Soft close drawers are among the most popular types of drawers that homeowners install nowadays. These drawers are typically safer and quieter than most traditional drawers, which has made them a favorite especially in households with young kids. Still, that doesn’t mean soft close drawers are immune to problems. Here’s how to fix soft close drawers to prevent them from getting stuck or slamming.
Inspect the Drawers
You’ll first have to determine if your soft close drawers are tilting. If they are, figure out which direction they’re leaning. If the drawer is leaning forward, the runners at the back will need to be lowered to realign the drawer. If the drawer is leaning to the side, the runners on the opposing end of the drawer should be adjusted accordingly. If there’s a jam, adjust the slides outwards.
Remove the Drawers
Once you figure out what needs to be adjusted to fix the soft close drawers, the next step is to remove them so you can make the adjustments. Be extra careful when removing the drawer not to damage the lever, the runners, or the body of the drawer. Remove the drawer based on how the runner and drawer slides are constructed in the drawer, pulling and raising the drawer if the runners are located below the cabinet. Pro tip: avoid being too harsh and using excessive force, as that could damage the whole soft close drawer setup.
Adjusting Slides and Tabs in Soft Close Drawers
A common issue with soft close drawers is the dirt and debris that get stuck within the slides. Check for particles in the slides and wipe them clean with a wet cloth before drying. You can also use pressurized air to clean the slides. Also make sure there’s no rust on the slides, as that could impact their performance. If the drawer tilts in any direction, readjust the tabs. The tabs will be found at the bottom of the drawer; they help it slide in and out. Adjusting the tabs will determine how easily the soft close drawer opens and closes. If you need to raise the front of the drawer, pull the adjustment to the back and adjust it forward.
Fixing the Drawer Dampers
The drawer dampers can adjust the tilt of the drawers. To adjust them, simply remove the cabinet box and adjust the tilt tab located behind the cabinet slides. Move the tabs to raise and adjust the drawer to get it at the optimum position.
Fitting the Soft Close Drawers
Slide the drawers in and out with minimal force to see how quietly they close. Continue adjusting and repeating until there is a silent closure and the drawer box is properly aligned. If this still doesn’t work, the issue could be that the tabs and slides are permanently damaged, which means they would need to be replaced.
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