What is the first step when removing kitchen cabinets? The first step is always to turn off the power and water to the area, and then clear out all the contents of the cabinets you plan to remove.
Removing old kitchen cupboards can seem like a big job. However, with the right plan and tools, it is a task most handy homeowners can manage. This guide will walk you through the process of kitchen cabinet removal, step by step. We will cover everything from prepping the area to safely taking down base cabinets and dismantling wall cabinets. Whether you are renovating or just need them gone, this information will help you succeed.
Getting Ready: Essential Preparations Before You Start
Before you touch a single screw, preparation is key. Taking the time to set up properly saves you headaches later. This phase is crucial for safety and efficiency, whether you are just unmounting kitchen cupboards for a refresh or planning full kitchen cabinet demolition.
Safety First: Protecting Yourself and Your Home
Safety gear is not optional. You will be working with tools and potentially dealing with sharp edges or dust.
- Wear protective gear: Always use safety glasses. Wear sturdy work gloves to protect your hands. If cutting into drywall or dealing with old wood, a dust mask is smart.
- Shut off utilities: This is critical, especially for base cabinets near sinks or dishwashers. Turn off the main water supply to the sink. Shut off the electricity at the breaker box for any outlets or lighting inside or near the cabinets. Double-check that the power is off using a non-contact voltage tester.
Clearing the Work Area
A clear space makes the job much easier and safer.
- Empty the contents: Take everything out of the cabinets. Food, dishes, tools—everything must go. This lightens the cabinet structure, making it safer to move later.
- Protect the floor: Kitchen floors can get scratched easily. Lay down drop cloths, heavy cardboard, or old blankets. Tape them down securely so they do not slip while you are moving heavy items.
Gathering the Right Tools for Removing Kitchen Cabinets
Having the correct gear makes the whole process smoother. These tools for removing kitchen cabinets are essential for success.
| Tool Category | Specific Tool Needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Fastening Removal | Power Drill/Driver | Removing screws holding doors, hinges, and the main boxes. |
| Screwdrivers (Phillips and Flathead) | For smaller, stubborn screws. | |
| Prying & Separating | Pry Bar (Slim and Standard) | Gently separating the cabinet from the wall or countertop. |
| Utility Knife | Cutting through old caulk or paint seals. | |
| Measuring & Support | Level | Checking alignment before removal (less critical for removal, but good practice). |
| Sturdy Ladder or Step Stool | Essential for reaching removing upper cabinets. | |
| Two-Person Carry System (Optional) | For safely moving large base units. |
Stage One: Dealing with the Finishes and Hardware
Before you can start how to detach kitchen cabinets from wall sections, you must remove anything attached to the outside or inside faces.
Removing Doors and Drawer Fronts
It is much easier and safer to work with just the cabinet box.
- Remove hardware: Use your drill or screwdriver to take off all the knobs and pulls. Keep them organized if you plan to reuse them.
- Detach the doors: Most modern hinges allow you to unclip the door from the mounting plate attached to the cabinet frame. Open the door fully. Look for a small lever or button near the hinge base. Press this to release the door. If you have older cabinet styles, you might need to unscrew the hinges entirely from the cabinet body.
- Remove drawers: Pull the drawer out completely. Look underneath where the drawer slides meet the cabinet walls. There are usually small tabs or screws you must release to lift the drawer box out of its runners.
Cutting the Sealants and Caulk
Cabinets are often sealed to the wall, backsplash, or countertop to keep moisture out and create a neat finish.
- Use a utility knife: Carefully run a sharp utility knife around all edges where the cabinet meets the wall or backsplash. Score the line deeply to sever any paint or caulk holding it in place.
- Be gentle near tile: If you have a tile backsplash, be very careful not to chip the tiles while cutting or prying.
Stage Two: How to Detach Kitchen Cabinets From Wall (Upper Cabinets First)
It is standard procedure to remove upper cabinets before base cabinets. This prevents heavy base units from being damaged by falling debris or tools from above. This section focuses on removing upper cabinets.
