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If you have a pocket door that isn’t working properly, here are some remedies you can try:
Pocket door is off track To repair a pocket door, you first have to remove it. To do this:
1) Use a utility knife to break the paint seal along the stop moldings on each door jamb, and then carefully pry off the moldings with a chisel or a 5-in-1 tool and flat bar.
2) Position the door so that it’s centered in the doorway, tilt it toward the room, and lift the rollers out of the overhead track.
3) Inspect the rollers to see if they’re broken, worn, or otherwise fouled. If one or both are, repair or replace both of them (take one to the hardware store to find matching replacements).
Damaged pocket door track Repairing the track is trickier because it’s located inside the pocket. If possible, slide your arm into the pocket and make sure the track is screwed soundly in place. If it isn’t, do your best to tighten the screws.
A hopeless track will have to be replaced. This involves removing enough wall covering near the track to let you access the old track so you can remove it and install a new one. Unless you’re accomplished at home carpentry, call in a professional.
Pocket door rolls poorly When a pocket door doesn’t work right, the problem is often with the rollers. Check that they’re fitted into the track properly. If they are, you will need to remove the door to diagnose the problem.
1) Remove both stops from the head jamb and from one side jamb so that you can lift the door out. Angle the bottom out, and then lift the door up.
2) Inspect the rollers to see if they’re broken or have just come loose. If the problem is just a loose roller, tighten or replace the loose screws at its base. If a roller is broken, replace both.
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