So last night my wife noticed that the upper kitchen cabinets were beginning to pull away from the wall. After emptying the cabinets, we noticed that it's not as simple as just shooting some more screws into the studs, but the cabinets themselves are beginning to separate. The cabinet backing is pulled out of the vertical portions, and when looking down the wall I noticed that they seem warped and no longer even/plumb.


(This is an example of what's happening.)

These cabinets are the original (11yrs) builder grade oak cabinets, with a honey brown finish. I would prefer not to spend thousands just to start a kitchen remodel with all new cabinets, but instead either repair the current ones (if possible) or get similar replacements for now. If new cabinets are not much more expensive, then we would entertain upgrading.

We currently live in Spring and are looking for recommendations on cabinet installers or Lowes/Home Depot references. Any help would be appreciated.

If those were my cabinets, I would pull them down, inspect them and see if I could reglue them. Probably particle board. You can sand off the old glue and reglue and see if you can get any fasteners to help hold it together.

Either way, you need to take a section down and inspect it and see if you can implement a fix.

If glue won't hold them get some 90 degree metal brackets and just screw one side to the wall and the other side to the cabinet top or bottom to hold them together. Might be a bit ugly inside, but outside won't show.

Not a bad idea Dubi. Instead of taking them down and regluing, you could take some 90 Degree brackets attach securely to the top where its coming undone. Then (I'm still assuming particle board), you could bolt the bracket to the top of the cabinet with a washer (sandwich the top of the cabinet between a washer and the bracket with a bolt). Then get some big screws and screw through the bracket, the back panel, and into a stud. Pick up on the cabinet when you are screwing into the stud, and the whole thing will level itself out. Just a thought.

I get some pictures uploaded when I get back home, as work is blocking my photobucket account.

The bracket method sounds like a good idea, and I will probably give it a try, but I am having trouble even getting the cabinets back against the wall with my body weight. They seemed to be warped badly enough the it looks like that is what cause them to separate to begin with.

If they're warped badly you likely have water somewhere that is causing the issue. Wood doesn't just warp for no reason.

Are there any potential sources of water near the area you are seeing the issue? This could include pipes from a second floor, sink, dishwasher, fridge, etc.

I don't think that is water. Just crappy poor quality cheapo workmanship.

The bracket idea sounds pretty good, cheap, easy to do, and could be pretty discreet. Find the studs, bolt through the top of the cabinet.

Check the bottom connections too, since that is holding most of the weight.

I think you have very poorly installed EXTREMELY crappy cabinets.

Honestly look like you just need to demo and put in new cabinets.

Those cabinets are dollar store grade. They are an insult to builder-grade cabinets everywhere

Yeah, after seeing the pictures, I agree with the above. Those are not water damaged, just very low quality and poorly installed.

New kitchen time. Your wife will be happy.

So any recommendations on cabinet installers around the Spring area? I not sure if we will be in the house for more than a couple years, so I really don't want to go full custom on a dream kitchen. Really just looking for a good cost efficient replacements.

There is a store near Fry's on I45 North called Durastone. They have in stock real 3/4" plywood cabinets so you can demo and reinstall the same weekend.

We used their cabinets for a bathroom remodel and were very happy. Cabinets are boxed flat, but they will assemble them for free......LET THEM! Ask for a contractor discount.

9815 North FwyHouston, TX 77037-1346
Tel: (281) 447-9997
Fax: (281) 447-9996

I had a particle board dresser and chest of drawers with slightly better build quality. I swear, after moving it 3 times, I had the greatest feeling dropping it off the 2nd floor balcony and watching it crumble. Get rid of that crap and start over.

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So any recommendations on cabinet installers around the Spring area? I not sure if we will be in the house for more than a couple years, so I really don't want to go full custom on a dream kitchen. Really just looking for a good cost efficient replacements.

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OMG your kitchen looks like mine. I think we even have the same stove. I like my stove! I will check my cabinets as well.

They're crap cabinets. I had the same ones in my first place that was built in 2001. 3 years later they were already doing what yours are, only not as bad yet.

I know a fantastic cabinet installer in B/CS who does weekend work.

Perhaps he can come install your cabinets? Email in profile if you are interested.

What about IKEA for a DIY project?

I'm installing J&K Cabinets in my house right now (50% done to date). I found them online and decided to go that route over Lowe's/HD/etc. Very impressed with the quality and build. If you can find a J&K dealer/distributor in Houston I'd recommend them.

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So any recommendations on cabinet installers around the Spring area? I not sure if we will be in the house for more than a couple years, so I really don't want to go full custom on a dream kitchen. Really just looking for a good cost efficient replacements.

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In the cabinet world, they are either good or they are cost efficient. Not both.

FYI- Home Depot quoted me $14,000 for 40 total feet of Kraftmaid cabinets. I'm ordering from CliqStudios in a few days and the cost will be about half of HD.

Is the $14,000 just materials?

We have 36' of Kraftmaid cabinets from Home Depot and discovered huge price variances in colors, door styles crown moulding, etc. We had quotes from $7k to $12k with the exact same layout.

So we went with plain door fronts and plain crown moulding and had the cabinets delivered for $7k + tax. Then we hired a friend who was a cabinet installer in a prior life to install them for $500 one weekend.

We are very pleased with the quality after 4 years.

We pulled all the cabinets down the other night, and some were barely held together. The doors are still in good shape, and actually seem to be of decent quality. We are going to look around this weekend at some of the places recommended and try and find some boxes with similar finishes. If none can be found, then we will get some unfinished cabinets and the wife will finally get her excuse to start refinishing all the cabinets.

Who was your builder? We just noticed ours doing the same. Also in Spring with a 10 year old home.

Looks like we have the same Floorplan according to the small windows, Pulte?

I'm not sure. Would have to look and see if it's in some of the house documents. We moved into this house 2 yrs ago.

Edit: just looked up our neighborhood info and it looks like either Pulte or J Patrick homes.

It would probably show up with your appraisal district as the builder likely owned the lot prior to building.

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What about IKEA for a DIY project?

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We are using IKEA for our remodel. They are much better product than they get credit for, and they are universal to the entire IKEA line, so you can change out doors and drawer fronts if you want to update them later on. The IKEA wall cabinets are installed using a hanger rail system, which makes installation super easy. Just mount the rail and hang the cabinets.

They are not, however, inexpensive. I spent $300 yesterday on a single 30" w X 40" h wall cabinet.