Hold the strike plate in the proper position and drill new 1/16-inch holes to accommodate the screws. Double check by standing on the hinge side of the door and close it until the latch bolt just hits the strike plate. Consider equipping the door knob from each side with a door silencer like Latchy Catchy to prevent the latch from engaging and making any noise. If the plate is too close, try tightening the door's hinges to provide more clearance on the lock edge of the opening. A sharp chisel should be used to enlarge the indented section that holds the strike plate. Check the exterior side and make sure any writing is upright. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Adjusting the strike plates will align latches. To shim the hinges, remove the screws from one hinge, then slide a layer of cardboard between the hinge and the door frame. If the latch seems too low, that's usually because the door has sagged. Adjust accordingly. too high or too low, you'll need to reposition the strike plate. £2.39 to £5.39. If the gap along the side of your door is so large that the latch won't catch or barely catches, adjusting the strike can reduce the gap to ensure proper operation. A strike plate is a piece of hardware that works with a lock to keep a door secure. If the latch is off by 1/8 inch or less, remove the strike plate from the door jamb and enlarge the hole slightly with a file. When a door latch doesn’t click into position, it usually means the latch and the strike plate are out of alignment. Use self-sticking vinyl weatherstripping to line the door frame, positioning the weatherstripping along the door stop all the way around the frame. You’ll notice that the metal will be worn where the strike hits; if this worn area doesn’t line up with the middle of the strike plate, … Door can be pushed open. If they don't line up the lock won't work properly. If the latch won’t spring into the strike plate (Photo 1), observe whether it hits the plate at the top or bottom. Is the lipstick line too low, or too high? First try tightening the screws in both the handle and the striker plate. If the mark is too low, raise the latch by tightening the hinges at the top of the door. If the latch seems properly centered on the plate, perhaps it’s sticking on … A common problem that we see with interior doors is that they seem to close OK but don't latch. Repeat the steps until the latch catches as it should. Fully Insured - General Liability and Workers' Compensation. Door Lock Doesn’t Latch Properly. Repairs range from making minor latch adjustments to repositioning the door. If the latch is centered on the strike plate, it would rule out those problems. We need to update our siding on our home, are there many options available for vinyl siding? Defender Security U 9496 Latch Guard Plate Cover – Protect Against Forced Entry, Easy to Install on Out-Swinging Doors – Stainless Steel 3"x7" 4.6 out of 5 stars 200. When a door doesn’t latch properly, it's usually because the door has sagged in the opening, making it so the strike doesn’t line up with the hole in the jamb of the door, called the strike plate mortise. Place the top screw in and tighten it slightly. By shutting your door, you can mark the point on the door frame that latch is coming in contact with. There is a pretty easy way to determine where the door latch is hitting the strike plate. 26. Close the door and test the fit. If the mark is more than 1/8 inch above or below the strike plate … Bedroom door lock doesn't latch. Back Next . This article describes a trick to relocating holes like this, by fill in the old holes and fix the problem. Some simple door and hardware adjustments can help you narrow the gap along your door to maintain security and avoid unwanted air leaks. I seen the edge strike not being cut in too. Copyright © Mr. Handyman, All rights reserved. Some services are subject to state and local licensing and may not be available at all locations. Rip a piece of lumber that's 1/4 inch thicker than the door using a circular or table saw. Click here for our precautionary measures. Start by rubbing red lipstick onto the edge of the deadbolt. To know if that’s the case, you can typically just look at the strike plate to get an idea of whether or not things are lined up properly. Is the Door Adjusted Properly. If the gap on your door exceeds this standard clearance, your door may fail to latch, leaving you vulnerable to security and privacy problems. Free postage. First, shut the door and take a look at how far off the strike plate is in order for the latch barrel to align with the plate hole. If it hits too high or low then the door lock won’t latch. If tightening the hinges doesn't help, measure the misalignment of the lipstick marks on the strike plate. All locations are individually owned and operated. Mr. Handyman of Wheaton-Hinsdale offers a wide variety of services to keep your home looking and performing at its best. Gator Door Latch Restorer - Strike Plate (Satin Nickel) 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,206. 10 $26.99 $26.99. To make your doors close quietly lube up the door latch with a lubricant like WD-40. Gently tap the chisel into the outline until the marks are about 1/8 inch deep. Image Credit: Debbie Williams Place the cylinder assembly through the door edge hole. Plane or sand the door to smooth out the joint, then paint or stain the entire door to achieve the desired finish. Then it would be a matter of the door not pushing tight enough for the latch to drop into the strike plate hole. Unscrew the strike and slide cardboard shims behind it, then screw it back in place so the screws pass through the cardboard. She received her LEED accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council in 2008 and is in the process of working towards an Architectural Hardware Consultant certification from the Door and Hardware Institute. If necessary, remove the door's hinges and adjust them to reposition the door. If you have a door in your home that won't close properly, chances are that it has settled over time, along with the house. A strike plate -- the metal plate affixed to a doorframe with an opening for a door latch or deadbolt -- that needs repair will show itself when the door lock's latch bolt misses the hole in the strike plate, or when the door won't stay latched or closed. Door latches join the two surfaces together and then secures them in place using a strike plate on the opposite side. – Jack Nov 17 '14 at 16:41 This can be caused by the shifting and settling of wood frames over time. You may have to add multiple layers. If the door still doesn’t catch, grab a flashlight and study the way the door latch (the flexing part operated by the door handle) hits the strike plate. Or is the gap between the door and strike plate too wide? You should first test the door latch to ensure the latch is sticking inside the door and not due to a misaligned strike plate. Reinstall the Strike Plate. State and local laws may impact the services this independently owned and operated franchise location may perform at this time. Remove enough material so that the strike plate sits even with the door frame. Coat the end of the latch with either Make sure any writing is upright this moves the door has sagged chisel should be used to enlarge strike... 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