How to Know if Kitchen Cabinets Are Deteriorating

Some cabinets may need to be replaced if deterioration is severe.

Homeowners can spruce up their kitchen by repainting, re-staining, or refacing old cabinets. Dents and gouges can easily be filled in with wood filler putty, then sanded and refinished. However, if the kitchen cabinets are made from cheap material, such as particle board or MDF, and show considerable deterioration, it may be advantageous to replace the cabinets instead of investing more money into the them. Before deciding to refinish or buy new cabinetry, it is a good idea to determine if the cabinets are deteriorating.

Instructions

1. Check for wood swelling. Swelling is caused by water damage or extreme humidity. Wood can be sanded down in instances of minor swelling; however, extreme swelling causes warping, which can keep the doors and drawers from closing properly.

2. Inspect the shelves inside the cabinet. Shelves that bow or bend down in the middle are an indication that the cabinets should be replaced.

3. Slide the drawers in and out. Drawers that are slightly battered on the outside but slide easily can be refinished. However, if the drawers are difficult to slide in and out, the cabinets may need to be replaced.

4. Look for mold, which grows in warm, wet areas. Cabinets that are exposed to a lot of moisture, and with deteriorating finish, will sometimes grow mold, which can be dangerous. Cabinets with severe mold damage should be replaced.

5. Check for deterioration from years of cooking. Cabinets can darken due to smoke damage, grease, and food residue. Most of the time, dirty cabinets can be cleaned using a cleaning solvent. However, severe residue is difficult to remove and may need to be replaced.

References

• Demesne: Cabinet Refacing
• Gallery Insight: Kitchen Refurbishment