How to Fix Common Cabinet Problems: From Sticky Drawers to Sagging Doors
Here’s How to Keep Your Cabinets Working Well
From morning coffee to midnight snacks, your cabinets are one of the most used features in your home. Over time, daily wear and tear can lead to sticking wooden drawers, sagging doors, scratched and dinged finishes, and other frustrating issues.
The good news? You don’t always need brand-new cabinets to get them looking and working like they should. With a few simple tools and tricks, a lot of your most common cabinet problems are quick and inexpensive to fix.
Sticky or Hard-to-Open Drawers
Why it happens:
As dust, debris, and crumbs are placed and removed from your cabinets, over time, they can get caught in the track. Humidity is another factor, especially in older cabinets, that can cause the wood to swell and make drawers stick. Finally, old enough or misaligned tracks can cause similar issues. All of these factors can contribute to a difficult-to-open drawer.
How to fix it:
Remove the drawer and clean the track with warm, soapy water. Dry completely. Avoid leaving water to pool on the wood cabinets.
Apply silicone spray or rub paraffin wax along the slides to make it move more smoothly. Avoid oil-based sprays as they attract dust and can make the problem worse over time.
If the slides are bent or misaligned, tighten or replace them.
Sagging Cabinet Doors
Why it happens:
Cabinets are one of the hardest-working features in your home, getting opened, closed, and leaned on multiple times a day. Many times, without us even noticing. Over the years, this constant use, combined with environmental factors, can take a toll. Moisture from cooking steam, bathroom humidity, or even seasonal changes in temperature can cause wood to swell, warp, or crack. Hinges can loosen from repeated movement, screws can strip out of their holes, and finishes can begin to peel or discolor. While these issues are common, catching them early can help you avoid expensive repairs down the road.
How to fix it:
Tighten hinge screws with a screwdriver.
If the screw holes are stripped, fill them with wood filler or a glued wooden dowel, then reattach the hinge.
For warped doors, try removing them and storing them in a flat, dry area.
3. Peeling or Chipped Cabinet Finish
Why it happens:
Harsh cleaning chemicals, heat or moisture damage, and general wear and tear can cause peeling or chipping to your cabinet finishes.
How to fix it:
Lightly sand the damaged area with fine-grit sandpaper.
Apply matching touch-up paint, stain, or finish (your cabinet showroom can help match colors perfectly).
For larger damaged areas, professional refinishing or refacing might be the best option.
4. Misaligned Cabinet Doors
Why it happens:
Over time, it’s not uncommon for cabinet doors to fall slightly out of alignment. This can happen as your home naturally settles, causing small shifts in the frame, or simply from the hinges loosening after years of everyday use. While it may start as a minor gap or uneven edge, misaligned doors can occasionally impact the overall appearance and functionality of your cabinets.
How to fix it:
Use the hinge adjustment screws to move the door vertically or horizontally until it lines up.
Replace worn hinges if adjustments don’t help.
When It’s Time to Call a Professional
If your cabinets are damaged beyond repair, it may be more cost-effective to replace them. Our showroom offers a wide range of stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets to fit every style and budget. We can help you match your current cabinets for a quick fix or design an all-new look for your kitchen or bathroom.
Whether you need touch-up supplies, replacement hardware, or new cabinetry, we’re here to help. Stop by our showroom to explore finishes, styles, and storage solutions that will keep your home beautiful and functional for years to come.
