Misaligned, damaged, or loose drawer slides enable the drawer to slide back open after closing. Replacing or repairing the slides of the drawer will keep it close after you shut it. Fixing this issue is not expensive and takes a few minutes. All you need to do first is to pull out the drawer of the cabinet and investigate slides. As we all know, this issue can be the most annoying thing when your drawer insists on opening by itself without any explanation. So how to prevent drawers from sliding open? The foremost step will be to determine the weight in the drawer.
If there are many heavy items at the front, a shift in things may be your answer to the creeping drawer issue. If it fails, you may require adjusting slides. It is a simple task and can be completed effortlessly as a DIY project. The last thing you want to do is replace the drawer entirely or replace the entire cabinet. Here, we will explain steps to prevent drawers from sliding open, along with some causes of the creeping drawer.
Examine Why Drawers Sliding Open
For getting the root of the opening of the drawer, you have to do a little inspection. Remove the drawer from cabinetry and rails. Check for loose items that have found a way from the drawer’s interior to rails or trucks. Whenever a drawer slides open by itself, it may be because of a loose railing, warped housing, or other structural problem.
Go over rails on the side or beneath the drawer to find any misshapen sliders, loose screws, or other issues with the cabinet. But it can be challenging to see in the housing of the drawer. Utilize a flashlight and run along with a narrow bristle brush down in the drawer’s interior with siding and rails. Remove the object that does not pinpoint and belong to issues to be addressed.
Some Preparations To Be Done Before Fixing Drawer
The fast cleaning of the interior and exterior of the drawer cabinet can often fix simple problems. Utilize a cleaning solution for wiping the facade and surface of the wayward drawer. Utilize a soft nylon brush or toothbrush for getting into crannies and nooks of rails and moving parts.
Ensure to remove grimy buildup or grease around mechanical drawer parts. Crumbs of food and small broken bits of drawer contents can fall into wheels, rails, and screws while creating an issue with its closing. It is a reasonably effective way to fix a drawer that opens up itself.
Few Things You Will Require
- Drill
- Screws
- Pliers
- Screwdriver
- Wood glue
- Drawer slides
Steps To Follow One By One For Drawer Sliding Open Fixing
Fixing this sliding open is inexpensive and takes some minutes to do –
- Step 1: Pull Out Drawer
Pull out a drawer of the cabinet and inspect drawer slides. Replace missing screws by adding new screws and tightening them with a screwdriver.
- Step 2: Drill Pilot Holes Close To Location
Drill pilot holes close to the location of old screws by using a drill if the holes appear enlarged or damaged. Remove old screws and apply some wood glue to every screw. Add them in new holes and tighten them with a screwdriver.
- Step 3: Remove Damaged Or Bent Slides
Remove damaged or bent slides by eliminating all screws with a screwdriver. Bend bent slides with a pair of pliers or replace slides. Buy drawer slides that are similar to existing slides. Place new slides in place of old slides and secure them with screws.
- Step 4: Place Drawer And Adjust Slide
Place the drawer in the opening of the cabinet and open/close it. Adjust the slide, if necessary.
Now you have to pull out the drawer from the opening of the drawer and set it on a work surface.
- Step 5: Hold Slides In Correct Position
Hold slides in the correct position along the drawer sides and interior of the cabinet opening and tighten loose screws by using a screwdriver.
- Step 6: Align Magnetic Portion
Align the magnetic portion of the magnetic catch in the center of the top edge of the cabinet opening.
Other Tips
In addition to using drawer stops, there are a few other tips you can follow to prevent drawers from sliding open. First, make sure the tracks and rollers are clean and free of debris. This can help the drawer slide more smoothly and stay in place. You can also try adding a small amount of lubricant to the tracks to reduce friction. Another tip is to add weight to the bottom of the drawer. This can be done by placing heavier items in the bottom of the drawer or by attaching a small weight to the back of the drawer.
Final Words
By following these tips and using the appropriate drawer stops, you can prevent your drawers from sliding open and keep your furniture in good condition. Whether you have a modern dresser or an antique piece, there are solutions available to keep your drawers in place. Have you tried any of these methods? Let us know in the comments.