Home inspectors come across several common kitchen problems during inspections; these problems can be a nuisance faced by homeowners daily. If you’re a homeowner, you know that a kitchen can be one of the most troublesome areas in a house. We’ll cover common kitchen problems and their fixes, from appliances to plumbing, to help keep your kitchens in tip-top shape.

Microwave Turntable Stops Spinning

If your microwave turntable has stopped spinning, don’t despair! There are a few easy ways to get it going again. If the glass plate support is broken or stripped out, replace it with a new one. If the problem persists, try cleaning the turntable motor with a soft cloth and soapy water. If that doesn’t work, you may need to check the drive bushing. 

Drawers Not Sliding Smoothly

If you have a drawer that’s hard to open, there are a few possible causes. The most common is that the drawer slides are dirty or misaligned. To clean them, remove the drawer and use a brush or vacuum attachment to clean out any dirt and debris. Then realign the slides according to the manufacturer’s instructions and try opening and closing the drawer again. If it still sticks, you may need to replace the slides. 

Smelly Drains

If you’re dealing with smelly drains or a dirty smell coming from your drains, a simple DIY fix can help. Just mix some lemon juice and baking soda and let the concoction sit in your drain for at least 20 minutes before rinsing away with boiled water. The acidity of the lemon juice will help break down any build-up in your drains, while the baking soda will neutralize odors. If the problem persists, you may need to call a plumber to check for more severe issues.

Leaky Faucets

There are many reasons to fix a dripping or leaky faucet as soon as possible. For one, it can help save water – a vital resource. Second, it can help prevent damage to your home. Dripping or leaky faucets can trigger the growth of mold or mildew and lead to damage to wood. So, how do you fix a dripping or leaky faucet?

Tightening a loose screw or replacing a worn-out washer is usually simple. However, if the problem is more serious, you may need to replace the entire faucet. If you need help fixing a particular issue with your tap, plenty of resources are available online and in hardware stores that can help. With a bit of time and effort, you can usually fix a dripping or leaky faucet and avoid the expensive repairs that may be necessary if the problem is unchecked.

Chipped Tiles

There are ways that you can go about fixing a chipped tile, depending on the severity of the chip. If you have a chipped tile in your kitchen, throwing a rug over it might seem like a quick fix, but there are simpler ways to fix the chip permanently. There are ways that you can go about fixing a chipped tile, depending on the severity of the chip.  If the chip is small and doesn’t go all the way through the tile, you can use a porcelain glaze to fix it. This will match the color of the tile and make the chip less visible. If the chip is larger or goes through the tile, you may need to replace the tile altogether. In either case, you’ll want to make sure that you clean the area around the chipped tile before doing any repair work. This will help ensure that dirt and grime don’t accumulate in the area and make the repair job more difficult.

Range Hood Does Not Clear Smoke

If your range hood isn’t clearing smoke, you can check a few things to try and troubleshoot the issue. First, ensure the fan is turned on and set to the correct speed. The smoke will only be cleared if it’s on or set properly. Next, check the filters. If they’re dirty, they won’t be able to do their job correctly, and the smoke will recirculate back into the kitchen. Clean or replace the filters as needed. Finally, ensure that the ductwork from the range hood to the outside is clear. If it’s blocked, the smoke will have nowhere to go and keep recirculating. If you’ve checked all these things and your range hood isn’t clearing smoke effectively, you may need to have it serviced or replaced. In a case such as this, we recommend working with a professional such as our Premier Partner, Best Service Company Appliance Repair. Learn more by visiting the website or call (720) 230-3998.

Loose Cabinet Doors

If your cabinet doors are loose, check the screws. If they are loose, tighten them with a screwdriver. If the screws are tight, but the doors are still loose, you may need to add some new screws. If your cabinet doors are made of wood, you can tighten them by adding wood glue to the joints. Just apply a small amount of glue to the joint and then use a clamp to hold it in place while it dries. Once the glue is dry, the joint should be much stronger, and the door should be more secure. 

If your cabinet doors are made of metal, you can fix them by welding the joints. This is a more permanent solution, but it will require specialized equipment or professional help.

In most cases, loose cabinet doors can be fixed relatively easily. Just look at the problem and see what kind of material the door is made of. With a little effort, you should be able to get your doors back in good working order in no time!

We hope you find the information we shared helpful!  Keep in mind that Axium has a list of premiere partners that may be able to offer a fix to any issues with your home.  Visit our list of partners today at www.axiuminspections.com/premier-partners/ for more information.