I’ve Got One Hand In My Pocket Door…
… and the other is prying off trim.
Okay, so I’m no lyricist (I’ll leave that up to Alanis) but here’s an example of our scrappy, learn-as-we-go, figure-this-out-if-it-kills-us approach to home improvement. We usually don’t know what the heck we’re doing, but diving in and giving things the ol’ college try is usually the road to success (and that way we get to gain experience as we go, so we might have a smidge of know-how the next time something needs work).
This is our half bath. It has a pocket door.
The pocket door has been jammed for, oh, about six months. So long that the phrase “Don’t look, I’m peeing” stopped sounding odd and gross. That’s right, it became the normal courtesy warning around here when one of us was too lazy to walk across the house to the full bath (with a functional door to block the view). Yup, we don’t pee in front of each other like nearly all of our married friends who think we’re weird for being so shy. Gotta keep some mystery around here.
Anyway, we knew we had to remedy the door issue before moving in the next few weeks, but why we decided to start it one random Wednesday night at 8:30pm I’ll never know. But we did. Even though we didn’t have the first clue what needed to be done. Thank goodness for Google.
The all-knowing Internet gave us an assortment of potential attack plans. Many of them involved cutting large holes in the wall to diagnose the problem. Sigh. We really wanted to avoid having to re-drywall anything. So we decided to start slower. Like maybe-some-grease-will-do-the-trick slower:
The WD-40 helped, but mostly because it helped us better understand the issue. The wheels seemed to keep popping off of the track because the door wasn’t hanging level anymore. It looked like it sat lower at the back, meaning when you slid it into the wall the bottom corner would catch on the floor, jamming the door and causing the wheels to jump the track.
We noticed there was an adjustable screw on the front set of wheels that could raise/lower that end of the door, helping with our it’s-not-level issue. Only problem was that we had to pry off the trim on the top of the door to access it.
This is where the project started to go crazy and we got tunnel vision when it came to the task at hand (thereby forgetting to take good photos or make any attempt at containing our mess).
We ended up having to take off the side trim too. Just so we could remove the door entirely from the track so that I could walk it out to the garage (in a rainstorm) and saw off about an inch of door on the bottom. Apologies to our neighbors for using a circular saw at 10pm (hopefully the rain and the closed garage door drowned me out).
With the slightly shorter door back inside, we popped it back on the track and… voila! No more sticking. No more jamming into the floor. No more falling off the track. Now we just had to reinstall the trim, caulk some nail holes, and touch up some paint. Our reaction was as follows: did we really just fix it? Without even waking the baby?
Well, I’d say it’s 95% better than it was. If you get all Arnold Scwartzeneger on it and push or pull it too hard/quickly it still jumps off of the track. BUT, now that the door is shorter it’s a zero-tool, three-second fix to lift it up slightly and place it back on track. No trim removal necessary. And the baby didn’t wake up once during deconstruction or reconstruction (even though we were prying and hammering our hearts out). Why didn’t we discover that she’d sleep through noise like that sooner? Either way, good to know.
It’s so nice to have the ol’ pocket door back in business after months of broken-ness (so we can now close the door instead of screaming the ol’ “Don’t look, I’m peeing!” refrain across the house).
And that, my friends, is no small victory.
So that’s really how we problem solve around here. Googling, trial and error, and crossed fingers. Here’s another post about gaining DIY confidence with zero experience as you go. Have you guys had success with the same fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants method? Any other pocket door issues or coups going on? Any other couples who don’t pee in front of each other, or are we the only ones?
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I must say, am loving the horizontal stripes in that bathroom. Looks great. May try this too. How did you do it – did you use a chalk line?
Good job on being resourceful – place is wicked.
Thanks! Here’s the link about that project: http://www.younghouselove.com/2009/06/walking-the-line/
xo,
s
Nope, we pee in private. :)
We have been married for 9yrs and do not pee in front of each other. I’m even weirder cause I rarely pee in front of my kids. They’re only 5,3, and 1yo, but they’ve learned to wait outside the bathroom for the couple minutes I need to do my business. One of the best decisions I’ve made as a mom.
