Cupboard doors and drawers work hard for a living so small but irritating faults can occur in their usually smooth running. Here some common problems and their remedies are covered. Often a simple repair job can considerably increase ease of use, good looks and efficiency.
Repairing doors
The two main causes of ill fitting cupboard doors are faulty hinges and warping of the door wood. With a screwdriver, hammer and plane, these problems can soon be taken care of.
Hinges
Hinges are a regular source of trouble. With constant use screws become loose, causing doors to stick and drop out of the line. Familiarity with the different types of hinges makes identifying and solving the problem much easier. Butt hinges are used widely on wooden doors and found particularly on older cupboard doors. The hinge plates need to be fitted into recesses cut into the door and door frame.
From the outside, the spine of the hinge will be visible where the door joins the cupboard. A gap appears between the two sides when the door is opened. Concealed hinges are used on the most modern furniture, particularly kitchen units, wardrobes and cupboards, which have surface-mounted doors. They are invisible from the outside and are easy to adjust when a door drops out of the line.
There are two types. Lay-on concealed hinges are simply screwed to the door and the side of the cabinet and do not need to be recessed. This makes them easier to fit if you have to replace them, but they are more obvious when the door is open than the recessed type. The latter are more popular as they give a neater finish and are easier to adjust if a door drops out of the line.
Adjusting a Concealed Hinge
When a door drops out of the line, it becomes difficult to close and often catches on the door next to it. If the doors have “set-in” concealed hinges, the offending door can soon be maneuvered back into line.
These hinges are specially made to make them easy to adjust. The hinge mechanism is recessed into the back of the door. The arm attached to these slots into a baseplate on the inside of the cabinet. This arm can be adjusted by loosening the appropriate screw to realign the door. In the following diagrams, the screw to be loosened is indicated by pink shading. Remember to use a screwdriver that matches the hinge screws.
On a door that has slipped down at one corner.
Loosen the screw indicated in the diagram. Move the door back into its correct position by rocking it sideways, then re-tighten the screw.
Repairs to cupboard door Faults on traditional timber doors
A squeaking door may be due to one of two causes. The metal hinges may simply need oiling, or the door may be catching on the frame as it opens and shuts.
Oiling
Use the household oil on the hinge. Hold a cloth under the hinge to catch any drips and apply a drop at a time. Leave the oil to soak in well, then check if this has cured the noise.
If the door still squeaks and the hinge is very stiff, remove it and apply a penetrating oil. Work the hinge until it moves easily and replaces on the door
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