Cabinet Door Keeps Popping Open? Here's What You Can Do

For many, cabinet doors are among the most frequently used components of a kitchen or bathroom. With such frequent use comes wear and tear, so you may find it beneficial to know how to repair your cabinets when they stop functioning properly. This wear and tear often leads to damage that causes cabinet doors to pop open. This can be a frustrating issue that leaves your stored items exposed. Leaving the problem unsolved can actually result in even more damage, as it can create stress on the hinges, so it is important to tackle the repair as soon as possible.

If you are dealing with cabinet doors that refuse to close, there may be no need to start searching for replacement cabinets. If you are willing to take on a DIY project, you might not even need to call a professional because this repair could be easier than you think. As with most repairs, your first step is to identify the cause of the problem. What exactly is preventing the cabinet doors from closing? Common causes include broken or loose hinges and wood damage. Once you know exactly why your cabinet doors are not cooperating, you can move forward with the repair.

A thorough examination of the problem cabinet door is the first step to determining why it refuses to remain closed. Inspect the cabinet door and its hinges to check for signs of damage. Start by slowly opening and closing the door to check for what could be preventing it from remaining closed completely. Look at the hinges to see if you can identify whether they are causing the problem. Are any of the hinges loose or misaligned? Next, check the door for signs of water damage. If your cabinet doors are made of wood they can swell when wet. This may alter the size of the doors and prevent them from closing properly.

You may even need to remove the cabinet door to get a closer look. When removing the door, start by unscrewing the screws located on the bottom half of the hinges to ensure the weight of the door does not pull on the bottom screws. Next, remove the screws located on the top half of the hinges. You will need to have someone help you hold the cabinet door upright while you remove the final screw so that it does not topple over and further damage the door or screw. You may also find it useful to place the screws in labeled bags so that you know exactly where they will need to be reinstalled.

After identifying why your cabinet door keeps popping open, you should have enough information to know what type of repair you need to complete. If the door does not close properly because it overlaps, you will likely need to adjust the hinges. To do this, turn the screw closest to the cabinet door opening counter-clockwise so that you can adjust the door slightly until it is no longer overlapping. To eliminate a gap that may be preventing your cabinet door from closing, simply turn the hinge's screw clockwise and adjust the door until it shuts completely.

If you discovered that your pesky cabinet door problem is due to loose hinges, attempt to tighten the loose screws in the hinges with the appropriate screwdriver. If this does not solve the problem, the hinges or screws may be too damaged to save. In this case, you'll need to purchase replacements. If water-damaged wood is the source of your problem, it may also be best to simply replace the door as it may not be a quick fix depending on the extent of the issue. Additionally, water-damaged wood could indicate a more serious problem, such as a leaky pipe, that may need to be addressed by a professional.