Apt. 1 Kitchen Wall Repair Vol.5: Covering Up the Water Damage

2026 Update from DIY Dad: Kitchen Wall Repair and Water Leak Response

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

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

Applying wallpaper over grease-soaked walls near the stove:

• First, remove as much grease as possible with silicone-off or baking soda
• Apply a stain-blocking sealer/primer (prevents oil from bleeding through)
• After drying, use putty/filler to fix uneven surfaces
• Choose kitchen-grade, stain-resistant wallpaper (easy to wipe off grease)

For deep grease stains, apply the sealer multiple times. “One coat of cheap sealer” is less reliable than “two coats of good sealer.”

Water Leak Discovered During Construction

We found signs of a water leak while demolishing and repairing the kitchen walls. Older apartments can hide leaks inside the walls.

Steps when a leak is found:

• First, locate where the water is getting in
• On a rainy day, visually confirm where water enters
• Check whether it’s coming from the roof, exterior walls, or around window frames
• Waterproof-repair the source
• Check for internal rot and mold u2192 replace/treat as needed
• Confirm it’s dry, then proceed with wall finishing

If you finish the wall while ignoring a leak, it will definitely recur. When you find it, you must fully eliminate the cause.

How DIY Dad Fixed the Leak

• Re-caulked around window frames
• Filled cracks in the exterior wall with caulk
• Waterproofed the roof valley (where rainwater collects)

Caulk repairs are relatively DIY-friendly. However, high-up roof work is dangerous u2014 consider hiring a professional depending on the situation. Safety first.

As a Landlord: Catch Leaks Early, Fix Them Fast

What happens if you ignore a water leak:

• Wood decay (affects structural members)
• Mold growth (health risk)
• Electrical problems (risk of short circuit)
• Repair costs multiply (can become 10x what early repair would have cost)

Finding the leak during DIY was a happy accident. Regular inspections for early detection are the basics of protecting your property as a landlord.

Hi, it’s DIY Dad.
We’re working on the bay-window counter in the kitchen.
Last time, I figured the rotted counter was caused by water, and decided to just cover it up for now.
Out of sight, out of mind u2014 that kind of approach. (laughs)

u2191 Overlay material

u2191 Overlay material

u2191 Overlay material
Applying this now.
We spread wood glue on the counter surface (thin stainless sheet) and apply the overlay.

u2191 Overlay application
We put up a kitchen-panel-like board on the existing tile wall, so we’re masking it to protect it from scratches.

u2191 Overlay application

u2191 Overlay application

u2191 Overlay application
The ends of the partition wall are finished with filler/putty.

u2191 Partition wall trim

u2191 Partition wall trim
Just covering it up makes it look dramatically better u2014 practically brand new! (Major overstatement.)
That’s it for today u2014 see you next time!

同じカテゴリの記事を読む

8棟自主管理の経験から書いた関連記事 — まとめて読むと理解が深まります

▸ English

Living Room Renovation Vol.5: Wallpaper Removal

▸ English

Living Room Renovation Vol.6: Wall Undercoat & Primer

▸ English

Living Room Renovation Vol.14: Door Adjustment Pt.2

▸ Bathroom DIY

Apt.1 Bathroom Vol.4: Entryway Floor Repair

▸ English

Apt. 1 Kitchen Wall Repair Vol.4: Discovering the Leak Source

▸ English

Surface Protection: Masking Tape Guide