Pocket doors can stop working properly for a variety of reasons. It is necessary to fix a pocket door that has gone off track, has a damaged track, or does not roll as it should. If a pocket door has gone off track, the roller may have to be replaced. When a pocket door has a track that has sustained wear and tear, it may be necessary to install a new track if the problem is not simply a case of loose screws. Pocket doors that don’t roll properly may have to be removed to determine the problem.
Pocket doors are a worthy addition to any home but are not always reliable. Several problems can manifest themselves, although none are in general difficult to deal with. To fix a pocket door that has gone off track, break the seal on the door jamb with a knife. Take off the stop moldings on the door jamb with a chisel. Place the pocket door in the middle of the doorway. Remove the roller from the overhead track. Closely check the rollers to ensure they are not broken; if they are, replace immediately.
To fix a pocket door with a damaged track, put your hand into the pocket to check the stability of the track. It may have loose screws which must be tightened. Replacing the track itself requires removing the track’s wall covering. Once the old track has been taken out, install the new one.
In order to fix a pocket door that does not roll correctly, take a look at the rollers to make sure they fit into the track. If this is not the problem, the entire door will have to be taken out for further inspection. There is a piece of wood that runs along the door jamb. This must be cut slowly and precisely with a knife.
Use either a flat pry bar or a putty knife to take off the door stops. It is important to avoid breaking the wood because it may be used again. Close the door once again and make sure it completely covers the doorway as normal.