How to Fix a Hanging Cabinet

Just like people, cabinet doors can get out of whack due to age or plain everyday use. Common problems with cabinet doors include sagging and doors that refuse to stay closed. Follow these steps to fix your cabinet doors.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Screwdriver
• Drill

1. Fix the screws in the hinges. Often, a little tightening with a screwdriver is all that your cabinet door needs.

2. Remove screws if they keep slipping out of the hole, which may be worn. Make shims for stripped screw holes by dabbing wood slivers with glue and inserting them in the holes. Replace the screws and tighten them.

3. Replace the screws in the hinges with longer or wider screws, making certain that the new screw will still fit in the hinges. This sometimes requires drilling deeper.

4. Write off the old worn holes and drill new holes for the cabinet door hinges. Plan this so that the hardware covers up the old holes.

5. Look at cabinet doors that refuse to stay closed from the side. The wood may be warped, and the best solution is to replace the cabinet door.

6. Consider replacing old, worn-out hinges with new, self-closing ones. Self-closing hinges contain a spring that usually holds the door shut.

7. Mount a door latch to fix your cabinet door. You have many different styles to choose from, but most include rollers or magnets mounted inside the door that corresponds to pieces on the door.

Tips & Warnings

• Match the type of screwdriver (Phillips or flat) with the type of screw with the hinge.
• When removing or tightening screws, alternate working on the top and bottom screws.
• If you must drill new holes, creating a template will help you position the hinges correctly.
• Some cabinets come with Euro hinges that allow different ways of adjusting and aligning cabinet doors.