Water damage in a kitchen almost always starts under the sink and is found late, because the cupboard hides it. By the time the door swells, the base panel and often the floor beneath have been wet for months.
Find and fix the leak first. Replacing units while the source is still leaking simply repeats the damage. Full renovation scope is under Kitchen Renovations Cape Town.
Send photos of the damage and say whether the leak has been found.
Get a Water Damage Repair QuoteOrder of Work
- Trace and stop the leak - usually a waste connection, a supply fitting or a failed silicone seal.
- Strip out the wet units and lift any affected flooring.
- Dry the cavity properly. Chipboard that is merely surface-dry will keep swelling.
- Treat the wall if damp has spread into it.
- Replace units, flooring and finishes.
Water Damage Repair Prices in Cape Town
| Item | Indicative range | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment and moisture reading | R650 – R2,000 | Often credited against the work. |
| Leak trace and repair | R1,200 – R6,500 | Access is the variable. |
| Replace a swollen base unit | R2,500 – R7,500 each | Matching an existing run costs more. |
| Replace swollen doors or fronts | R450 – R2,600 each | Finish dependent. |
| Full carcass replacement, medium kitchen | R60,000 – R120,000 | Where damage is widespread. |
| Drying and dehumidification | R1,500 – R6,000 | Days, not hours. |
| Damp-proofing the wall | R4,500 – R18,000 | Where damp has spread. |
| Flooring replacement | R450 – R1,200 per m² | Supplied and laid. |
These are indicative market ranges, not a quotation. They are compiled from published South African kitchen pricing to give you a starting point for budgeting. They are not the rate card of any company on this platform.
Insist on a moisture reading before new units go in, not just a visual check. Chipboard that feels dry on the surface can still be saturated through the core, and units fitted onto it will fail again within a year.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can water damaged cupboards be repaired?
Sometimes. A single swollen panel can be replaced for R350 to R1,200, but chipboard that has delaminated cannot be restored and the unit needs replacing.
Will my insurance cover water damage to a kitchen?
Often, where the cause is sudden - a burst pipe or a failed appliance connection. Gradual seepage over months is commonly excluded.
Photograph everything before anything is removed, and get a written cause-of-damage assessment.
How long does the drying stage take?
Several days with proper dehumidification, longer if the floor screed is wet. Rushing it is why repaired kitchens fail again.
How do I stop it happening again?
Silicone the sink cut-out properly, fit a leak tray under the sink unit, and check the waste connection annually. Most repeat damage comes from the same joint.
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