Telltale Signs Your Kitchen Cabinets Need Replacement
The same way your used appliances constantly require repairs and new parts to run efficiently, your kitchen cabinets may also need replacement after years of use. Most of them, particularly wood kitchen cabinets, will start to show signs of aging after extensive use and constant exposure to steam, water, or other elements.
While it's possible to restore and resurface them, they will need replacement sooner than later. So, getting new ones makes sense instead of constantly paying for repairs. Here are telltale signs it's time to replace the cabinets in your kitchen.
Noticeable Dents and Scratches
If cabinets have visible cracks, scratches, or dents, their appearance will be affected drastically. These flaws are an eyesore and reflect poorly on the residence. Defects that aren't deep can be resurfaced to restore the cabinets to their original looks. However, extensive damages like deep gorges cannot be repaired, so it is better to get new cabinets.
Water Damage
Although wood is a popular material for making cabinets, it can easily be damaged by moisture. This is why homeowners must explore preventative measures to prevent moisture-related issues. When your cabinets absorb water, they will swell, and the wood may warp, making it hard to close them properly.
If the wooden material feels squishy or soft, it means the cabinets are damaged and aren't structurally sound. Bubbling, delamination, and dark color spots are also signs of water damage. Once you come across the source of water leakage and stop it, you should dry out the cabinets to determine the extent of the damage. Sometimes damages can be repairable but if that's not possible, replace them.
Mold Damage
Water leaks and excessive amounts of steam can cause mold growth in and on the cabinets. In case you aren't keen, the problem can affect a significant number of cabinets. This will impact the well-being of your loved ones and ruin the cabinets.
When you catch the problem earlier on, you can clean the mold away and dry them. This will restore the cabinets to their original condition. However, if the mold issue isn't identified quickly and continues to grow, the integrity of the cabinet will be affected.
Even your family's health condition will not be spared either. For instance, exposure to mold spores can lead to allergic symptoms. This includes a runny nose, constant sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, fatigue, breathing challenges, wheezing, and headache. If the expert confirms that you cannot repair mold damage on the cabinets, you will have no option but to replace them.
Contact a remodeling contractor to help you identify what your kitchen cabinets need.