Understanding how to maintain my cabinets and how to identify is an issue is considered warrantable.
Warranty Expectations
What’s Covered: Warped cabinet doors or drawers exceeding 1/4 inch. Gaps between cabinets and adjacent walls or ceilings exceeding 1/4 inch. Doors that won’t stay closed due to hardware issues. Soft-close or self-closing hinges and drawer slides that are not working properly.
What to Expect: Minor color variations are natural in wood and veneers. Humidity changes can cause temporary expansion or contraction of materials, which may result in small gaps or movement.
How We’ll Help: We’ll adjust or replace malfunctioning cabinet components one time during the warranty period. We’ll correct warping or gaps that exceed performance standards. Color variation between adjacent cabinets is not covered, as this is considered a natural characteristic of the materials.
How You Can Help: Maintain consistent humidity levels in your home to help preserve cabinet alignment and reduce shifting. Use cabinet doors and drawers gently and clean with non-abrasive cleaners to maintain finishes.
Maintenance Steps
These small steps go a long way toward keeping your cabinets in tip-top shape:
- Clean Regularly: A quick wipe-down with a soft, damp cloth and mild soap (or a wood-safe cleaner) is all it takes to keep dust, grease, and crumbs at bay.
- Dry Right Away: Moisture and cabinets are not best friends. After cleaning, use a dry cloth to wipe away any leftover water. This helps prevent warping or fading over time. [Link to Humidifier Article]
- Use Gentle Products: Stick with cleaners that are kind to your cabinets, nothing acidic or abrasive. The goal is to clean without scratching or stripping the finish.
- Be Gentle: No need for slamming or tugging, opening and closing doors softly keeps hinges and handles happy and your cabinets lasting longer.
- Keep an Eye Out for Leaks: If your cabinets are near a sink or any plumbing, do a quick check every so often for leaks. Catching a drip early can save you a major headache later! [Link to Plumbing Article]
- Line Your Shelves and Drawers: Liners are like little shields; they help protect against stains, moisture, and scratches. Bonus: they make cleanups easier, too!
- Don’t Overload: Cabinets are strong, but not invincible. Avoid loading too many heavy items inside, especially in drawers and upper shelves.