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For a kitchen renovation, you have to remove kitchen cabinets. It is essential to take off kitchen cabinets without any damage because professional services are available. If you want to reuse them, hire professional to remove cabinets without any damage.
Before removing kitchen cabinets, you have to remove all your pots, pans and dishes from them. Turn off the power and water to the kitchen. Take away the trim, disassemble cabinets and disconnect cabinets from the walls. You have to work patiently to remove cabinets without hiring any professional.
7 Tips to Remove Kitchen Cabinets
Empty All Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets offer extra storage to store pans, pots, silverware and plates. Your carelessness during the process of removing cabinets can damage them. Remember, pans, pots, glasses and plates can increase the weight of cabinets. You have to remove all the items from cabinets.
Put all the items of kitchen cabinets at a safe place. It will be useful to move them to a different room. Use a sheet to cover these items if you are managing construction in your home. It prevents debris and dust from getting on the belongings.
Turn Off Water
Base cabinets may be connected to the countertop, and you have to remove each counter. Before removing the countertop, it is essential to turn off the water supply and pull out the sink to avoid floods.
A shut-off valve may be available under the sink. With this metal knob, you can turn off the supply of water. Before removing countertops, you have to double-check the water supply. The water supply must be turned off to prevent the flow of water from the sink.
Before removing your counters, you have to work around an electrical outlet. Make sure to move wires from the way of kitchen cabinets. It is essential to turn off the electricity to keep you safe.
If you want to reuse the countertop, you have to protect them. A thick sheet can keep your cabinets free from debris and dust. Put a flat wooden piece on the blanket to protect your counters from dents from accidental drops of a tool.
Remove Molding and Trims from Cabinets
Molding and decorative trim are fastened loosely with small nails and staples. These can easily come off. Use a hammer claw or a crowbar to remove them. Insert a blade between the cabinet and trim. A tight space may give some taps to a crowbar with one hammer to drive into a crack. Make sure to pry until a trim comes off.
For trims, you have to check the base cabinets and wall. It may wrap around corners and complicated to spot. You can’t reuse molding and trim; therefore, don’t take tension about their damage. They can crack if you pry them off. Moreover, you can scratch or dent the wood. Wear gloves to handle trim without staples or splinters.
Put Support Block Under the Cabinet of Wall
These may prevent the cabinet from banging on the floor if cabinets slip from your hand when you remove them. You have to measure the distance between the base of the cabinet and the countertop. Cut four lumber pieces toward length and put one under every corner of cabinets you are removing.
Use thick lumber to support the weight of cabinets. Measuring of blocks can be 2-inch x 4-inch. These supports are removable; therefore, move them from one cabinet to another cabinet. The supports must hold a cabinet until you regain the grip. They may not bear the entire weight of cabinets.
Remove Doors of the Cabinet
The doors may be connected to the cabinets through hinges with screws. Open the door to find hinges and use a drill or screwdriver to remove the screws fastening the door. On different cabinets, if you open and push the door too far, it will break off. You can use this method if you are planning to throw them away anyway.
If you want to reuse cabinets, you have to remove screws and hinges of the door and save them. Please put them in a plastic bag to avoid losing them. Before using a power drill, you have to wear gloves and goggles.
Take Out Shelves
Shelves may become a hurdle while removing each cabinet. You have to take out shelves before starting your work. Different cabinets feature particular mechanisms to secure their shelves. If shelves rest on the top in the walls of the cabinet, lift the shelves off the supports and guide them out of cabinets.
If shelves are properly screwed, you have to protect screw holding. Use a drill or screwdriver to remove all the screws. Make sure to hold on each shelf before removing the final screw. You will require screws and plugs you want to remove for reusing the cabinets. Store the pieces at a secure place.
Remove the Cabinets by Removing Screws
Cabinets are screwed together after their installation. Look in the cabinets to see if there are extra screws inside. These will hold the cabinets together. If you can see these screws, remove them and carefully detach the cabinets from a wall.
You may find these screws around the hinges of the door. The installer can put screws in different directions. For this reason, use a flashlight and check around with your hand to find remaining screws. The cabinet can be fastened to a wall with drywall screws. Search for the screws in the cabinet and use a power drill to take out screws.
If you want to use a screwdriver, turn your screws counterclockwise to remove them. Carefully check if there are extra screws and remove them. Make sure to hold cabinets before removing the last screw to avoid the cabinets from falling on the floor.
Final Verdict
You can replicate this process to remove kitchen cabinets. After removing them, keep them aside at a secure place. Cover them with a thick sheet to prevent debris and dust. It is necessary if you are planning to reuse these cabinets. Remember, carefully follow this process and ask for help if necessary.
