Can I use durock/cement backer board as a cabinet underlayment?

[vi edit]

I'm in the middle of a kitchen remodel -

see this thread:
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=38&threadid=2260086

Got to ripping out the sink and dishwasher areas last night and found that the dishwater had leaked at one point so bad that it effectively ate a hole through the underlayment under it and seeped out couple feet in all directions. The subfloor is in good shape. I can see the bottom of it from the basement and there's not a water stain. Digging up the underlayment the top side shows the subfloor is pretty decent too. Not perfect, but liveable.

My question is - I have a bunch of leftover 1/2" durock sheeting that I used for tile back splash backer. It's the right height to go as an underlayment. And given the potential for leaks, durock is the perfect material since it doesn't rot.

But is there any problem setting base cabinets back on top of it? I'd be putting a 39" sink base, a 48" blind corner, and another 24" of a blind return over it.

 

[amdskip]

I don't see why not.

 

[Strk]

It should be fine.

And I'm just a bit lazy to read through everything, but you are replacing the dishwasher, right?

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Strk
It should be fine.

And I'm just a bit lazy to read through everything, but you are replacing the dishwasher, right?

The dishwasher is pretty new and I don't think it's the cause of the problem. We just ran it a day ago and there's no sign of dampness. I think it was caused by a prior device (or the current one and fixed) and the previous owners were too lazy to repair things when they swapped it out.

 

[Greenman]

It shouldn't be a problem, though I'd use hardibacker in that installation. A layer of building paper under it would insure that no water can seep through.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Greenman
It shouldn't be a problem, though I'd use hardibacker in that installation. A layer of building paper under it would insure that no water can seep through.

Yeh, I have a roll of roofing paper that I thought of putting between the two. Is the Hardiboard just a better manufactured (more level/smooth) product than durock? It looks like I can get that in a 3x5 sheet still, which is good since I can carry that in my van. 4x8 sheets are too big.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Perfectly fine. If you had a tile floor, this would be the underlayment anyway. Won't matter if it's under a cabinet, as long as you have something else to anchor everything to (subfloor, walls).