How to Remove Pocket Door Hangers

Pocket doors are many homeowners' favorite space-saving device, until it comes time to remove the pocket door hangers. What makes pocket doors so wonderful is that they literally disappear into a pocket in the wall. What makes removing pocket door hangers so miserable is that they are located in a pocket inside the wall and you will have to go through the wall in order to remove them. It is not as bad as it sounds, done correctly the wall will need a minimal repairs when you are done.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Pry bar
• Flashlight
• Drywall saw

Instructions

1. Remove the stop at the base of the door frame. If your pocket door pulls out of the right side of the wall (as you stand facing it) then the stop will be located on the lower left corner of the door frame. The stop is only a small rubber or wooden block screwed into the frame to prevent the door from hitting the opposite wall. Remove the center screw and then remove the stop.

2. Pull the pocket door out past where the stop was. Grabbing the bottom of the door, lift up and then pull toward you. The pocket door will lift out of the bottom and top tracks and you can pull the door out of the frame.

3. Carefully pry any trim from the doorway on the pocket side using a pry bar. Remove the trim and place it aside.

4. Using a flashlight, look into the pocket and find the screws attaching the pocket hanger to the stud frame in the wall. Once you have an idea of where they are, cut a hole through the wall with a drywall saw. This will allow you access to get a screwdriver in to remove them. Try to remove the least amount of wall as possible.

5. Remove the screws attaching the pocket hanger to the stud frame. Remove the screws attaching the top and bottom tracks to the floor and stud frame. Pull the entire pocket hanger out of the doorway and wall.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut a hole slightly larger than your shoulder in the center of where the screws attaching the pocket hanger to the stud frame are. This is the simplest and least destructive form of access that will allow you the greatest reach inside the wall as you will be able to turn and move your arm naturally in the space.

• Pocket hangers are typically made of metal; use caution when pulling them from the wall as their edges are sharp and can cause serious injury.

References

• Cutting a hole through the wall

Resources

• Where did that pocket door come from?