And babies can sleep thru a LOT. It’s amazing.
That is the way we have gone about our home remodel too! Im so glad that we are not the only ones who have no idea what we are doing some of the time!!
http://olivesanddaisies.blogspot.com/
Love this blog! Congrats on all your successes & the new home!
We have been married for just over a year and while he’ll pee in front of me, I won’t in front of him. He operates under the assumption that girls don’t do any of that yucky stuff boys do . . .
We’re also currently renovating the condo he’s owned for 15 years (I’ve been here for 2) and it needs some sprucing up! We did new vinyl tile floors in the entry, kitchen, & bathroom, new paint throughout, I’ve painted ann the bark brown window trim and hung new wood blinds, painted the sliding closet doors, we’ll replace the 5 interior doors, etc. Basically a full cosmetic remodel while living in it. Today we finished scraping the popcorn off the ceilings. Ugh, that was a bear! Not easy but we’re getting through it and learning a lot along the way.
The biggest two lessons: Having the right tools is a huge help and being patient with each other will get it all done!! Keep posting great projects and how to’s; we love them!!
Well done! I’m all for your approach too. I’ll try it myself before I even look for instructions.
May I offer some pocket door installation advice? Never open that pocket door kit while someone is mixing a batch of margaritas. It took 4 people an afternoon – and several batches of margaritas – to install the thing backwards and 4 inches too high, 1 day before the plasterer was scheduled to arrive to encase the thing in a new wall. One individual had to fix it the next day…with a hangover. High, plastered, pocket door: words that shouldn’t be in the same paragraph. Sorry, there are no pictures of the guilty. (PS: I have no memory of anyone peeing with door open, but it could have happened….)
My husband believes…if all else fails, THEN read the instructions (or google). :-) Cheers!
That was quite the amusing morning read. And I’m laughing, because I’m not really clear how yelling out, “Don’t look! I’m peeing!” is less invasive than seeing each other. Too funny!
Hey, ignore your friends. I’ve been with my husband since 1987, and the way we run our marriage is nobody’s business but ours. Ditto for any other marriage that works.
: )
I don’t believe in peeing in front of my fiance either – and we’ve been together 7 years. I firmly believe in keeping some of the mystery alive! In home improvement news, we just removed all our casement windows in our master bedroom for paint stripping and re-sealing. I don’t suppose you have any tips for cleaning brass hinges?
Isn’t it ketchup that naturally cleans and shines brass? Maybe google around for some tips? Good luck!
xo,
s
Totally agree with the not using the toilet in front of one’s partner.
ALWAYS google before you call a repair tech!!! Our stove was on the fritz. I Googled the problem and it turns out the problem is a RECALL, so the repair will be covered for free.
Maybe I’m alone in this, but if there’s any mystery left in our marriage I’d rather it not be what we look like peeing. Eh, to each their own.
On another note, I love pocket doors! They’re so great for small spaces like your half bath. Good tutorial!
WD40 is a lifesaver!
XOXO,
http://outfitidentifier.com/
Definitely, DEFINITELY don’t pee in front of each other. Occasionally with the door open, but only if the other person is far, far away.
I can relate too much to this post-since we’re ever so slowly renovating our house, we’re still without doors-The bathroom entrance has a big thick blanket hanging for a little privacy-You often hear the same phrase when it’s being used! It’ll be a good day when we can purchase and install doors!
I’m kind of cracking up over the peeing with the door closed comments. When I first read your bit about shouting out the bathroom warning, I thought you meant when guests were over and that made me do a double-take. Now reading the comments, I think I’m in the minority… My husband and I rarely close the door. My husband just carries on with conversations and such, hence the rare occasion when I need a little privacy and will shut the door.