Locating the Mounting Screws
How to detach kitchen cabinets from wall relies on finding where they are secured. Cabinets are usually screwed into the wall studs for maximum support.
- Find the studs: Use a stud finder to locate the wooden vertical supports behind the drywall. Mark these locations lightly with a pencil. If you cannot find studs, cabinets might be attached to blocking (horizontal wood pieces between studs).
- Check the cabinet top and bottom: Manufacturers often place screws through the top or bottom rails of the cabinet box, driving them directly into the studs.
Removing the Securing Screws
This is the moment of truth. You need support when the last screw comes out.
- Use a helper: Have a helper stand ready beneath the cabinet, especially for wide or heavy units.
- Drill out the screws: Using your drill, carefully remove the mounting screws you located. Do not remove them all the way at first. Leave the last one or two screws on one side slightly threaded.
- Lower carefully: Once all but one or two screws are out, carefully pull the cabinet slightly away from the wall. Check if anything is snagged. If it feels light, remove the final screws.
- Immediate placement: As soon as the cabinet is free, have your helper support the weight. Move the removing upper cabinets to a safe staging area. Lean them against a wall, making sure they are stable and cannot tip over.
Stage Three: Taking Down Base Cabinets
Taking down base cabinets is often more physically demanding than removing uppers because they are heavier and frequently attached to plumbing or flooring.
Disconnecting Utilities
If the base cabinets house a sink or are near a dishwasher, you must disconnect the services first.
- Water lines: Turn off the water supply valves underneath the sink. Use a basin or bucket to catch any water left in the lines when you unscrew the supply hoses from the faucet base. Disconnect the drainpipe (P-trap).
- Gas lines (Rare but possible): If there is a gas line for a cooktop located in the base cabinet, call a qualified professional to disconnect it safely. Never attempt to disconnect gas lines yourself unless you are trained.
- Electrical connections: If there are outlets or disposal units wired inside the base cabinet, turn off the power at the breaker. Carefully unplug the disposal or disconnect the wiring inside an access panel. Cap or wrap exposed wires safely.
Separating Base Cabinets from the Countertop
If you are keeping the countertop, this step is vital. If you are demolishing everything, you can often skip this and proceed directly to unmounting.
- Cutting the adhesive: If the counter sits directly on the base cabinets, there might be adhesive or caulk sealing the two together. Use your utility knife to slice through this seal all the way around.
- Lifting the counter (If necessary): If the counter is heavy and attached, it might need to be lifted off before the base unit can move. This usually requires at least two strong people, or specialized lifting straps.
Unmounting the Base Cabinets
Base cabinets are screwed into the wall studs, often through the top back rail, similar to the upper units.
- Locate and mark studs: Find where the cabinet is secured to the wall studs. Remember that base cabinets are often secured lower down as well, sometimes through the bottom kickplate into the floor joists, though this is less common than wall attachment.
- Remove screws: Systematically remove the mounting screws. Keep track of which screws belonged where.
- Wiggle and pull: Base cabinets are heavy. Have a helper ready. Gently wiggle the cabinet side to side to loosen it from any remaining sealants or debris. Slowly pull it away from the wall.
Tip for heavy units: If the base cabinet is too heavy to lift safely once freed, slide a furniture dolly underneath before removing the final anchor screw. This allows you to roll it out rather than lifting it.
Advanced Demolition: Dealing with Continuous Runs and Islands
When doing large-scale kitchen cabinet demolition, you might encounter cabinets mounted directly to each other or kitchen islands that require special attention.
Separating Cabinets Joined Together
Kitchen layouts often feature long runs of cabinets screwed side-by-side.
- Examine the seams: Look at the seam where two cabinet boxes meet. You will find screws driven through the side panel of one cabinet into the face frame or side of the next.
- Remove connecting screws: Use your drill to remove these connecting screws. You must remove every screw linking the units before you can move the first one.
- Move as separate units: Once disconnected, treat each cabinet box as an individual unit for removing kitchen cabinets safely.
