What happens to cabinetry during a water damage kitchen remodel?

Published on Mar 01, 2026

Hey folks! This is Kolten from Next Gen Remodels.

Welcome to another Q&A session where I answer questions from y'all on the internet.

Today's question is:

"What happens to cabinetry during a water damage kitchen remodel?"

Answer:

During the mitigation process, all the cabinets were removed because they were damaged by water. When water hits cabinetry, especially particleboard or MDF components, it swells and becomes unsalvageable. However, in some cases, if the countertops are still in good condition, contractors attempt to preserve them while removing the cabinets underneath.

In this case, though, we noticed cracking and structural damage to the countertops themselves. The tape you see marks areas where there was cracking from initial fabrication. That crack allowed movement, which caused further damage. Because of that, we had to investigate what type of countertops they were, who fabricated them, and who installed them. That documentation helps us align everything properly with insurance to ensure the rebuild matches pre-damage quality.

Additionally, while reviewing the fabrication, I noticed some things that could have been done better originally. For example, the bullnosed corners and exposed edges weren’t mitered and epoxied properly, so you can see the seam line. When we rebuild, we’ll fabricate it cleaner, hide those lines, and do proper miters so the finish is significantly higher quality.

Summary:

Kolten explains that the cabinets were removed due to water damage during mitigation, while the countertops were initially preserved. However, upon inspection, cracking and fabrication flaws were discovered in the countertops, requiring further evaluation and likely replacement. He highlights the importance of documenting material type and installation history for insurance alignment. He also points out fabrication differences between standard butted edges and properly mitered, epoxied finishes, emphasizing that Nex-Gen Remodels aims to improve quality during the rebuild rather than simply replicate prior imperfections. The discussion reinforces their commitment to structural integrity and higher craftsmanship standards during restoration projects.