know what word I was trying to type.

furniture?