How To Fix Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets work hard, and all that,opening and closing creates a variety of problems.  Most are inexpensive and easy to fix, so take a day and plow through them, it will be like having a new kitchen.



Build A Shelf That Won't Sag



Don't bother replacing a sagging shelf with another 1/2 inch thick shelf or it will end up sagging too.  Instead, cut a new shelf from 3/4 inch plywood.  Make it the same length and 1 1/2 inch narrower.  Then glue and Brad nail 1x2 rails along the front and back of the shelf, flush with the ends.  The rails give the shelf additional support so it won't sag, even if you load it up with heavy cookware.  Apply a polyurethane finish to match your other shelves.


Replace Worn-Out Drawer Slides



Lubricants won't fix damaged drawer slides, they have to be replaced.  This is a common problem on silverware drawers and other drawers that carry a lot of weight.  Buy new slides that are the same, or nearly the same, as your old ones.  Then it's just a matter of swapping them out.  You'll find a limited selection of drawer slides at home centers, but there are dozens of online sources.  These sites also sell the plastic mounting sockets that attach to the back of the cabinet to hold the slides in place.



Silence Banging Doors With Bumpers



Doors and drawers slam loudly against wood.  That's why most have "bumpers" near the interior corners to cushion the impact and reduce the noise.  But the bumpers sometimes fall off.  Get new ones at home centers.  Peel off the backing and stick the bumpers in place.  They're available clear or with felt, and in different thicknesses.  Use bumpers the same thickness as those on adjacent doors.



Fill In Stripped Screw Holes



When the screws in your hinges or drawer slides turn but don't tighten, the screw hole is stripped.  That can prevent doors and drawers from closing properly.  Fix the problem with glue and toothpicks.  Start by removing the hardware.  Then apply a drop of wood,glue to the ends of toothpicks and cram as many as will fit into the holes.  Wipe away any glue that drips out.  A let the glaze dry, then use a utility knife to cut the toothpicks flush with the cabinet or drawer.  Reinstall the hardware, driving the screw through the filled hole.



I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful!



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