Drawers are an essential form of storage to have in any kitchen. However, wear and tear can cause your drawer slides to operate poorly over time. Knowing what signs of wear to look for is important in recognizing when you need a replacement. Look at the telltale signs you need new kitchen drawer slides.
Slides Are Getting Stuck
One of the most common signs that your kitchen drawer slides are getting worn is when they start to get stuck. Several factors, including dirt or debris in the track, uneven weight distribution in the drawer, misaligned tracks, or general wear and tear over time, can cause this issue. Additionally, some materials, such as wood, may swell and shrink with changes in temperature and humidity, which can cause them to stick as well.
If your slides are sticking more frequently than usual, it’s important to take action right away before they become completely unusable. In some cases, cleaning out any dirt or debris from the tracks and adjusting their alignment can help solve the problem without needing complete replacement. If this doesn’t fix it, lubricating each slide along its entire length should do the trick—using a silicone-based lubricant like WD-40 is usually best for this purpose.
Slides Aren’t Gliding Smoothly
Slides that are no longer gliding smoothly can be a real nuisance, and recognizing the signs of wear and tear is essential to remedy this problem. Slides that start moving slower than usual or make loud screeching noises when opened are two common indicators of trouble. Additionally, if you have difficulty opening the drawer completely or it starts catching on something, it’s likely time for new kitchen drawer slides.
Weight distribution can often be the cause of slides not gliding smoothly. In this case, you’ll want to redistribute the items within your drawer to even the weight. For example, if you have more objects on the left side of the drawer, you will need to shift some items to the right side to remedy the problem. However, replacing your slides is an ideal option if this process does not correct the issue.
Slides Are Rusty
Rust is another common issue for kitchen drawer slides and can cause them to become difficult or even impossible to operate. Signs of rust on your kitchen drawers include discoloration, flaking paint, pitting in the metal surface, and general wear and tear. All these signs indicate that it’s time to act before your slides become unusable.
Several types of rust protection are available for kitchen drawer slides depending on the level of corrosion present. If only minor pitting is visible, then an oil-based lubricant should be sufficient, but if more extensive damage has occurred, a specialized rust inhibitor may be necessary. It’s also important to note that if the rust is too severe to reverse, you should replace your slides with new ones.
Now that you know the common signs you need to replace your kitchen drawer slides, you can take the necessary steps to identify and fix these issues today. The sooner you replace your slides, the sooner you can use your drawers and create a more efficient kitchen space.
