How do you fix a sagging cabinet door?

Cabinet hinge repair: adjust before you replace

A concealed (Euro) hinge has a cup fitted into the door, an arm, and a mounting plate on the cabinet side. Blum's instructions for its CLIP top hinges set out three adjustments (side, depth and height), each with its own screw and range.

1. Open the door and look. Open the door fully and check each hinge for loose screws, a gap between the arm and the mounting plate, or a cracked part.
2. Tighten loose screws. Tighten any loose mounting screws with a hand screwdriver until they are snug, then close the door to see whether the sag has gone.
3. Adjust the side position. Rotate the front screw on the hinge arm to increase or decrease the door overlay, within plus or minus 2 mm.
4. Adjust the depth. Rotate the rear cam screw to move the door in or out, within plus 3 or minus 2 mm. On older CLIP hinges, loosen the rear screws on all hinges, adjust and retighten.
5. Adjust the height. On a cam mounting plate, rotate the cam screw on the plate, within plus or minus 2 mm. On a plate without a cam, loosen the plate screws, move the door and tighten them again.
6. Close and check. Close the door and check the gaps around it and beside the next door. Adjust every hinge on that door the same way so the door hangs evenly.

Which screw does what

Each adjustment on a CLIP top hinge has its own screw, and Blum's instructions give a range for each. Use this table to find the right screw before you pick up a screwdriver.

Other brands of concealed hinge work in a similar way, but the screw positions and ranges may differ, so check that maker's instructions. On a CLIP top hinge, the front screw moves the door sideways only. If the whole door needs to move up or down, use the height adjustment at the mounting plate.

Taking a door off and refitting it

Blum's instructions say you remove a door from a CLIP top hinge by releasing the lever under the hinge arm. To refit it, place the hinge on the mounting plate and push the back of the hinge arm down with finger pressure. A click confirms the hinge is securely attached.

If the doors belong to a flat-pack wardrobe or cabinet that needs taking apart and rebuilding, rather than a single hinge fix, look at furniture assembly instead.

Stripped screw holes and loose plates

If a screw turns without biting, the hole it sits in is stripped. Stop turning it. Overtightening will not make it grip and can make the damage worse.

The same applies to a mounting plate that still moves after you tighten its screws: adjusting the hinge will not cure the sag.

A handyman can repair the hole or move the mounting plate. If you have other small jobs around the home, add this one to your handyman job list so they can be done in one visit.

Soft-close hinges

Blum's instructions say that on small or light doors, the BLUMOTION soft close can be switched off on one of the hinges with a switch. The door must then be closed once for the change to take effect.

If you are replacing a soft close hinge, match the brand, type and opening angle of the old one.

A new hinge needs the same adjustments as the others. If you are still dealing with kitchen cabinet door sagging after a swap, check that the new hinge matches the rest, then run through the side, depth and height settings again.

When to stop and call a professional

HDB says fixtures and fittings such as hinges wear out over time, and that under the Lease Agreement, home owners maintain the flat's interior, including the fixtures and fittings installed.

Call a handyman when:

• the cabinet side panel is swollen or cracked
• the hinge cup has pulled out of the door
• many doors need work

The price depends on the job, so compare handyman rates and ask whether a quote includes any replacement hinges. If other doors in your home need work too, see door and window repair. Going through some questions to ask before hiring a handyman also helps you get a clear quote.

Questions