How to Fix Sliding Closet Doors

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Closet doors should effortlessly slide along the rails. If your closet door rollers work unevenly and get stuck, use these tips to get the wheels rolling again.

Step 1: Remove doors
Remove the closet doors from the closet opening by sliding the door half open and lifting the door up into the top track; then tilt the bottom out toward you and lower the door to the floor.

Tip
Place a throw rug or blanket on the floor where you plan to place your closet door once you’ve removed it. This will help to prevent scratches.

Step 2: Clean track
Inspect the track for any debris or stray drops of paint and vacuum debris out of the track with a crevice tool. Wipe the track with a damp rag or use a cleaning solution, and vacuum the tracks occasionally to avoid any dirt buildup. Lubricate as needed.

Tip
A sticking closet door may be rubbing against new flooring. If a taller floor is the problem, adjust the height of the door using the screws or knobs on the back of the door that control the roller height so the door will hang plumb.

Step 3: Straighten track
Examine the track to determine if it’s bent. Tap the track with a wood block and hammer to straighten a bent track; place a block of wood into the track and then use another block to hammer the track straight.

Tip
Check the screws in the overhead track and tighten as necessary. Sliding closet doors may stick if the rollers have worn or developed a flat spot from use, so replace worn roller wheels if needed.

Step 4: Adjust wooden doors
Adjust wooden closet doors by using a pry bar to remove any tack nails along the bottom of the door. Cut oak wear strips to fit along the bottom, then sand the top and bottom of the door. Thereafter, glue the oak wear strips along the bottom.

Step 5: Reinstall
Reinstall the closet doors. Check to make sure the rollers glide smoothly and check for an even gap between the door and the jamb; adjust your doors again if needed.

Did You Know?
Wardrobes, or armoires, were traditionally used to contain weaponry.