If your house does not have much space, you might already be benefitting from pocket doors. Aside from saving space, they also look unique. However, it is inevitable that a pocket door starts squeaking. You don't have to worry about it, though. We thoroughly researched how to fix it.
Squeaky sliding doors often result from incorrect adjustment, grime, insufficient oil, or dampness. You can fix it as quickly as applying lubricant, adjusting the rollers, or, if needed, fixing the entire door.
Please keep reading to know the procedures for fixing a squeaky pocket door. Enjoy reading!
What To Do To Fix A Squeaky Pocket Door
Squeaking can occur if the bottom of a door drags on the track due to improperly set rollers. On the other hand, even if your pocket door has a proper roller adjustment, it may not correctly function if the track becomes dirty or there is moisture near or on the rollers.
Adjustment
First, slide open or close the pocket door to see where the squeaks come from.
If you notice that the squeaks are from the upper part of your pocket door, it is because the rollers are too high. On the other hand, if the noise emanates from the floor, the rollers are probably too low.
To fix it, find the tiny machined holes at each roller, either on the inside or outside of the pocket door. You can access the slot of the adjustment screw by putting the tip of a screwdriver into one of the holes of the rollers and turning it slowly until the tip catches.
If the door is too high, lift the upper part and rotate the screwdriver counterclockwise; if it's rubbing on the track, turn it clockwise. The standard adjustment for a roller is two complete rotations. Just repeat the process to alter the roller on the other side of your pocket door.
Cleaning
Get a utility brush and shop vacuum to clean out the bottom track. If necessary, loosen muddy deposits with the brush's handle.
We suggest utilizing a screwdriver to loosen the accumulated dirt. And do vacuum the pocket door's track as you move it from end to end.
Lubricate
After the roller adjustments and cleaning process, the next solution requires spreading a thin layer of silicone spray lubricant down the entire length of the bottom track and the upper channel.
Try opening and closing the door on the track. If the squeaking still occurs, continue to the following paragraph.
How To Fix A Pocket Door
In most cases, lubrication is enough. However, there are instances where the hardware is at fault, which causes the squeaking noise.
So, if the process above didn't work and the squeaking still goes on, your last resort would be fixing the entire pocket door. And to do that, we suggest you follow the procedures in this section.
1. Take The Pocket Door Off Its Frame
To identify the problem, you must detach the pocket door first from its frame.
With a utility knife, remove the molding to get to the frame. And once you reach the frame, it will release the pocket door. Note that you don't have to detach all sides of the frame; just the upper part will do.
We suggest performing this process carefully and gently to avoid damaging the drywall.
Furthermore, if prying off a sealed door frame with a putty or utility knife proves too tricky, try using the claw on the end of a hammer instead.
2. Detach The Pocket Door From Its Track
The sliding mechanism of your door will determine the best method for opening it.
- When removing a door that slides on rollers, pry it up and tap on the rollers to loosen the door from its track.
- You can remove the rollers on a j-track system from their guides by tilting the door's top outward.
- Alternately pry the upper part and underside edges if the door is stuck inside the pocket. When lifting out the pocket door, be mindful of its molding.
3. Check For Damage
After you remove the pocket door, lay it on its side. We require you to examine the rollers, together with their brackets for damage and crooked axles. You can find them on the door slab's top edge.
The rollers may look like they are in good shape but are probably stuck. In this case, it would be best to lubricate them. We recommend utilizing a high-quality silicone lubricant spray.
Get a flashlight and check the door track's condition in the jamb recess. Door jamming is a common problem due to the deterioration of door tracks. If this is the case, you must remove the current set of tracks and replace them with a new one.
4. Replacing The Damaged Rollers
If you notice that you have broken door rollers, you should purchase a new one from your local hardware store.
Remove the old door rollers by unscrewing the fasteners. And before you put the new rollers, try to roll them between your fingers to see if they are in good working order.
5. Detach Faulty Tracks
Pocket door tracks often need replacing because of wear and tear. We suggest cutting a hole in the wall when establishing a new track.
- Get your flashlight to investigate the door's former recess and take careful notes on the condition of the surrounding frame. Also, avoiding the door frame studs would be best as you create a hole.
- We suggest utilizing a stud finder to find any hidden studs at the back of the wall before making any cuts. Using the stud finder, locate the area on the wall where you prefer to make the hole.
- Clasping down the side buttons, slide the stud finder in a horizontal direction. When the stud finder is near a stud, a light will illuminate. And marking that spot would be best.
- Keep moving the stud finder to identify additional studs. Put a mark on every stud you locate.
- Make a square- or rectangular-shaped line in the spot you intend to cut out. Draw it using a leveler or a ruler. The track should be able to wiggle out and back into this space efficiently.
- Carefully cut the hole in the drywall. You should use sharp drywall saw in this step. And to remove the track from the door frame, you will need to unscrew it from the frame and tug it through the hole.
Furthermore, to remove the track with minimal effort, we recommend making the hole nearer to the top of the door jamb.
Read: "Do Shower Doors Need Studs?"
6. Install A New Track
- After you detach the old track, you will need to measure its dimensions. It includes depth, width, and length. These dimensions will aid you in purchasing a new door track.
- Ensure that the pocket door frame is level before you place the newly purchased track. And if you noticed that it is not level, it would be best to put a shim.
- You can install the track by sliding it through the access hole and then nailing it into position in the track slot in the upper part of the frame. Again, double-check if the new track is level before proceeding.
Check out plastic shims on Amazon.
7. Try The New Track
Ensure the door will hang appropriately on the new track before positioning it back.
- You have to fasten the rollers to a two-by-six board to simulate your pocket door and hang it on the track like a door.
- Put the board on the track and glide it. Make sure it glides easily within the pocket, is positioned securely on the track, and you can adjust it without any hassle.
- If everything checks out, remove the board and move the rollers to the upper part of the door slab.
Watch this video to learn how to properly install rollers on a pocket door.
8. Reinstall The Door
- You should install the door slab by tilting the base toward you, raising the upper part toward the frame, and then putting the rollers back to the track.
- To get the door to stand upright and securely in its track, use your foot to press the bottom in and away from you.
- Lastly, do as the manufacturer instructs to secure the rollers in place.
We suggest using a lever under the door to hold the door up while you put the rollers on the tracks.
9. Adjust The Door
- To ensure the pocket door is functioning correctly, glide it in and out of the pocket. Adjustments may be necessary if the door leaves an uncomfortable crevice at the footing or vertical edge.
- To fine-tune the door's height, utilize a spanner to tighten or loosen the fasteners that attach the rollers.
- Reinstall the trim and the door jamb you took off before proceeding with the door installation.
10. Replace The Drywall
After reinstalling the door, you must patch the access hole utilizing the previously removed section of drywall.
Get four narrow wooden strips. You will need to nail these strips around the hole. In this step, you can opt to utilize shimmers. You can use these as backings to secure the drywall patch over the opening.
Once you finish reinstalling the drywall, it would be best to utilize drywall mud to smooth out any gaps or cracks. And to achieve a uniform appearance on the wall, sand the compound once it dries.
That settles it! Your door should now function well.
Read: "Is A Pocket Door Wall Load Bearing?"
Wrapping It Up
Fixing a squeaky pocket door is too straightforward to repair. All you need is complete tools and knowledge about how a pocket door works.
Thanks for reading!
