How to Repair Sliding Closet Doors
Sliding closet doors should only need one hand to open and close. If you have to use two hands to force the doors open and close then it is time to repair them. When sliding closet doors come off their tracks and they are hard to slide open and close, there are a few solutions that can be used to restore them to their original working condition.
Items needed:
- Screwdriver
- WD-40 or Vaseline
- Flashlight
- Vacuum
- Tweezers
Instructions:
- Inspect the lower and the upper tracks to see if they are bent out of shape. Use the screwdriver to put it back into place. Check the screws to see if they have become loose and need to be tightened. Tighten all of the screws.
- Locate the wheels and check to see if they are broken. Replace them if they are broken. You can find replacement from local hardware stores. Dust, pet hair and other debris can accumulate over time and prevent the wheels from moving easily. Use your hands or a pair of tweezers to remove any debris that is in sight.
- Check the door guides and use the vacuum to clean any loose dirt. Run the screwdriver along the sides and along the tracks to check if it gets caught on anything. If the guides are broken, you can find replacements at the local hardware stores.
- Spray some WD-40 on the wheels. Vaseline works very well as a lubricant if WD-40 is not available. This lubricates the wheels and allows them to turn freely. If the doors are still not gliding smoothly then check to see if the whole door needs to be raised.
- Check the hangers on the top of the doors to see if they have dropped over the years. Tighten the all of the screws. If these steps don't solve the problem you can buy a complete track kit that includes the tracks, rollers and guides.