A dresser that won’t close right can be a frustrating problem. It’s very easy to be rough on a dresser drawer, especially when it’s stuffed to the brim with long forgotten knicknacks. Whether it’s a dresser drawer that won’t close or a broken drawer, how to fix a drawer is easy once you know what steps to take and which tools to use. This guide will show you everything from how to fix drawer slides to how to install a drawer bottom replacement.
Inspect The Problem
First things first. It’s important to inspect and evaluate what’s wrong with your dresser drawer. Empty the drawer and remove it for the most thorough inspection. Sometimes the simplest solution for how to fix a drawer is tightening screws, fixing the decorative hardware, or replacing worn out drawer sliders. Remove the drawer by pulling it forward and tipping the front portion of the drawer downward to push the wheel parts off the drawer sliders.
Another common issue with dresser drawers is when they get jammed. This is usually because something is blocking the drawer from the inside, like a large item, that prevents the drawer from opening or closing. This may require some creative thinking like removing drawers above or besides it to move the object.
If a complex repair is needed, here are some tools that may come in handy:
- Drill and/or screwdriver
- 3/16-inch drill bit
- Pliers
- Hammer
- Staple gun
- Staples
- Wood glue
- Clamps
- New sliders (if needed)
- Cleaning rag or paper towels
- Soft brush for brushing off wood debris from a drill
- Safety glasses if cutting any boards with a saw
How to Fix Drawer Slides?
Take the broken drawer out and inspect the gliders or sliders. When you figure out how to fix drawer slides, the most common problem usually is that sliders can become loose or wobbly from overuse.
If the sliders are only wobbling, tighten the screws with a screwdriver.
If the screw hole in the slider is damaged or worn out, look out for an extra hole to place a screw through. If there’s not one, mark a new place to drill a screw through, remove the old screw, and place the new one in the new hole. Using the new hole on the existing slider should keep it firmly in place.
If the slider is completely worn out and there’s no new holes to use, replace it with a new slider.
With a wood dresser drawer, those easily get stuck. Wood against wood doesn’t exactly slide the best without having a slick surface. If your wood dresser drawer won’t slide, give the surface a healthy coating of wax. You could use furniture wax or even a bar of soap to make old wood dresser drawers slide easier.
How to Fix Drawer Bottom and Sides?
The inner panels of a drawer can be more complex when you’re figuring out how to fix a drawer bottom and sides. When you pull it out for inspection, you may notice bulging and gaps on the bottom panel. The quickest fix is to press the panel back into the grooves of the drawer or staple in a new panel. Use clamps to hold the panels down. If it fits, secure it with wood glue all around the drawer panel at the groove before returning the drawer back into the frame.
If the drawer bottom is just warped, you can try the sun drying method. Flatten it on wet grass with the other side exposed to sunlight. There as the sun dries the top side, the board will unwarp itself.
If the bottom is permanently damaged, you will need to buy a drawer bottom replacement or cut new pieces of plywood in the same size as the damaged drawer. Use safety glasses if you’re cutting any wood with a saw. Then staple a new panel or glue in the bottom panel piece into the grooves once they are fitted back in.
How to Fix a Broken Drawer Front?
How to fix a broken drawer front starts with removal. Take out the old screws with a screwdriver or drill. Discard any broken pieces.
Drill new holes into the box frame, not the front piece, to the side of where the old holes are using a 3/16-inch drill bit attached to the drill.
Get rid of any wood debris with a rag, paper towels or soft brush and screw the drawer front back in the drawer box through the new holes with the screws you originally removed.
If old staples are sticking out, remove them with pliers and replace with a staple gun as the drawer is put back together. Wear work gloves to avoid sticking your hands or fingers with old staples.
Need a Hand?
Now that you know how to fix a drawer, you’ll be able to enjoy the ease of opening and closing the dressers again in the comfort of your living room. If you need help from a handyman, Taskers can use their skills and tools to have your drawers fixed in no time.
