How to Repair Kitchen Cabinets: 8 Common Issues You Can Easily Fix

Like everything else in your home, kitchen cabinets have a life span and can suffer from various issues due to daily wear and tear. Whether you’re dealing with misaligned doors, loose knobs, or more severe problems like water damage, knowing how to repair kitchen cabinets can save you time, money, and stress.

This guide will walk you through common cabinet issues and how to fix them.

Crooked or Misaligned Doors

Fixing crooked cabinet doors is straightforward, especially with BLUM compact hinges, which we exclusively use with all our cabinets. Crooked doors result from needing your hinges tightened or readjusted.

BLUM hinges are European-type hinges, which means they adjust in three directions: side-to-side, up and down, and in and out.

• Side-to-side adjustment: Loosen the side-to-side adjustment screw on the hinge and gently slide the door left or right as needed. Retighten the screw.
• Up and down adjustment: Loosen the screw on the hinge to adjust the height; if the door needs to be raised, lift it at the required hinge point and tighten the screw. Do the same if it needs to be lowered.
• Depth adjustment: The screw controlling the depth is usually located at the back of the hinge. Loosen the screw and pull the door closer or push it away from the cabinet frame and retighten.

Loose Cabinet Knobs or Pulls

A loose cabinet handle can lead to significant future problems and should be addressed immediately.

• Gently tighten the knob with a screwdriver: Make sure not to overtighten because it can cause the knobs to break.
• Use adhesive: We recommend using adhesive if your handles keep loosening.  Try a specific construction adhesive for the best results.

Cabinet Doors are Not Closing Properly

If your cabinet doors don’t close properly, it’s probably from a stripped screw hole. This means the hole has been worn out over time, and it's no longer able to grip the screw. This can happen if a screw is tightened with too much force.

• Fill your stripped screw holes: There are a few different methods to fill the stripped screw holes. One of the most common ways is with a toothpick. Reinforce the stripped screw holes with a toothpick- insert them into the hole along with wood glue and let dry, then reinsert the screw. You can also use wood filler. For more methods, check out this blog post on adjusting cabinet hinges.

Warped Cabinets

Wood cabinets can become warped if you live in a humid environment or your oven is constantly in use.

• Wipe moisture immediately: If you notice moisture on your cabinets, wipe it immediately to prevent further damage. Unfortunately, once cabinets become warped, they cannot be repaired easily.
• Lay sandbag on top of warped door: One option is to unscrew the door from the cabinet, lay it flat, and put a heavy object on top, like a sandbag. Keep it there until the warp improves.

Loud Closing Doors

If your cabinet doors bang loudly when they shut, there is a quick and easy way to fix it.

• Use door bumpers: Bumpers are peel-and-stick soft padding that can be purchased at any hardware store. To soften the impact, apply the bumpers to the top and bottom of the cabinet doors.

Touch Up Nicks and Scratches

Nicks and scratches can appear on your cabinet doors from everyday wear and tear. There are a couple of solutions to fix them quickly.

• Use a touch-up marker: Touch-up markers are great for filling in shallow scratches. Our touch-up kits are available in all cabinet colors and are a great way to keep your cabinets looking pristine. Our kits also contain a fill stick for damaged edges.

Fixing Broken Drawer Boxes

If your drawer fell apart at the corners, you could still salvage it by gluing the pieces back together.

• Repair broken joints: The joints are critical to your drawers' construction. If the joints are poorly built, the drawer will fall apart quickly. Dovetail construction, which we use in all our cabinets, ensures solidly built joints that will last for years. To fix broken joints, remove the drawer and remove any old glue. Apply new wood glue and nail the pieces of the drawer back together.

Cleaning Rusty Hinges

Nothing is more unsightly than rusty hinges. No matter how beautiful your cabinets are, they will look older and more worn out.

• Remove the rust: Remove the hinges and scrub them vigorously with steel wool. A tried-and-true tip is to soak them in soda for a few hours, which will make the rust come right off. Rinse the hinges and reinstall them after you thoroughly dry them. If you are unhappy with the results, installing new hinges is the best option.

Preventative Maintenance Tips

• Regular cleaning: It’s essential to wipe down and clean your kitchen cabinets regularly to prevent the buildup of grease and grime. Use a mild soap mixed with warm water, and wipe with a soft cloth weekly.
• Humidity control: If you live in a particularly humid area, use a dehumidifier to prevent warping and moisture damage. Always use a range hood to prevent a buildup of moisture while cooking.
• Lubricate hinges and slides: Regularly lubricate hinges and drawer slides with a silicone-based lubricant to prevent squeaking and ensure smooth operation. This can extend the life of the hardware and avoid rust or wear.

When to Call a Professional

If you have complex repairs like structural damage or water damage or need precise adjustments, it is always best to call a professional. Also, if you’d like to upgrade your cabinets with custom features and accessories, you should consult a professional to determine what would be best for your space.

Fixing up your kitchen cabinets doesn't have to be overwhelming. With a few simple steps—like tightening a loose screw, realigning a crooked door, or swapping out old hardware—you can give your cabinets a new lease on life and keep your kitchen looking great. Just take a moment to figure out what's wrong, then use the tips in this guide to get your cabinets back in shape. If you want to start visualizing what a new kitchen will look like, check out our Visualizer for some inspiration.

FAQS

Is it better to repair or replace cabinets?

If budget is your priority, it is better to repair your cabinets. Refinish or repaint them as a quick alternative to completely replacing your kitchen. Remember that if the damage to your cabinets is terrible, it would be better to replace them.

How do I repair damaged kitchen cabinets?

For deep gouges, use wood filler. Spread a putty knife and spatula over the gouges and wipe off excess. Once dry, sand it down until smooth.

Can water damaged cabinets be repaired?

Yes, water-damaged cabinets can be repaired if there is minor exterior damage. If the drawer and cabinet box are warped, you will need to replace the cabinets.

What’s the quickest way to refresh my kitchen?

Either replace broken, damaged doors and drawers or sand them down and repaint them. Either way, you can refresh your kitchen without the cost of a full cabinet replacement.