Your Wichita Cabinet Repair Guide

Is the door on your kitchen cabinet hanging open? Is there noticeable wear—or severe damage—covering the front of your doors and drawers? Are your shelves sagging, or are the boxes themselves looking a little loose? Those aren't problems you should ignore. It's important to address those issues with prompt, effective Wichita cabinet repairs.

Before your boxes come crashing down on your countertops or floor—along with every dish, bowl and plate inside them—you can complete repairs that will restore them to functional, safe and beautiful condition. While it's true some problems that involve cabinet repair are purely cosmetic, it's still important to address all issues promptly. That noticeable wear and those other minor issues could be a sign of underlying problems that will continue to get worse over time.

Luckily, you can always rely on the skilled craftsmen at Mr. Handyman of the Wichita Metro Area. Whether you just want advice from a local Wichita handyman or you need an appointment with a team that provides high-quality service, the knowledgeable, skilled technicians at Mr. Handyman of the Wichita Metro Area are here to meet your needs.

What is Cabinet Repair?

Simply put, it's any type of repair that involves fixing your cabinet drawers, hardware, doors, shelves or even the boxes themselves. Cabinet services also fall under the larger umbrella of carpentry, along with similar services like trim repair or custom carpentry services.

You don't have to be an expert carpenter to work on Wichita cabinet repairs, but it definitely helps. Some carpenters specialize specifically in cabinetry and offer specialized services like custom cabinet replacement. Many of the experts at Mr. Handyman of the Wichita Metro Area have many years of experience with woodworking, and you can trust that you'll get the best results possible when you choose us to repair cabinets in your home.

How Do You Know You Need Wichita Cabinet Repair Service?

There are a wide range of problems that could indicate you need Wichita cabinet services, from obvious, severe damage to small annoying issues. The most important thing to remember is that you should investigate any changes in the way your cabinet hardware, doors or other components function. If something seems off, that's a good reason to contact a handyman who can help with repairs.

There are Problems with Your Cabinet Doors or Drawers

Cabinet fronts, doors and drawers often suffer the most wear and tear. That's because they're used often, and the hardware that supports them will wear down over time, such as the hinges and drawer slides. Plus, the surfaces themselves will simply wear down over time, whether from many years of use or from being slammed and banging closed.

If you experience any issues with the way your doors or drawers open and close, that's a good sign that it's time for Wichita cabinet repair services. Common problems include doors that don't line up properly with their boxes, doors that hang open, drawers that stick and drawer slides that get bent out of shape.

There is Visible Damage or Wear

No matter what material your current cabinets are made of, they won't last forever. Eventually, gradual wear will result in visible damage that requires service for cabinet refacing or repairs. Fortunately, it's possible to fix many kinds of damage and wear. However, in situations where wear is widespread or damage is severe, you may want to consider cabinet replacement instead of repairs. Even with the highest quality craftsmanship available in Wichita, replacing something that's severely damaged will be more cost-effective and get you more satisfying results than trying to update it with repairs.

How Do You Know if You Need Replacement Service instead of Cabinet Repairs?

The most obvious, pressing sign is that your cabinet structure is damaged beyond the point that repairs or refacing will be effective—however, that's not the only situation in which you may want to consider replacement.

Other Situations Where You May Want to Consider Replacement:

• There is severe moisture damage or widespread wear

• You want to replace cheap, low-grade material that can't be refaced

• You want to change your kitchen layout

• There's a permanent, potent smell that you can't get rid of

• You're unhappy with the current look or feel of your kitchen

• You want to boost property value in an outdated kitchen

Unsure if You Need Wichita Cabinet Repairs or Replacement?

The handyman service professionals at Mr. Handyman of the Wichita Metro Area are here to help with your kitchen project. We'll help you inspect your drawers, hardware, doors and other surfaces, discuss your goals for your kitchen and help you find a solution that works best for meeting your needs. And of course, we'll take care of all the work too.

How Do You Fix a Broken Cabinet?

The solution required for cabinet repair will depend on what the problem is and how serious it is. With so many possible problems that could appear, there are a lot of different methods for Wichita cabinet repair. Some of the most common problems are easy to fix, while others require a little creative problem-solving from an experienced handyman. However, if you're experiencing a minor issue, you may be able to fix it yourself, as long as you have the necessary time, tools and patience to get the job done right.

Wichita Cabinet Repair Guide: How to Fix Misaligned Doors

This is one of the simplest types of cabinet repair. Wichita homeowners with a screwdriver can easily complete this job on their own with just a little time and effort. Misaligned doors are usually caused by loose screws in their hinges. In order to fix this issue, you'll need to use your screwdriver to adjust those screws, and therefore your door, until it's correctly aligned.

