Cabinet work we take
- Doors that sag, rub or will not close rehung and adjusted
- Butt, semi-concealed and European hinges replaced or matched
- Stripped hinge holes repaired with glued wood plugs
- Wood drawer runners rebuilt and metal slides replaced
- Magnetic and roller catches replaced
- Child-safe and earthquake latches added inside doors
Cabinets in older San Gabriel kitchens
San Gabriel’s Housing Element preliminary report found 52.3 percent of homes are more than 60 years old. Many of those kitchens still have site-built cabinets with inset or lipped doors on small surface or butt hinges, and wooden drawers riding on wooden runners. Those parts can still be repaired, and doing so keeps a kitchen’s original character.
The City’s Housing Element environmental study notes that “San Gabriel is mainly affected by ground shaking,” with the Raymond Fault about two miles north. Cabinet doors that swing open in shaking spill dishes onto the floor. Positive-catch latches inside the doors keep them closed and open with a simple press.
How we repair cabinets
Diagnose door by door
We open each problem door and drawer, look at the hinge type, the screw holes and the runner wear, and decide whether it needs adjusting, re-fastening or a new part.
Fix the wood behind the hardware
Stripped holes get glued hardwood plugs and fresh pilot holes. Worn wooden runners get new hardwood strips or wax, and loose drawer joints are reglued and clamped.
Align and add latches
Doors are adjusted so gaps line up, and any latches you want are mounted inside, out of sight. We test every door and drawer before leaving.
What goes to a cabinet shop
We repair what you have. New cabinets, new matching doors, refacing, or countertop work goes to a cabinet shop or remodeler.
Photos that help
Photos of the problem doors and drawers open, a close-up of a hinge, and a count of how many need work.
Cabinet questions
Do you replace knobs and pulls too?
Yes. New knobs and pulls can go on during the same visit; if the new pulls have a different hole spacing, we fill and touch up the old holes.
My drawer front came loose. Is that a quick fix?
Usually. The front is screwed from inside the box, and those screws loosen. We refasten it with new screws or glue blocks and realign it with its neighbors.
Can you add soft-close to old cabinets?
On many face-frame and European hinges, yes, with clip-on dampers or soft-close hinges of the same type. Older surface hinges can take a separate door damper.
Can old inset cabinet doors be fixed?
Yes. Inset doors need tight, even gaps. We plane or shim where needed and replace worn hinges with ones that match the mounting.
What latch works best for earthquakes?
A positive-catch latch that holds the door until you press it open. They mount inside the cabinet and are hard to see when the door is closed.
Can drawers on wooden runners slide smoother?
Yes. Rebuilding the runner and waxing it often does it. If the drawer box is solid, we can also fit metal slides.
Will my cabinet doors match after repair?
They are the same doors, so yes. We touch up screw holes we move, but refinishing is not part of a repair visit.
Can you fix a cabinet that has pulled from the wall?
If the box is sound, we refasten it into studs and level it. A water-damaged box goes to a cabinet shop.
Related guides for San Gabriel homes
- Cabinet doors that sag, stick or will not closeHow we fix sagging, sticking and loose cabinet doors in older San Gabriel kitchens, from site-built wood cabinets to later replacements.
- Keeping dishes and furniture in place during an earthquakeHow to keep dishes, glassware and tall furniture in place during an earthquake in an older San Gabriel home, from cabinet latches to wall straps.
We’re a handyman in San Gabriel for small repairs like this one, with an upfront price by text.
This job sits in our doors, cabinets and hardware group. For other repairs, see the services overview, or start with the repair guide for San Gabriel’s older homes.