We don’t pee in front of each other either, but that’s more at my husband’s insistence than mine. I grew up in a family of 5 kids, and shared a bathroom with my 2 sisters. I’m used to people walking in on me when I’m in the bathroom, particularly someone who has seen me naked already. My husband, however, is an only child, so he gets weirded out at the thought of peeing in front of each other.
I’m a modest pee-er through and through… and PROUD of it! My hubby could care less (although he does close the door when going #2- thank GOODNESS), but that’s just not a position I want ANYONE seeing me in!
I was so distracted by the glorious yellow and white striped walls that I had to go back and read what you actually wrote about! Love those walls!
What is worse to see or to hear the noise of peeing?
Hahah. That’s an epic question. I guess in our house we prefer not to see it…
xo,
s
You guys don’t pee in front of each other? weird. Just kidding, kind of. As for fly-by-seat-of-your-pants DIY projects, we’re attempting to install a window, in the bathroom. Cross your fingers and hang on to your bath towels!
I am amazed that many people think they will keep mistery in a relationship if peeing alone. I guess keeping myself interesting is more issue of having my own life besides that with us as couple/parents, having my own salary, being independent and having my own hobbies.
I can pee next 30 years alone but without this this above I would still be boring person.
Maybe it is more european thing to think naked body is natural and normal?
Keep the mystery in your marriage. I have been married for nearly 30 years and I do not allow anyone in the bathroom with me. Courtsey is a good thing!
Ew. I could never pee with the door open! I am so neurotic that if I am in a public restroom (work included), and it’s quiet, I have to wait until the other person/people leave or I cannot go! Stage fright.
I’m with you…we don’t pee in front of each other either. :o)
And as far as using Google for home-improvement issues, last weekend we successfully repaired a leaky faucet using Google and the knowledge of a friendly Home Depot employee. It was not the smoothest of projects (let’s just say that two light bulbs above the sink were broken due to an unexpected geyser) but we did it and the $10 we spent on parts was considerably less than calling a plumber, so yay for us. :o)
I also hate peeing in front of my husband! I mean, we have been together 8 years (married for 3) and it just skeeves me out. When he goes to pee in my presence, it annoys the hell out of me. Some things needs to be private!
So, how hard would you say it is to remove trim without damaging it? I’m considering replacing some french doors, but I’m hesitating because the casing is original and I can’t find a modern look-alike.
Depends. It can be really easy (pops right off with a crowbar) or pretty tough (our involved hammering the head of a flat-head screwdriver to pop things off since the crowbar method wasn’t working very easily). We definitely didn’t get through without any dings, but since it’s painted white we could easily fill those marks with caulk and repaint for a pretty seamless finish. It’s tougher with natural wood though… but it can be done! It just might not be a one-night thing. Maybe more of a weekend project. Slow and steady wins the race though. Good luck!
xoxo,
s
Peeing should be done in private hahaha.
I love the obscure topic combo! And I’m not afraid to admit it, but I totally met my best friend by sharing a bathroom at a house party in college. If fact she just told the story at my wedding a couple months ago. Guess I’m just a freak in this forum that doesn’t mind peeing in front of strangers (or my husband).
Any downside to having a pocket door as a bathroom door? We’re thinking of one for a half bath that will be off a butler’s pantry. I don’t want to use the bathroom or the pantry space for a swinging door!
(We also close the door while peeing!)
This is the con. They can break and be harder to fix than replacing a hinge on a regular door because you have to remove the trim to access the track. But otherwise they’re amazing space-saving things!
xo,
s
No peeing in front of each other! And NO peeing with the door open! I really don’t want to hear it! :)
We definitely pee in front of each other!
So did your pocket door move at all? Or only to a certain point? The pocket door to the bathroom in my boyfriend’s house still opens and closes but in order to open and close it you have to lift it up (to get it to slide), otherwise it won’t move. I’m not sure then if it’s the same problem you guys had.
I think we might try and fix it over the holidays. We’ll see!
It basically slipped off the track and jammed (so it had to be forced with all of your strength to move instead of easily sliding). Hope it helps!
xo,
s