Leveling, shimming cabinets on floor

[bmwpower]

Getting set to put my tops on my Lista cabinets, but first I want to level/shim my cabinets. What's the best way to raise the cabinets to the proper height AND avoid any liquid from getting under the cabinets? These cabinets are pretty heavy without tools. I want something that will keep the cabinets at the proper height over time.

Are shims good enough?

 

[ultgar]

Your Lista dealer should have given you a pack of their factory steel shims. There are also some custom levelling bases (from Lista and others) or if you really have a floor pitch problem, you can always pour a separate level pad....

Its also important to bolt the cabinets together to the keep the edges tight.

 

[wilbilt]

Heavy machinery sitting on concrete is often leveled using grout around the base of the machine. "Grouting in" serves to support the machine as well as sealing the edges of the base to keep chips, oil, etc. out from under it.

I don't know how that would work for cabinets, though. The only thing I can think of would be to shim them and then use a vinyl baseboard-type stripping around the botoms to conceal any gaps and seal them to the floor.

 

[toxicz28]

Heavy machinery sitting on concrete is often leveled using grout around the base of the machine. "Grouting in" serves to support the machine as well as sealing the edges of the base to keep chips, oil, etc. out from under it.

It is also used with steel columns, but in both instances, it is combined with shim packs to support "most" of the load.

 

[bmwpower]

Thanks Steve. Those steel shims sound like the right thing to use. Never got them with the shipment. I guess it's time to make another call.

 

[bmwpower]

It is also used with steel columns, but in both instances, it is combined with shim packs to support "most" of the load.

Grouting sounds like a good idea. I might try that as well. Just use ordinary grout or something special?

 

[MXtras]

Use a low shrink grout. Check "Unisorb" or also look into "ChockFast Orange" - a heavy duty, low shrink epoxy.

Scott

 

[ultgar]

Thanks Steve. Those steel shims sound like the right thing to use. Never got them with the shipment. I guess it's time to make another call.

The shims do not come with the cabinets from the factory but a full service dealer (or someone who is installing them for you) will include the shims at no charge. Steve

 

[Vermaraj]

Grouting sounds like a good idea. I might try that as well. Just use ordinary grout or something special?

for this application grout refers to hydraulic cement. It has a higher compression rating than concrete (usually in 10-12k range), doesn't shrink went it dries, and spreads easily into a mold.

That is the downside, most grouts requires a mold. Not sure if the big box retailers sell it. You may have to buy from a contractor supply yard.

 

[bmwpower]

for this application grout refers to hydraulic cement. It has a higher compression rating than concrete (usually in 10-12k range), doesn't shrink went it dries, and spreads easily into a mold.

That is the downside, most grouts requires a mold. Not sure if the big box retailers sell it. You may have to buy from a contractor supply yard.

How about this stuff?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=137835-286-1126-11

 

[PAToyota]

Also, be sure that the grout is non-metallic...

 

[Vermaraj]

How about this stuff?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=137835-286-1126-11

Sounds like it is designed for different application. Probably has the non-shrink properties, so that it remains water tight. If you shim with plastic or metal this could dress up the edge and keep dust and water out.

If your looking to support the load, especially a dynamic load (heavy shifting or banging) on top of your heavy cabinets then look for a load bearing hydraulic cement. like this:

http://www.targetproducts.com/catalog/specsheets/machbasegr.pdf

 

[bmwpower]

Dang. Sounds like this stuff needs a substrate, which I do not have. Metal cabinet on the top of the joint, epoxy floor on the bottom of the joint. No way I'm grinding off the epoxy.