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I need to reseal the kitchen sink as all the sealant has come away and laminate is lifting as too much water getting through also noticed ants escaping under the sink , should I remove the whole sink out first or can I just do a quick seal then repair it when I’ve got more time as I have numerous issues with mould in subfloor not sure about this particular area I could go under and check but it’s mainly on the other side of house one room has been partially redone through insurance but that’s it as they only cut out the affected area , I feel super overwhelmed with the amount of work to try and get in top of here and I still have mouldy areas to clean in my bedroom. I will need to put in another claim for anything else and have to install 2 drains either side at the back of house so as to prevent water getting under again, plus roof repair needs doing before they finish, although they started that one room already the claim was partially accepted , also with my bedroom there’s gaps in the floors around the edges that weren’t covered (finished) so I’m guessing that’s why it’s coming up from underneath, I just want to know should I put insulation tape around the gaps to prevent this or just tape up I bought a wide one from Bunnings and thought this might help me out until I can fix the whole thing, or can you recommend anything else.
Hi @angelique5,
So sorry for the delay in my reply.
It sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate, but let’s tackle each issue step by step. For the kitchen sink, applying a bead of wet-area silicone around the edges should temporarily seal the gap and prevent water from getting through. While it’s always best to remove the sink and reseal it properly, doing this with the sink in place will work for now until you’re ready for a more thorough repair. Here's a helpful guide: How to apply silicone sealant.
For the lifted laminate, try to gently lift the affected sections without snapping them and apply contact adhesive underneath. Once the adhesive is in place, clamp the laminate down securely until it fully dries. This will help keep it in place and prevent further damage.
The gaps around the floor edges and door frame are likely due to the flooring not being accurately cut and scribed. As a temporary fix, you can use a silicone sealant that closely matches your flooring colour to fill the gaps. It won’t be perfect but will improve the appearance and prevent moisture or air from coming through.
Regarding the missing trim work in your last images, it looks like skirting boards or corner trims are missing. I’d recommend finding a skirting or moulding style that matches the rest of your home and reinstalling it using nails and a strong adhesive like Liquid Nails. This will tidy up those corners and provide a more polished look.
Take it one step at a time, and if you’re feeling overwhelmed, focus on the areas causing the most immediate concern, such as sealing the sink and addressing the mould. You’re making progress, even if it feels slow.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
I did wonder if maybe there was glue holding the corners down & wash hesitant about removing everything as I checked under at the clips one is completely missing and chipboard swelled it started to look like I was going to cut laminate out so I’ve stopped unfortunately both my silicone were white not clear so I’m going to need to buy the clear one today and it set me back , I know I’ll have to eventually cut away the damaged chipboard and replace with a new piece if that is even possible but doubt that a clip would even fit with the expansion, so should I buy one anyway I think just make water seal on top for now any suggestions for me on this job . I’m also doing the joints along the bench meeting up with tiles. Thanks 🙏
I keep meaning to send in questions but then get confused as I have so many other things happening and needed to paint door trim so that it can get a silicone seal too which I’ll do in a different thread so I don’t confuse myself
Hello @angelique5
I suggest not removing your sink or cutting the laminate as this will involve another set of repairs. For the meantime, I recommend putting on the silicone sealant on your sink. This will stop the water from leaking down into your cabinet. In regards to the sink clip, I suggest attaching it to the other side of your sink where there is one more spot you can use. You'll be able to clamp that section down as the benchtop there is not yet swollen.
I suggest creating a list on paper of the repairs that you would like to carry out. This will stop you from getting overwhelmed and help you focus on what needs to be done next. Working on multiple projects all at the same time will slow down your progress.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
