How to fix sliding door?

beginnerDIY2

My bathroom has a pocket sliding door which has gotten stuck and drags along the ground. After doing some research I think it will be as simple as adjusting the mechanism to lift the front part of the door, however it is blocked by this part of the door frame which is held in my very thin nails. I don't know the best method of removing this as the nail head is too small to pull with a hammer or pliers  ? Any advice would be appreciated!

MitchellMc

Hi @beginnerDIY2,

It sounds like removing that piece of trim will be necessary to access and adjust the door mechanism. Given that the trim is held in by thin nails with small heads, a few methods could help you remove it cleanly. One approach would be to carefully lever the trim off with a pry bar, but to avoid damaging the surrounding frame, you might want to use a thin putty knife or a wood shim behind the pry bar as a buffer. This will help you apply even pressure and reduce the risk of splitting or marking the wood as you work your way down the length of the trim. You might need to tap the trim with a mallet to open up a gap under it to insert the prybar into.

If the trim is particularly snug, a multitool could be useful. With a multitool, you can either cut through the nails to free the trim piece or use a fine-tooth blade to carefully saw through the edge where the trim meets the frame. This method may give you a bit more control and help reduce the risk of chipping or splintering.

Once you have the trim removed, you should have access to adjust the door mechanism and raise the door so it no longer drags. Afterwards, when you reinstall the trim, consider using slightly larger finishing nails or a trim adhesive to secure it more easily. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell