ud83dudcda Apt.1 Kitchen Series u2014 1 of 10
u2190 (first article) u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Apt.1 Kitchen Wall Vol.2: Primer & Top Coat u2192
2026 Update from DIY Dad: Kitchen Wall Repair and Water Leak Response
ud83duded2 RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Modern Kitchen Cabinet Handles
New handles cost u00a53,000u20138,000 and make a kitchen feel 10 years newer instantly.
During the 1st-floor kitchen wall repair, we discovered a water leak u2014 an unexpected accident. A real look back at a landlord DIY job.
What Makes Kitchen Wall Repair Different
ud83duded2 RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Kitchen Faucets
A faucet upgrade is the single highest-impact kitchen DIY per yen spent.
Kitchen walls differ from ordinary rooms:
- Water and grease: stubborn grease soaks into walls near the stove
- Humidity: steam from cooking deteriorates wall materials easily
- Fixtures: gas stove, ventilation fan, water supply pipes are all built into the walls
- Tiled walls: if wallpapering over tiles, grout joints need treatment first
Kitchen wall repair follows the flow: remove fixtures u2192 repair wall u2192 reinstall fixtures. Handle fixtures with care.
Surface Preparation Around Oily Stove Areas
- Remove as much grease as possible
- Apply a stain-blocking sealer/primer
- After drying, use putty/filler to level the surface
- Choose kitchen-grade, stain-resistant wallpaper
As a Landlord: Catch Leaks Early, Fix Them Fast
ud83duded2 RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Kitchen Backsplash Tile Kits
A tiled backsplash protects the wall and dramatically upgrades the kitchen appearance.
Neglecting water leaks leads to wood decay, mold, electrical issues, and rapidly multiplying repair costs. Regular inspections and early detection are the foundation of protecting your rental property.
Hi, it’s DIY Dad.
Starting the kitchen wall repair.
First up for the kitchen: removing the fixtures.
Let’s look at the existing sink, ventilation fan, and sub-panel before we begin.
u2191 Sink
u2191 Ventilation fan
u2191 Breaker panel
u2191 Shelving
All of these will eventually be removed, but for the painting phase I decided it was fine to leave them for now.
u2191 Before renovation
(Ceiling painting has already started a little.)
u2191 Before renovation
u2191 Before renovation
u2191 Before renovation
(I actually painted the ceiling first, but have no photos u2014 so let’s just say it magically got done.)
This grimy atmosphere is about to be completely transformed!
That’s it for today u2014 see you next time!
ud83dudcda Apt.1 Kitchen Series u2014 1 of 10
u2190 (first article) u00b7 Series Index u00b7 Apt.1 Kitchen Wall Vol.2: Primer & Top Coat u2192
DIY Renovation Quote Review Manual
How to read, compare, and negotiate contractor quotes. This manual saved me u00a5800,000 on a single renovation project.
ud83cudfe0 More from DIY Father
15 years of landlord experience u00b7 3 apartment buildings u00b7 DIY renovations that saved millions of yen. Browse all articles at diytosan.com