There are four screws that you may need to adjust. They're all located on the larger, bulkier part of the hinge that sits on the inside of the box itself—that part of the hinge that has four different screws attached to it. The screws on the top and bottom are for adjusting vertical fit. The screw farthest from the door, near the back of the middle section of the hinge, is for adjusting the space between the box and the door's edge. The screw closest to your door will adjust your inner corner alignment at the opposite corner—so, if your bottom inside corner needs to be higher or lower, you need to adjust your inner screw on your top hinge.

Wichita Cabinet Repair Guide: How to Reinforce Shelves and Drawer Bottoms

Your shelves and drawer bottoms will weaken and sag over time—especially if they're overloaded with heavy dishes or cutlery. If that happens, don't worry. It's possible to make them stronger. For this type of Wichita cabinet repair, you'll need to cut, glue and nail wood, so you may want to consider calling a local handyman if you're lacking any required tools or experience.

Many people replace sagging shelves, but if you buy the exact same shelf as before, it will only end up sagging again. The best solution is to cut a new shelf from thicker plywood, and then reinforce it by gluing and nailing rails along the sides and back before applying a polyurethane finish. Those additional rails will provide extra support that prevents sagging.

If your drawer bottoms start to sag or wear out, you'll want to replace them before they fall out completely. You can reinforce your drawers with 1/4 inch or 3/8 inch plywood. Cut the plywood into shape so that it fits over your drawer bottom with a small gap on each side. Then apply a layer of wood glue on the bottom of your drawer and place your plywood panel on top. Use a gallon of paint, or another heavy object, to secure the plywood while the glue dries.

Wichita Cabinet Repair Guide: How to Repair Scratches

Depending on the material you're working with, the exact method for this type of Wichita cabinet repair will differ, but the general process involves using filler—a type suited to the material you're working with—to fill in any small dents, scratches or gouges. The color may not match perfectly once you're done, but if done correctly, it will be hard to notice any signs of your work.

For wood, you can use wood filler to repair small scratches. Start by thoroughly sanding and cleaning the surface you plan to repair. Allow it to dry completely, and then apply a layer of filler using a putty knife. Once your filler is dry, sand it down, so that its surface is smooth and flush with the surrounding area. Lastly, you may want to apply a layer of paint or stain to help your repairs blend in.

If you're trying to repair damaged laminate cabinets, you'll need laminate repair paste to fill scratches. Take the time to find a paste that matches correctly, so that it blends in better. You may need to mix multiple colors to get a perfect match. Using a putty knife, apply a small amount of your chosen paste. Carefully smooth it out, and then allow it to dry—the drying process could take up to 24 hours. Once dry, you can apply a layer of furniture wax to help the paste blend in—some homeowners use lemon oil and vinegar for the same purpose.

Wichita Cabinet Repair Guide: How to Fix Sticking Drawers

If your drawers are sticking, you may be able to fix them simply by removing your drawer and applying dry lubricant to its track and slides. However, if the reason it's sticking is that its slides or track are damaged and bent out of shape, you'll have to remove and replace the damaged hardware.

Dry lubricant is a special type of lubricant that won't leave behind an oil residue—which could attract dust or dirt that will block your track. It's available at most hardware stores in Wichita. Before you apply it, take the time to wipe your track and slides clean to remove any existing dust or debris that may be contributing to your sticking problem. If applying dry lubricant doesn't stop your drawer from sticking, you'll likely need to replace your track or slides.

Are You Tired of Hearing Cabinet Doors Slamming?

If you cringe every time you hear the sounds of slamming cabinet doors in your home, there are solutions you can use to alleviate your stress—and reduce wear. The simplest is to install bumpers—or replace any that have fallen off over time. Putting on new bumpers is as easy as peeling off their backing and sticking them in place.

If you're looking for a more robust, permanent solution, you can swap out your existing hinges with soft-close hinges. Soft-close hinges have small, hydraulic systems that prevent slamming by easing closed in a smooth motion. Those hinges will help reduce wear on your doors and boxes if there are people in your home that tend to swing cabinets closed with force.

Why Should You Hire a Handyman for Wichita Cabinet Repairs?

Professional handyman service is a great choice for any type of home repair that involves a wide range of possible causes and solutions. If you don't have experience with home repairs, it could be difficult to figure out exactly what the problem is, and it could be even more difficult to figure out how to solve it. A professional handyman has the benefit of years of experience investigating and solving similar problems, which helps them quickly and effectively solve all kinds of issues. Plus, they come with all the tools they need to get repairs done right, and they'll even source any required materials, so all you have to do is sit back and relax while they take care of all the hard work.

Do You Need Wichita Cabinet Repair Services?

Mr. Handyman of the Wichita Metro Area is here to meet all your needs for cabinet repairs and many other home repair, improvement and maintenance jobs. We proudly serve Wichita and many nearby areas, including Goddard and Garden Plain.

Call 316-285-1217 to schedule an appointment with our team or learn more about our services.