how to fix drawer slides

Cabinet drawers see a lot of activity over the years. Whether they're holding kitchen supplies, hardware tools, or an assortment of random items, drawers bear a great deal of a weight and haphazard use. One day the drawer starts to jam or bind, makes a grinding noise or just plum won't budge. At that point, it's clear that you need to investigate and fix the problem with your drawer slides. It's easy for a misguided slamming of a drawer or general overuse to cause the drawers to stop working properly. Learn about the common problems that break down drawer slides and how to remedy these issues with some easy fixes.

Bent or misshapen sections

After emptying the content of your drawers and carefully removing the drawer itself, examine the slides. If you see any bent or misshapen spots, look at the extent of the damage. Often times, the bend can be smoothed out by re-shaping the slide. First you'll have to carefully remove the slides from the drawer and drawer box. Use pliers to reshape the drawer slides and smooth out any warped areas. Clean and replace the slides, and you should have a functioning drawer again.

Loose screws

Screws can often come loose over time. When drawer slides aren't attached to the sides (or bottom) of your drawer properly, the drawer won't move smoothly anymore. Consider the condition of your drawer slides before pursuing this next step. If they're in good condition and the screws are the sole problem, get some wood glue before re-tightening the screws. Put some wood glue in the whole and tighten the screws for a seamless and secure attachment.

Use cleaner

Drawer slides gather dust and debris just like all the other forgotten crevices in your home. Maybe the drawers aren't sliding in and out as easily as before. If there is no major damage to be discovered, the drawer slides might just need some cleaning. Remove the drawer box and examine the slides. Use a basic cleaning spray and a rag to wipe down the slides and ensure they're clean. Your drawers should be running smoothly after that.

Roller wheels

The roller wheels to the slides are essential for smooth running, especially with soft-closing or self-close drawer slides. If the wheels are just roughed up or mildly damaged, some grease and cleaning should put the wheel back into to normal rolling shape. However if the wheel has been worn down to a more flat edge, or if it's completely broken, you'll need to completely replace your drawer slides. The roller wheels are riveted to the body of the slide and cannot be replaced individually.