Removing Kitchen Islands
Islands are generally not screwed to the wall, but they can be secured in other ways.
- Check the floor: Some islands are anchored directly to the subfloor with lag bolts, especially if they contain heavy appliances or plumbing. Look carefully underneath the toe-kick area for signs of large bolts.
- Appliance weight: If the island holds a heavy sink or range, ensure all plumbing and gas lines are safely disconnected before attempting to shift the structure. A large island might require dismantling the structure piece by piece if it cannot be moved whole.
Post-Removal Steps: Cleanup and Disposal
Once the cabinets are out, you have a few things left to manage: filling holes and getting rid of the old wood. This involves cabinet disposal after removal.
Repairing the Walls
Removing cabinets exposes studs, wiring, pipes, and often damaged drywall or painted surfaces.
- Fill screw holes: Use spackle or joint compound to fill all the small holes left by the mounting screws. Sand smooth once dry.
- Address drywall damage: If the wall surface was ripped or gouged during the process of unmounting kitchen cupboards, you might need to cut out and patch sections of drywall.
- Inspect for mold/pests: Now is the perfect time to check the exposed wall cavity for signs of moisture damage, mold, or pest infestation, especially behind where the sink cabinet sat.
Cabinet Disposal After Removal
What do you do with the bulky old wood? Proper cabinet disposal after removal keeps your project clean and follows local rules.
- Donation: If the cabinets are in good shape, consider donating them to a local reuse center or charity like Habitat for Humanity ReStore. They often accept full sets.
- Junk Removal Service: For a quick solution, hire a local junk removal service. They will load everything up and take it to the proper recycling or landfill facility.
- Renting a Dumpster: If you are doing extensive demolition, renting a construction dumpster is often the most efficient way to manage all the waste, including old drywall and flooring. Check local regulations regarding the types of materials allowed in construction debris bins.
Summary of the Process for Replacing Kitchen Cabinets
If your goal is replacing kitchen cabinets, the removal process prepares the stage perfectly. Once the old units are gone, you have a blank slate.
- Inspect and Prep: Ensure the walls and floors are sound. Check electrical and plumbing rough-ins.
- Layout: Measure precisely where the new base cabinets will sit, factoring in required spacing for appliances.
- Install Base Cabinets: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, using the same stud locations where possible for anchoring. Leveling the base cabinets perfectly is the single most important step for a successful cabinet installation.
- Install Wall Cabinets: Install the wall cabinets next, ensuring they are securely anchored to studs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Cabinet Removal
Q1: Can I remove kitchen cabinets without emptying them first?
A: While technically possible, it is strongly advised against. Emptying the cabinets makes the structure significantly lighter, reducing strain on your back and lowering the risk of cabinets falling during the kitchen cabinet demolition phase.
Q2: How long does it take to remove a standard set of kitchen cabinets?
A: For an average-sized kitchen (10-15 cabinets), the process usually takes one full day, or sometimes two days if there are many plumbing connections or very stubborn fasteners involved in unmounting kitchen cupboards.
Q3: What is the hardest part of taking down base cabinets?
A: The hardest part is usually disconnecting fixed plumbing and dealing with the sheer weight. Base cabinets are heavy, and bending over repeatedly to remove screws can be tiring. Always use a helper for taking down base cabinets.
Q4: Do I need to worry about permits for kitchen cabinet removal?
A: Generally, removing existing, non-load-bearing cabinets does not require a building permit. However, if you are significantly altering plumbing, electrical wiring, or structural walls during the replacing kitchen cabinets process, permits might be necessary for the new installation. Always check with your local building department.
Q5: My upper cabinets seem very stuck. How do I know if I missed a screw?
A: If you pull gently and the cabinet doesn’t budge evenly, stop pulling immediately. Recheck your work. Look high near the ceiling line and low near the bottom rail for any last mounting screws. Sometimes, contractors use construction adhesive in addition to screws when removing upper cabinets; you may need to gently insert a thin pry bar and tap lightly to break that seal after all screws are out.