Cabinetry Removal

Detaching or Removing Cabinetry

Planning and Assessment:

Project Scope: Determine whether the cabinets are being detached for storage and reinstallation later or for complete removal and disposal. This will dictate the level of care and preservation required.

Water Shutdown: Before any removal, shut off the main water supply to the house. Confirm water is off prior to disconnecting water lines. 

Electrical Shutdown: Disconnect electrical circuits to the dishwasher, garbage disposal, and any under-cabinet lighting at the electrical panel to render the space safe. Confirm with a voltage tester that the power is off.

Safety Precautions: Wear appropriate PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, as well as sturdy footwear.

Packing of Cabinet Contents:

Complete Emptying: Remove all items from the cabinets and drawers that are to be removed.

Labeling: Organize and clearly label the boxed kitchen cabinet contents for easy reference later.

Fragile Items: Take extra care with fragile items, packing them securely.

Getting Started/ Prepping The Work Area:

• Move Furniture & Content: Get the furniture and content out of the way prior to getting started.

• Drying Equipment Present: If drying equipment is onsite & running, it must be switched off, wrapped up, and moved out of the work area.

• Dehumidifier readings should be collected before moving them, if running.

• It's going to be in the way: It'll just be something else that requires manipulation in the room.

• Dehumidifier(s) should be moved into another area out of the way, and keep it running, as they take a while to start dehumidifying again

  • Ensure that the discharge hose is still in the drain. (even when switched off, the discharge can activate by leaning the unit back for repositioning.)

• Air movers should also be switched off and moved, as they 2 will be in the way & create issues in production efforts.

• Air Filtration Devices should be be operated as normally while work is ongoing to control dust & debris. 

  • Special considerations may be required if they are absolutely going to be in the way. 

  • This requires special shutdown sequences on many situations. 

• Protect Surrounding Areas: Cover adjacent floors with protective material or drop cloths to prevent damage associated with the removal.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wear safety glasses, gloves, a dust mask or respirator, and knee pads for comfort.

• Tools required:

  • Cordless drill

  • Pliers & Wrenches

  • Electrical tester

  • Cordless impact driver

  • Hammer

  • Flat bar

  • Utility Knife

• Setup a Containment Barriers: Especially if saws will be required or if you suspect there will be mold growth discovered.

• Use Air Filtration: Especially if saws will be required, or if mold is likely to be discovered during removal. (Negative Pressure is Preferred)

Detaching Water Supply Lines:

Water Supply Lines:

• • Use two wrenches to disconnect water supply lines, one to hold the pipe and one to turn the fitting.

  • Drain any remaining water from the lines.

  • Cap off the water supply lines to prevent leaks.

Sink Removal:

• • Disconnect the drain line and water supply lines to the faucet.

  • If a garbage disposal is present, remove it from the sink flange.

  • Remove the sink from the countertop, either by lifting it out or unscrewing it from underneath.

    • The removal of the sink from the countertop may not be required, so long as it's not going to create issues with removal.

Appliance Removal:

Refrigerator:

• Carefully inspect the installation making note of the presence of a water line feeding it. 

• Carefully slide the unit forward till an inspection of the backside can be made. 

• Pull the unit out & disconnect the waterline feeding the bottom side of the refrigerator's ice maker.

Dishwasher:

• • Remove the 2 screws holding the dishwasher to the countertop. (Do not lose these)

  • Unplug the power cord or disconnect the electrical wiring.

    • Disconnect the power from the front bottom of the dishwasher. (1 single screw holds a cover on)

  • Disconnect the water supply line and drain line.

Other Appliances: Remove any other appliances, such as ovens, cooktops, and microwaves.

Countertop Removal:

Material Identification: Identify the countertop material (laminate, solid surface, granite, quartz, etc.). 

• Understanding the top type will determine the appropriate removal techniques.

Laminate Countertops: These are typically attached with screws going from the cabinet frame up into the countertop from underneath. 

• Remove the screws and carefully lift the countertop. 

• These countertops are sometimes glued to the tops of the cabinets, and even edge glued to each other

Solid Surface Countertops: These may be glued or screwed in place. Use a putty knife or pry bar to carefully separate the countertop from the cabinets.

• Remove the glued on backsplash if present. (avoid damage, but sacrifice the wall over the backsplash or countertop)

Granite and Stone Countertops: These are extremely heavy and fragile.

• • Remove the glued on backsplash if present. (avoid damage, but sacrifice the wall over the granite)

    • Using a putty knife with a wide blade will often help in both driving 

  • They are often attached with adhesive and may have hidden seams.

  • Use suction cups and steel bars that are designed for stone countertops to provide rigidity & to lift and maneuver the countertop.

  • Support the countertop from their ridge to prevent cracking.

  • Multiple people are required for safe removal and transport.

  • Have a dedicated safe location to move the counter to.

    • These tops require being stored on their ridge on a special frame.

Cabinet Detachment:

Upper Cabinets:

• • Locate the screws or brackets securing the cabinets to the wall studs.

  • Remove the screws and carefully lower the cabinets.

  • Have an assistant help with heavy cabinets.

Lower Cabinets:

• • Remove any toe kick panels.

  • Locate the screws or brackets securing the cabinets to the wall studs or floor.

  • Locate the hidden screws that hold cabinet faces together as well as filler strips.

  • Remove the screws and carefully slide the cabinets out.

Island Cabinets: Island cabinets can be attached in a variety of ways, typically screws into the floor.

• Island Cabinets also typically will have electrical and HVAC registers that must be carefully manipulated to allow removal.

Full Height Cabinets: These cabinets typically are attached much like the lower & upper cabinets.

Storage vs. Disposal:

Storage:

• • If the cabinets are being stored for reinstallation, extra care is needed to ensure they're not damaged during disassembly.

  • Store them in a dry, protected area to prevent damage. 

  • If stacking is required for storage, ensure that they aren't a tip hazard, but avoid stacking where possible.

  • Label all components for easy identification.

• Disposal (Complete):

  • Remove door & drawer pulls (store them in a labeled resealable bag.)

  • If the cabinets are being disposed of, break them down into smaller pieces.

• Disposal (Partial): If the faces, doors & hardware are being salvaged, but the boxes are damaged)

  • Pull out and store any drawers from their drawer base cabinet.

  • Carefully separate, by prying or screw/staple removal, the face plate & doors away from the box of the cabinet.

  • Store the face plate, door & hardware assembly in a safe manner to avoid damage until a cabinet contractor can transport them for repair.

Clean up: 

• Sweep up large debris remaining.

• Vacuum remaining debris from sweeping.

Setup Drying Equipment: (If applicable)

Equipment Setup: If equipment was removed from the room before getting started, reset that equipment as it was previously.

Documentation:

• Take photos of the cabinets and countertops before, during, and after removal.

• Document the removal process, including any challenges encountered.