How to Detach a Pocket Door

Slide the pocket door back so it's retracted into the wall. Locate any tracks or doorstops on the floor and remove them. If they're screwed into the floor, remove them with a screwdriver. To remove a stop held in place with adhesive, wedge it up and away from the floor with a putty knife or chisel. Take care not to damage the floor as you're doing this.

Run a sharp utility knife around the caulking between the wall and the door frame. Starting at the top of the door, insert a pry bar or crowbar between the frame molding and the wall. Press down on the bar to pry the molding away from the wall. Continue working on the molding until it's been entirely pulled away from the wall. Work your way around both sides of the door frame pulling off the molding.

Pull the pocket door halfway closed. Look up inside the wall at the top of the door and locate the track and wheel assembly. Move on the side of the door so you can't see the wheels, only the track.

Pull the door toward you slowly. On heavy doors, it may help to have an assistant help you by pushing from the other side.

Grasp the pocket door firmly by the sides. Lift up on the door, pushing it away from you. This will dislodge the wheels from the track.

Lower the pocket door slowly to the ground to detach it once free of the tracks.