Repairing and Replacing Sliding Closet Doors

Image credit to canadacow.

Sliding doors are very popular for closets, because they provide good access and work easily. However, sometimes these doors need to be repaired or even replaced when they begin to wear or malfunction. While you won’t find this as much fun as buying new tree wall art or tropical fish wall decor, lucky for you, fixing or replacing a sliding closet door isn't difficult; the job can generally be completed in an afternoon after the parts have been acquired.

Assessing the Problem

The first step to fixing or replacing a sliding closet door is diagnosing the problem. Sometimes the only problem is that the door tends to stick. If this is the case, it's important to find and adjust the problem before further damage occurs as a result of forcing the door. Sometimes a sliding door will disengage itself from the track, or the door simply will not close completely. Most times these types of problems can be easily fixed with simply some adjustments, a bit of cleaning or a replacement part, but occasionally a part will break that will require replacing the door hardware.

Doors that Stick or Won't Close Completely

Door rollers that have become worn can cause a door to stick. These roller wheels can be easily replaced, but it's important to get replacement parts that are compatible with the door. Taking the worn parts to the hardware store when selecting replacements, or consulting the original parts manual for the door is the best way to get compatible parts. If you recently remodeled the room and added new flooring or carpeting, the problem might be that the door is rubbing. Depending on the amount of adjustment needed, you can try raising the height of the door by using the roller height adjustment knobs or screws on the back of the door, or even try trimming a very small amount of wood off the bottom of the door. One other problem to check for when sliding doors stick is the overhead track that the doors slides on. Over time, this track can become loose. Simply tightening the screws that attach the overhead track can often correct a door that sticks. If the door will not close completely, the floor guide might have become damaged or loosened, and simply re-tightening the screws or straightening the guide can often fix the problem.

Doors that Jump the Track

Try cleaning the track thoroughly, using a vacuum and a damp rag with a mild cleanser. Also be sure to check to make sure all the screws are tightened and are not causing an obstruction. If a floor track has become bent, try straightening it using a scrap of wood as a cushion, and a hammer. Overhead tracks can often be straightened with a pair of pliers.

Replacing a Sliding Door or Door Hardware

Severe damage generally will call for the replacement of either the door hardware, or occasionally the door itself. If hardware needs to be replaced, it's often best to replace it by purchasing a kit, which will include the guides, track and rollers. This is usually the easiest way to insure that all the parts are compatible with each other. Most styles of sliding doors hang from the upper track, and removing the door is as simple as lifting them up and out of the track, although some models have locking mechanisms or a certain position the door must be in so that they can be lifted out. Replace the track and hardware, using the positioning of the old hardware as a guide, and then re-hang the door.