In small rooms, sliding closet doors are ideal because they do not take up any extra space in the room. This maximizes the space that you do have, making the room feel larger than it actually is and making it more functional than it would be otherwise. Some people even use sliding doors made out of mirrors, eliminating the need for free-standing mirrors, which makes them that much more useful. If you have them, you should consider the following tips that will help you maintain them over the years. Oil the Tracks The sliding closet doors are going to open and close on tracks, or runners. These will move along the floor and back into the pocket where the door disappears when it is opened. Pegs or wheels will extend down from the bottom of the door and up from the top, depending on the design, and fit into those tracks. You need to oil these tracks lightly from time to time so that they they slide smoothly and easily. If your doors have wheels, you should also consider oiling the wheels. This reduces wear and tear on the doors so that they do not break. Remove Any Obstructions While you are oiling the sliding closet doors, take a moment to remove any obstructions from the tracks. You may even want to sweep them out or run a damp cloth through them. The littlest items may not cause the door to stick, but you can be sure that they are pressing into the metal every time the door is opened, gouging it and scratching it. Large obstructions could even make it stop while you are sliding it, which could in turn bend the track, the pegs or the wheels. Removing the obstructions helps to keep the door in good working order. Protect Against Rust The problem with the metal tracks on sliding closet doors is that they can rust if they get wet. You need to put some sort of coating on them from time to time to keep this from happening. If they begin to rust, it is impossible to stop. It makes the door unsightly and could even cause it to stop working. The best way to go about this is to combine this with the first tip. Just look for an oil that will also act as an anti-corrosive agent. Apply it once a month, and apply extra if you ever spill anything on the track or wash it off with water. Never Force the Door to Open The number one reason that people have to replace the doors or the tracks is that they force them open when they get stuck. You should never do this, even if you are in a hurry. As mentioned above, you could bend the track so that it never works smoothly again, even when you bend it back. You could also cause the sliding closet doors to jump up and out of the track, making them completely inoperable until they are put back. Written by the staff of JustDIYDecor.com For another related article about the home go to Small closet organization ideas Just DIY Decor Click here for more about the home and lots more
Related Articles -
sliding closet doors, closet doors, closet, home,
|