Troubleshooting Sticking Sliding Closet Doors

To replace the door follow the steps in photo 2 in reverse order.

Troubleshooting sticking sliding closet doors.

To fix this issue first try vacuuming up debris and grime from the track with a crevice attachment. As a last resort loosen the top pivot bracket setscrew and slide the top away from the door frame. Then wipe it with a damp rag. Here s how to repair your sliding door and make it run like new.

A dirty obstructed or damaged track can make a sliding closet door jump off its track. The first thing to check is what type of rail system your sliding closet door uses in order for it to slide. Scrub caked dirt and grime out of the track with a stiff brush and soapy water. Use an aerosol lubricant to lubricate all the door rollers.

Drill through the jamb countersink the screwhead with a countersink bit. You may need to add a second screw. Determine where the sticking is happening. First vacuum loose debris so you can see what you re working with.

To fix this you can adjust the height of the rollers by the screws on the rollers. If the door still doesn t slide smoothly the rollers under the door either need adjusting or are shot. You may need to add a second screw. If grime remains try wiping it up with a mild cleaner and a cloth.

You can order rollers and other door parts for repairing sliding doors through lumberyards and home centers or online. Sliding closet doors are loose and swing in and out. Sliding door tracks are magnets for dirt dust pet hair bugs grass food crumbs you name it. The tracks are notoriously difficult to clean so you ll have to pull out all the stops.

Or gently lift the door off the lower bracket with a flat pry bar. If your doors hang from a top rail and do not have a track on the floor then you need to either replace or tighten down the floor guides. If the sticking area is along the door frame where the hinges are located. Now precisely where on this part of the door frame does the sticking occur.

On the top middle or bottom. Sliding glass door repair will get the job done. Tighten screws gradually and watch the trim to make sure you don t. If the rollers are damaged install replacement rollers available at home centers.

To clean and lubricate the hardware of a sliding closet door use a stiff brush a toothbrush or a hand vacuum to clean dust from the tracks. See if the screws holding the guides down need tightening to be more secure. Start with a good cleaning. Turn the bottom pivot height adjustment to lower it if possible.

If it s a matter of friction on the strike plate try. Next take a dry stiff scrub brush and work through corner to corner. Your door is old and worn out.