A first-time homeowner turned to fellow Redditors for help after a musty kitchen cabinet stayed around 85% humidity despite the use of a miniature dehumidifier.
Commenters suggested an inexpensive way to absorb the moisture and investigate before paying for repairs.
Here's what to know
According to the homeowner's post on Reddit, the under-sink cabinet had no visible mold, water droplets, or other obvious wetness. Yet keeping its doors closed led to a mildewy smell.
A low-cost mini dehumidifier placed inside the cabinet was only one of the measures the homeowner had tried. They had also used a space heater intermittently and run the bathroom exhaust fan during showers and for about half an hour afterward.
With little DIY experience, the homeowner wanted to know what to inspect and whom to call. "I don't know of any active leaks or anything, but I would hate to ignore this issue and see it snowball," they wrote.
More background
The broken garbage disposal was one possible explanation the homeowner had in mind for the humidity. It had gone unused for at least six months, with only minimal water running through its connected sink basin. Repair costs had kept the homeowner from getting it fixed.
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One commenter suggested that a small crack or loose clamp in the dishwasher drain hose might leak during a cycle. Commenters also recommended inspecting pipe connections and the garbage disposal flange. However, the homeowner said they had never used the dishwasher.
What can be done?
"Lay down toilet paper under the pipes and disposal. It will pinpoint any occasional drips. Repair when you locate the source," one commenter advised. Another Reddit commenter's test focused on the disposal flange and P-trap connections: check dry paper towels after leaving them wrapped around those spots for a day.
To reduce the moisture in the short term, a commenter recommended DampRid or a similar absorber. They said the original poster could get an Amazon six-pack for $20 and explained that saturated containers need replacing. The suggestion was intended as a stopgap while the homeowner looked for the source of the water.
On the question of hiring help, that commenter suggested a handyman could cost less than a licensed plumber if there were no major problems. They also advised checking connections for moisture by patting them with a dry towel.
One commenter recommended plumbing books with illustrated repair instructions. "You might find you're capable of minor repairs."
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