No matter how expensive the bathroom cabinets, many are made of pressed or composite wood. They look good but do not hold screws aggressively. In the bathroom, this problem is magnified by damp conditions.

The top hinge is usually the first one to go. As its screws loosen, the door gets out of alignment, and the hinge plate either loosens or pulls out.

Just screwing the plate back in no longer works because the holes are now too large and the screws will no longer hold.

You can fix the problem by lowering the hinge a couple of inches, giving the screws fresh wood. Here's all you have to do.

Replacing the hinges

Materials needed: Door hinge, and screws if necessary and water putty

Tools needed: Pencil, tape measure, screwdriver, drill, hinge cutting bit and putty knife

1. Unscrew the loosened hinge plate and remove it.

2. Reposition the plate so that the screw goes into new pressed wood. Drill holes and screw in.

3. Using the new hinge plate position as a guide, carefully measure and mark the position of the new hinge position. Put an "X" in the center of the new position.

4. Drill out the recess for the new hinge position in the door. Check the old hinge position for depth. Make sure you do not accidentally drill through the door.

5. Carefully position the hinge so that it is perfectly flush to the door edge, then screw it into place.

6. Reconnect the door hinges.

7. Fill the old hinge plate and screw holes with gypsum-based filler such as Durham's Water Putty, (515) 243-0491, www.waterputty.com. Add water and mix to a dough-like consistency. Roll it into a ball and press it into the cavity and flatten with the putty knife. Keep adding putty until it "bounces" back. Do not remove excess while putty is wet. Wait 20 minutes, then shave off excess with the putty knife. Next day, sand smooth and paint.

The door should be good for another five years. By then it will be time to remodel.