As long as they’re properly installed, your folding door system should function smoothly and the door panels should effortlessly glide down the tracks, allowing them to be folded along the far side of the doorway.

However, from time to time, even the highest-quality folding doors can get jammed up. One day, you go to open them up and you hear a shrill creaking noise followed by a jerky, jolting opening up the door. That’s usually the first sign that something’s wrong. If the door isn’t fixed, then the problem will only get worse with time.

This problem is most often caused when the hinges on your folding door seize up, but may also be caused by problems with the door’s track as well.

In today’s post, we’re going to show you the most common reasons why your folding doors are seizing up and how to fix them. With a bit of quick and easy TLC, your doors should be back to operating like normal in no time!

Why Folding Doors Get Jammed (And How To Fix It)

Unlike a traditional swinging door, your folding door system has a lot of moving parts. Each door panel is connected by a set of hinges, and each panel features a series of pins and rollers that allow the door panels to cruise along the upper and lower door tracks.

The more moving pieces that are in any door system, the higher the chance there is for things to become jammed up or stop working properly. Thankfully, though, most of these issues are simple and easy to fix with regular household tools and cleaning materials.

1) Debris In The Hinges

If you keep your folding door panels open a lot, then they’re going to be exposed to the elements a lot more. This means that moisture, sand, salt, and dust can all get inside of your hinges, causing them to seize up. If you live in a tropical climate or by the ocean, then this can be a particularly annoying problem.

Solution:

Thankfully, the solution is incredibly simple and only requires a bit of WD-40 and an old toothbrush. First, spray some WD-40 on a cloth and wipe around the hinges themselves. This will remove any debris that’s sitting on the surface that could find its way back into the hinges.

Then, spray the WD-40 deep into all of the cracks in the hinges. This will force out any debris and help neutralize dust and smaller debris within the hinges. It will also create a temporary seal that will prevent debris from getting inside in the future.

2) Debris In The Door Track

Sometimes, your jammed door problem might not be coming from the hinges at all. One of the most common causes of a jammed door is that you have debris sitting in the track that the door is supposed to roll along. This can happen from your shoes tracking in dirt or if the wind blows something into the door track.

Solution:

The simplest way to remove the debris from the track is to use the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner. This should be able to suck most of the sand, dirt, and other small debris out of the track. If there’s something jammed inside of the track, then you may want to use a small brush or some tweezers to dislodge it.

3) Rust In The Hinges

Generally speaking, folding door hinges aren’t supposed to rust. They’re usually made using high-quality stainless steel and coated to prevent corrosion. However, with enough time and exposure to the elements, even the best hinges can become victims of rust. Rust can get into your hinges, causing them to expand, and making them seize up.

Solution:

If you see rust, you need to treat it as soon as possible! Otherwise, it will quickly spread and the problem will only get worse. As long as you catch the problem early enough, then the best solution is to spray the hinge with WD-40, brush the surface with a copper wire brush, and then spray a protective anti-rust coating over the hinges.

4) Ice In The Hinges

If your folding doors are installed in an area that sees a lot of snow and ice, then it’s possible that you just have some ice stuck in your hinges. This can cause the hinge mechanism to become stuck and prevent the doors from opening.

Solution:

The best solution for icy hinges is to point a hairdryer at the hinges until the ice starts to melt. If you don’t have a hairdryer, then you can try pouring hot water on the hinge until it becomes free. Unfortunately, in the cold winter months, this can become a regular problem.

5) Improper Lubrication

In some rare cases, your hinges may not have been properly lubricated prior to installation. If they’re not lubricated, then the metal parts may be grinding against one another, causing friction and heat. As you can imagine, this can negatively impact the door’s ability to open and close.

Solution:

As long as the hinge isn’t warped, then the best solution is to apply some white lithium grease in and around the hinges. After applying the grease, open and close the door several times to work the lubricant into the system. If you’re in a pinch, WD-40 will also work; but white lithium grease will last a lot longer.

How To Keep Your Hinges Operating Smoothly

The best way to prevent your hinges from becoming jammed and stuck is to keep them properly cleaned and lubricated. If you use your doors often, make sure to spray and wipe down the hinges with WD-40 at least once a month. This will remove any debris and keep the hinges well-lubricated and moving smoothly.

Do I Need To Replace My Folding Door Hinges?

Generally speaking, a bit of cleaning and lubrication is all your doors need to start operating smoothly again. However, if your hinges have become warped or extremely rusted, then they may need to be replaced. Your best bet is to contact the door’s manufacturer and order the hinges directly from them.