Cabinet Repairs to Make Before Refinishing or Refacing

A fresh cabinet finish can make a kitchen feel new, but it cannot hide a problem underneath. A door that sags, a drawer that sticks or a sink cabinet with a slow leak will still be there after the makeover, and some problems can damage new work if they are left alone. These are the cabinet repairs to make first.

Here are the common cabinet issues to look for before you refinish or reface, which ones you can handle yourself, and which ones change the type of makeover you need.

Why cabinet repairs come first

Refinishing and refacing both keep your existing cabinet boxes. Refinishing also keeps your doors and drawer fronts and changes their colour and finish. Refacing replaces the doors and drawer fronts with new ones. Either way, the boxes are the foundation of the finished kitchen.

If that foundation has a problem, the new finish sits on top of it. Fixing issues first means your new cabinets look good and work properly for years, instead of showing the same old faults in a new colour.

Leaks and water damage under the sink

Start with the sink cabinet. It is the most common place for hidden damage, because small drips from supply lines, drains or the dishwasher connection can go unnoticed for a long time.

• Look for staining, bubbling or a soft, spongy floor in the sink base.
• Check for a musty smell or dark marks along the back panel.
• Run the tap and dishwasher, then check for fresh drips with a flashlight.

If you find an active leak, call a licensed plumber before anything else. We do not do plumbing work, and no cabinet finish will last in a cabinet that keeps getting wet. Once the leak is fixed, give the area time to dry out fully. A water-damaged cabinet floor may need to be repaired or replaced before a makeover. During your quote visit, our estimator will look at the box and talk through what makes sense.

Swollen or damaged doors

Doors near the sink, dishwasher and kettle take the most moisture. On MDF and some engineered doors, water can soak into the edges and make them swell, bubble or crumble. Swelling does not go back down once it has happened.

This is one of the clearest signs that refinishing is not the right fit for those doors. A new coating cannot rebuild a swollen edge. Cabinet refacing replaces the doors and drawer fronts with brand-new ones while keeping your existing cabinet boxes, with the frames finished to match. It is a good choice when doors are swelling or damaged, or when you want a different door style. New doors come with a written 5-year warranty.

Hinges, drawers and loose joints

Hardware problems are often the easiest to fix, and many are simple DIY jobs.

Sagging or misaligned doors

Most modern concealed hinges have small adjustment screws that move the door up, down, in or out. A few turns with a screwdriver can often straighten a crooked door. If a screw spins without tightening, the hole may be stripped and will need to be filled and re-drilled before the hinge will hold.

Sticking or dropping drawers

Check that drawer slides are screwed in tightly and not bent. Remove crumbs and debris from the tracks. A drawer that drops when opened, or one with a loose front, usually needs its slides or fasteners tightened or replaced.

Loose joints and face frames

Over the years, cabinet joints can loosen and face frames can start to separate from the boxes. Gaps at corners, wobbling boxes or frames that move when you push on them all need attention before a new finish goes on.

Grease, residue and old finishes

Not every problem is structural. Cabinets near the stove often carry a layer of cooking grease that you only notice when you wipe a cloth across them. Peeling or flaking areas show where the old finish has already let go.

On a professional refinishing project, this is part of the preparation. With our cabinet refinishing, doors and drawer fronts are removed and taken to our shop, prepared and sprayed with an industrial two-component coating, then bake-cured. The frames are prepared and finished in your home. You do not need to strip or sand anything before we arrive, but it helps to point out any areas that bother you during the quote.

What to fix yourself and what to leave for the quote

A simple way to sort your list:

1. Fix now: active leaks (with a licensed plumber), loose hinge screws, dirty drawer tracks and anything that is a safety issue.
2. Note for the quote: swollen doors, water-damaged sink bases, loose face frames and peeling finish. These affect whether refinishing or refacing is the better fit.
3. Think about upgrades: if a cabinet has never worked well for you, a makeover is a good time to change it.

On that last point, a sink cabinet that has been repaired after a leak is a good place for custom under-sink organizers and pull-outs. Organizers can be added on their own or with a refinish or reface.

Getting an honest assessment

It can be hard to tell whether a problem is cosmetic or something deeper. An estimator can tell you what needs attention first and which makeover option suits your kitchen.

When you are ready, book a free in-home quote. We will check your doors, drawers and boxes, recommend refinishing or refacing, and give you clear, line-item pricing.

Frequently asked questions

Can swollen cabinet doors be refinished?

Usually not. Once an MDF or engineered door has swollen from water, a new finish cannot bring the edge back to its original shape. Refacing with brand-new doors and drawer fronts is usually the better option.

Should I fix a leak under my sink before a cabinet makeover?

Yes. Have a licensed plumber fix the leak first and let the cabinet dry out completely. A new finish will not last in a cabinet that keeps getting wet, and a damaged cabinet floor may need repair before the makeover.

Do I need to sand or clean my cabinets before a professional refinish?

No. Cleaning and surface preparation are part of a professional refinishing project. It does help to point out any problem areas during your quote visit, so they can be planned for.