Kitchen cupboard door repair required

purplepatch

We've got an integrated fridge freezer and everytime I open the fridge door, it drops about an inch and is impossible to shut unless you push it back in at the top - think it's something to do with the top hinge on the kitchen door (not the fridge door).

Me and DH are totally clueless with DIY so just wondering who I should get to come and fix it - do carpenters fix things like this given that it's probably only the hinge.

Any ideas anyone?

cattie

You only need a handyman to do a job like this, as a carpenter will charge you top rates. Ask around friends & family to see if they can recommend somebody.

First though, have you tried adjusting the screws on the hinges, as sometimes this is all that's needed. Usually there are about 3 screws in these hinges & I'm not certain which are for adjustments of this kind, but believe it is the outside ones rather than the middle one. One screw will drop the door, the other screw should lift it. Hopefully somebody else here can advise on that.

ormus

http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/cupboarddoors.htm

this will give you some idea of how to adjust typical kitchen hinges.

maninthestreet

Sounds like you have a screw lose.

Mikeyorks

maninthestreet wrote: »

Sounds like you have a screw lose.

You missed an 'o' out of that ...... but I think you've identified both possible causes at the same time!;) It's either loose or lost.

OP. Integrated appliance hinges are unlike normal cupboard hinges. They're much more robust, not as adjustable and carry the weight of both doors. If you look at it carefully (before you 'push it back in at the top') - it should be reasonably obvious if the hinge is detaching from a) .. where it's screwed to the appliance or b) where it's screwed to the door.

And, from that, whether screws have just loosened .... or gone awol? If the former .. the right screwdriver should do it irrespective of your DIY competence. If the latter .... suspect a handyman might be preferable. As the screws into the appliance tend to be heavy duty self tappers (but you need to ID the right depth, by taking one out, otherwise risk penetrating the inner skin). And the screws into the cupboard door are usually part obscured by the appliance door.

Useful neighbours (??) .... tend to be useful ... and cheaper than handymen for what should be an easy fix?

purplepatch

maninthestreet wrote: »

Sounds like you have a screw lose.

Lol, now I could have told you that much.

The fridge is in the way of one of the screws, furthest one back, so that's helpful. I'm not sure if it is just a case of tightening as if you look at it from the side, it looks a bit buckled, but I could be wrong.

We have lots of helpful neighbours, not sure how handy they are though. The one I think would be handiest, I don't actually know that well unfortunately. I will look into getting a handyman. Thanks all.

loracan1

Blimey - don't waste money on a handyman before you've had a look yourself wielding a screwdriver!!

On mine there are 2 screws holding the fascia door on at the top and 1 at the bottom - when these are undone, the fascia panel comes off and it's a simple matter to tighten up the hinge that is attached to the unit - it honestly is worth having a look yourself before you pay someone. Dead simple once you've located where the screws are.

purplepatch

loracan1 wrote: »

Blimey - don't waste money on a handyman before you've had a look yourself wielding a screwdriver!!

On mine there are 2 screws holding the fascia door on at the top and 1 at the bottom - when these are undone, the fascia panel comes off and it's a simple matter to tighten up the hinge that is attached to the unit - it honestly is worth having a look yourself before you pay someone. Dead simple once you've located where the screws are.

Lol, I have to say that I have already had DH on a screw tightening mission, but hasn't helped. Like I say, there is a screw at the back that we can't get to without pulling the fridge out and that isn't going to be an easy task. I'll get him to have another look tomorrow.