Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Fix Sliding Closet Doors That Are Rubbing

Sliding doors that rub cause faster wear on the wood in addition to the annoying sound created. The rubbing doors are also more difficult to open because of the friction created. You can often remedy the rubbing by making adjustments in how the doors hang. In some cases, old hardware needs to be replaced to allow the doors to slide freely without rubbing against one another. Inspecting your doors and their components helps you identify the source of the problem. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions


1. Look inside the door to ensure that the door hanging mechanisms are secured properly inside the upper track. Inspect the bottom of the doors to ensure both doors are properly placed in the lower brackets or tracks. If either of the doors are out of track even slightly, the two doors may rub together.


2. Inspect the track itself to determine its condition. A bent track may cause the door to tip or rub against the other. Replace a door track that is bent or damaged and doesn't allow for free sliding of one or both of the doors.


3. Remove the doors from the tracks. Sand the edges and anywhere on the doors where they rub against other wood pieces. A smooth surface allows the wood to slide more smoothly than a rough surface.


4. Apply a paste lubricant found at a woodworking store. Rub the lubricant onto the top and bottom edges as well as other areas on the doors where they rub against other wood. The lubricant aids in the doors sliding with less friction.


5. Place the doors back on the tracks. Adjust the height of the doors, if the bracket allows, to reduce rubbing, particularly if the carpeting interferes with the sliding of the door. If the carpet pushes on the door, it may push it back into the other door and cause rubbing.

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