Kitchen Fitting

Damp/ mold behind kitchen cupboards - remove only parts, clean, redo plaster and cover?

Anonymous user 15/03/2024 - 2.49 PM

Hello, I would like your advice on what can be done with the following and what kind of technician/ builder I should try to find please: We just bought a flat, built in 1968, ground floor. The lower kitchen cupboards, against an external wall, smell damp. Some cupboards have a back covering part of the back. Both the back and the visible parts of the wall have some signs of mould (possibly). The built-in dishwasher is also against the same wall. The problem does not seem huge, but it clearly smells. This makes me think that it is possibly a combination of the sink leaking a little behind the kitchen top, condensation on the external wall, etc... The fact that it is not too bad makes me wonder whether with a fairly light-touch work the problem could be resolved, at least for a few years: Possibly remove parts of the lower cupboards (possibly without removing the worktop?), removing the backs of the cupboards and replacing them with new ones, removing the plaster on the affected wall and replastering, possibly insulating this wall (?) (and how?), and then ventilate and put all the components back in place. Also, redo the silicone between the worktop (near the sink) and the wall. The dishwasher will also need to be removed (to do the wall behind) and then put back in place. My questions are: (1) Do you think something like that is a good idea? (2) If yes, any advice on the details? (3) How much would that whole thing cost roughly? (the length of this wall is approx. 2 - 2.5 metres). This wall has got: one set of drawers, the dishwasher, a cupboard (under the sink) and another corner cupboard. (4) What type of technician would do this lot? Plasterer? Kitchen fitter? Builder? Could one person come to get it done? Thank you very much for any advice or guidance; much appreciated! D J Moores, thank you very much for your advice! Very helpful. I will look into this. I will have to request the Council's permission (former council building) to make alterations on the external wall or add insulation. With regards to getting rid of the smell, would you recommend sanding the back wall instead of re-rendering it..? Or just try to spray it with bleach etc.. without having everything removed...? Many thanks!