Warped door most likely cause of irregular gap

Q. A pocket or sliding door in my home does not work properly. Initially, the door became ''cocked'' and although it closed completely, there was an irregular gap between door and frame. Have the hangers suspending the door become misadjusted? Can you suggest any way to correct the problem short of cutting open the wall? Kenneth F. Babcock Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

A. Likely a warped door, not the hangers, is the culprit.

Remove the door from its hangers. Check it for straightness. My guess is that you will find it ''cocked,'' warped from the beginning.

If this perception be correct, buy and rehang a new straight door. You should find the new door sliding freely in and out of the unchanged pocket.

If you have a question on maintaining your house, send it to the real-estate editor, The Christian Science Monitor, One Norway Street, Boston, Mass. 02115. Forrest M. Holly is a longtime California builder now living in Arizona.