If you have ever used a soft close drawer, then you know that they are an absolute game-changer when it comes to your kitchen organization. They help prevent the slamming of drawers, and they also make it easier for kids to do their dishes.
There’s nothing worse than having a busy day at work only to come home and discover that one of your drawers has stopped working properly – especially when they tend to cost so much money. But don’t worry even though this problem might sound very complicated, it isn’t!
Many people have been able to fix their soft-close drawers. So why not give it a shot today and save yourself the hassle (and money) in the long run!
That is where this blog post will come in handy! We will show you how to fix any type of problem with your soft-close drawer so that all can enjoy its benefits once again!
What is a soft close drawer?
A soft-close drawer is a type of kitchen drawer which uses gravity to slowly shut on its own after it has been opened. This makes them “soft” closers, meaning that they do not slam or make an excessive amount of noise when closing! They are great for young children who have just started doing their dishes independently because there won’t be any loud noises to startle them.
Why won’t my soft-close drawer close?
There are a few reasons why this might be happening, and all of them can easily be fixed.
- Another drawer is open: Soft-close drawers will not shut on their own if another drawer is open in the same cabinet. If your soft-close drawer isn’t closing because an adjacent one is still open, just make sure that those drawers stay closed as well!
- One or more soft-close components has failed: A soft-close component failure usually happens when something gets stuck between the track and the wheel mechanism – which causes it to stop spinning correctly. This means that either there was too much weight for it to properly lift (causing it to slip out of place) or too little weight causing it to jam completely.
- Hardware is loose: Sometimes the screws on your soft close drawer hardware will fall out over time, leaving them with a very minimal grip. This means that they cannot properly lift and down as needed! To fix this issue, just tighten those screws back into place so that everything can work how it should once again.
Drawer Adjustment
If none of the issues above is your problem, then it is very likely that you might need to adjust the height of your drawer. This will usually happen if you have recently installed new soft-close hardware or two other drawers which were previously adjusted no longer line up with one another!
To get your drawer working properly, there are a few steps that you might have to take. Your first step should be to check and make sure that the drawer in question is not near any other drawers and is open and closed all the way (to make sure it’s not interfering with anything). Next, make sure that none of the screws on the hinges or sides are loosened.
If they are, tighten them back up. If they’re still not closing correctly, try adjusting the rollers higher or lower until they’re hanging at the perfect height for the weight (and then once again tighten everything up if needed).
Why does my drawer keep opening?
If your drawer keeps opening on its own, likely, there is not enough weight inside of the cabinet. This means that gravity will get a hold of the soft-close mechanism and pull it back down into place – causing the drawer to open again! The best way to fix this problem would be by adding more items for it to gain some extra weight (which should keep everything shut).
The drawer may be overtightened so loosen the screw by turning it counterclockwise. The other reason is the hinges are broken. Replace the screws or repair the hinges with glue or wire.
How to repair a broken soft-close drawer?
If the screws are loose, tighten them with a screwdriver. If there is something stuck in between the two wheels or track, then remove it by hand as carefully as possible. Sometimes you may have to adjust the height of your rollers if they’re too high or low which can be done with an Allen wrench and vice grips!
How do soft-close drawer slides work?
There are a few different ways that soft-close drawer slides work.
- The first type is the spring-loaded roller system, which will be mounted to the top of your cabinet and connected with two guide rails below it – one on each side of the drawer. The outside part (or “runner”) of this slide has rollers at both ends so that it can easily move back and forth without catching or getting stuck in any way! This allows you to open and close your drawers slowly but also keep them closed when they’re not being used by gravity alone.
- The second option would be ball bearing hardware, which uses metal balls instead of plastic ones like its counterpart above does. These tend to make more noise than their counterparts while also being more durable and less likely to jam up.
How to fix a soft close drawer mechanism?
- If your drawer is not opening or closing properly, make sure that all of the screws are tightened up and try adjusting it higher or lower (if needed).
- Make sure there isn’t too much weight inside the cabinet so that gravity can keep everything shut. Add a few items to fix this issue!
- Check for loose hardware which might cause one side to move more than another – causing them both to be uneven. Tighten any loosened screws if they’re present!
When you start facing these issues with soft close drawers then you should contact an expert who will help in fixing those problems by providing professional advice after checking out what type of problem you have got.
Inspect Soft Close Mechanism
- Inspect the soft close hardware to see if it is in good condition. If not, you may need to replace some of its parts.
- Check for loose screws or bolts that could be causing issues with your drawer’s ability to stay closed and soothe itself softly when put under pressure.
- Look for any signs of rusting on metal components—if you find any, then they must be replaced immediately as even a small amount can cause an issue over time.
Fix the Alignment
- If the drawer is not closing smoothly, then you need to inspect if it’s tilted. To do that, hold a ruler against its edge and measure how much space there is between both ends of the tool at an equal distance from each other.
- You can also fix this by adding shims behind one end until they are level with each other. Make sure no shim exceeds two inches in height as any higher will risk damaging your cabinet itself or could even make matters worse for yourself!
- Alternatively, you can remove some screws on either side so that way when put back into place, everything aligns properly once again without too much pressure being applied onto just one part.
Clean the Slides
- You can use an old toothbrush to clean out all the dirt and dust that might have accumulated on your drawer slides over time.
- Some of them are even made with materials like Teflon, so before you start using any harsh chemicals against it make sure to do some research first as they could damage or ruin its surface instead if used excessively.
- If there is some lubricant involved in this process, be very careful not to apply too much otherwise you will end up having issues closing your drawers once again—and we certainly don’t want that!
Can you put soft close hinges on old drawers?
You can put soft close hinges on old drawers if they are in good condition. If the slides of your drawer aren’t accelerating smoothly then you need to replace them because even a small amount of rust will lead to damage over time!
Make sure not to use too much oil otherwise, there could be issues while closing or opening your actual drawer! Save yourself some trouble by contacting someone as soon as possible before things start becoming even more complicated.
Conclusion
The Soft Close Drawers are a must-have for any kitchen or bathroom because they ensure that you don’t have to worry about slamming your fingers in the door when trying to shut it.
You should always inspect your soft close drawers and make sure that everything is working appropriately.
Ensure the drawer is not hitting a wall or obstruction before installing new latches and adjusting its position in the cabinet.
Determine if it’s possible that the screws were installed too short and won’t allow for maximum adjustment of your drawer front/door; replace these with longer screws as needed. If all else fails, try adding small washers behind the screwheads to give them extra depth (you can buy custom-sized spacers at hardware stores).
If you notice any problems, it’s time to get in touch with a company that can provide the best advice for fixing those issues so that you don’t have to worry about them getting worse over time! Save yourself some trouble by contacting someone as soon as possible before things start becoming even more complicated than they already are – which will save you money on repairs down the line.
