Savvy Kitchen Cabinet Repair Tips for 3 Common Issues
By Kelly RichardsonRefacingCabinet.com Columnist
It's time for a kitchen tune up, starting with your cabinets. There are several issues that can affect the performance of older cabinets. If replacements aren't in your budget, here are three quick kitchen cabinet repairs for some of the most common problems you'll encounter.
Kitchen Cabinet Repair Problem #1: The Cabinet Door Doesn't Meet the Frame.
The weight of your cabinet door can cause unevenness. Left unaddressed, the cabinet will eventually look off-center and may even show spaces around the edges--an eyesore, for sure.
The Fix: Re-Hang
Remove the cabinet door, putty the old screw holes, and reattach. All you'll need is some quality wood putty, a screwdriver, and a level to check for alignment.
Kitchen Tune Up Problem #2: The Cabinet Finish is Peeling or Fading.
This issue comes from simple wear and tear. Signs include a rough surface and lighter wood color in the middle as opposed to the edges.
The Fix: Refresh
Simply sand and stain for a like-new look. Use a 120-grit sandpaper to smooth the roughness. Then apply a couple of coats of primer and stain.
Kitchen Cabinet Repair Problem #3: The Cabinet Screws are Loose.
The screw holes become wider than the hardware. This problem affects older cabinets and can be a safety concern over time.
The Fix: Reset
Use the toothpick trick. Remove the door and insert a toothpick into the screw hole. Break it off even with the cabinet. Then reinsert the screw--it will use the toothpick for traction.
These projects are basic in nature and require common, inexpensive materials to complete. Even if you're not a do-it-yourselfer, chances are you can pull these fixes off and give your kitchen cabinets a few more years of life.
About The Author
Kelly C. Richardson, MEd is a freelance writer and manic do-it-yourselfer. He specializes in home improvement projects ranging from savvy landscaping to house repair and beyond. Find out more about him at kellyrichardsoncopywriting.com.
