You can usually see that it’s either slightly above or slightly below the center of the strike plate opening as it attempts to latch. Close the door and test the fit. Okay, so how do we go about aligning the latch bolt and strike plate opening? 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. Also check to see that it is aligning left and right. The latch bolt slides through a hole in a flat piece of metal called a strike plate that is attached to and covering a hole in the door jamb. If the latch won’t spring into the strike plate (Photo 1), observe whether it hits the plate at the top or bottom. Place the top screw in and tighten it slightly. With just a few tools, some cardboard, and a few minutes of time, you can fix this issue. The idea is that for a door to latch properly, the latch bolt must make its way completely through the strike plate opening and rest snugly in the latch bolt hole. Find out why people are raving about easy door repairs with the new GATOR Strike Plate. 99. and 1-3/4 in., Fix-A-Latch Strike Plate Repair Kit, Stamped Steel, Brass Plated Finish, White Plastic Base This Fix-A-Latch, strike plate repair kit This Fix-A-Latch, strike plate repair kit is constructed of stamped steel and white plastic components and it comes in a brass-plated finish. Model #U 9480-L. Now, try closing the door and give it a push. No ugly grinding or chiseling required. A broken latch, strike plate or hinge? This was exactly the info I needed. $9.99 $ 9. Smaller than other variations of locks meaning these tubular latches can be fitted with much less effort and minimal cutting and drilling of the door. Extended strike plates, T strike plates, safety strikes, full lip strikes, ANSI strike plates, ball catch strikes, electric strikes, door bolt strike plates. Problem: there is a big gap between the side of the door where the lock is and the frame of the recess, so that the lock latch doesn't reach the strike plate to keep the door shut. Find a ... / Door Latch Hardware / Strike Plates; 41 products in Strike Plates. Shimming just means placing a spacer in between the hinge plate and the jamb where it screws in. It doesn't need to be complicated or overly robust. 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. Remove the top screw first, then the bottom. problems contact webmaster@doityourself.com. One quick way to compensate for the misalignment is to get a file and file down the bottom of the strike plate opening where it meets the hole in the door jamb. Storm door latch set silver finish For all out swinging doors 1" to 2" thick Mounts 1-3/4" center to center Inside latch & solid strike included Converts to locking unit with Ideal's SK8 See More + Storm door latch set silver finish For all out swinging doors 1" to 2" thick Mounts 1-3/4" center to center Inside latch & solid strike included Converts to locking unit with Ideal's SK8 If it sags one way or the other, then this is usually another clear sign that the door is out of alignment and won’t latch correctly. Don’t feel bad though…as it turns out, the latch bolt missing its target is actually a common problem that, in most cases, is a simple issue of door misalignment. Now, if you’re daring enough you can actually get a flashlight, bend down to where you’re eye-level with the door handle and watch the latch bolt as you close the door. 2. Remove the top screw first, then the bottom. If the door has become misaligned, and the latch doesn't match up with the hole in the strike plate, follow these 5 steps to solve the problem: 1. Use a sharp chisel to enlarge the strike plate mortise. If the latch is hitting the strike plate off center, you really don't want to move the strike plate up or down. This bolt is called a latch bolt (fitting, since its job is to latch a door closed and unlatch a door to enable opening it!). Now, place your cardboard piece on top of the screw holes in the jamb. Prime-Line Products K 5004 Prime-Line Resilient Spring Strike Plate, for Use with Rigid Interior Latch, Aluminum, Painted, Black 4.5 out of 5 stars 199 $5.00 $ 5 . 1-3/8 in. The door latch simple does not extend from the door, even when it’s open. Door Security Plate, Door Reinforcement Plate, Dual Security Strike Plate, Door Security Devices with 5-1/2 inch to 6 inch Hole Spacing's On Latch and Deadbolt, Between Door Jamb and Door … The strike plate is the small piece of metal on the door frame where the latch from the key rests when the door is closed. Well, there are actually a few ways, and they all lead to adjusting the door either up or down slightly so it properly aligns. Read on to learn this special trick you’ll want to use on every door not latching closed in the house…your friend’s house…your neighbor’s house…(you get the point). Neat stuff, isn’t it? And you thought you only had to get your car tires aligned! Repeat the steps until the latch catches as it should. Just fixed 3 doors that would not stay closed in my house with these Gator strike plates. The strike plate receives the door latch and/or deadbolt for your door lock. suggestions. Once the latch is catching as it should, you can go ahead and tighten up both screws on the strike plate. Problem is, it only barely extends into the door frame cavity. Door can be pushed open. Remove the Strike Plate. Skip to main content. Bedroom door lock doesn't latch. If the latch does not reach the strike plate, shim out the plate, or add another strike plate on top of it (remove the screws and run them through both plates). Sure, you could do this yourself each time you close the door, e.g., lift up on the door as you close it to force the latch bolt up into the latch bolt hole, but let’s do the right fix and do it one time! The latch bolt slides through a hole in a flat piece of metal called a strike plate that is attached to and covering a hole in the door jamb. home improvement and repair website. To ensure our content is always up-to-date with current information, best practices, and professional advice, articles are routinely reviewed by industry experts with years of hands-on experience. Is the top edge parallel with the top door jamb (head jamb)? DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Simply cut a piece of cardboard off an old packing box or shoe box to the size of a hinge plate. We also offer filler plates and the strikes themselves. If it only does this just part of the way, your door is susceptible to opening on it’s own, entirely without your consent! I need to find a door latch strike plate that has an extra long hole ... i.... Wood under strike plate damaged by termites. As a last resort, remove the door’s hinges and shim them to adjust the door’s position. Again, use a flashlight to watch your latch bolt as you close the door. 1. Door latches join the two surfaces together and then secures them in place using a strike plate on the opposite side. Check the top of the door. Shop strike plates and a variety of hardware products online at Lowes.com. Door latch needs repair? The latch part is somehow vertically off by a good half inch or so from fit... tighten up both screws on the strike plate, Wood Door Repair: How to Move the Strike Plate. Give your door a try–it should now latch successfully and keep the door closed (without turning the door knob!). If you are looking for a strike plate, we probably have it. Move the Strike Plate If the latch contacts the strike plate at the correct level but doesn't go in far enough, or if the latch strikes more than 1/8 in. THANK YOU! Try its patent pending 'All-Grab' design. For the shim, cardboard is perfect. Defender Security U 9496 Latch Guard Plate Cover – Protect Against Forced Entry, Easy to Install on Out-Swinging Doors – Stainless Steel 3"x7" You may freely link 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. If the latch is still sticking, you may need to add another piece of cardboard. Lift the door out of position just a few inches to give you room. Tightening the hinges is good though, so no harm done. Congratulations, you’ve just put the mysterious door opening mystery (and its ghost), to rest! The cardboard should be exactly the same size as the strike plate. You can move the strike plate up or down and in or out. Something is wrong in the knob.” I know this is an old post, and I imagine JLI has resolved this issue … This may bring success, but it may not be enough. Place the screws and the strike plate in a safe area for later use. If the door still does not latch properly, then it could be that the strike plate is not aligning properly with the latch. 33 $12.29 $12.29 If it’s falling below the strike plate opening, then you need to raise the bottom of your door, i.e. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. The strike plate sits flush in the frame, and if you move it, you have a gap above or below it where it used to sit, so the adjustment will be noticeable, and unattractive, when the door is open. There’s nothing more annoying than when you close a door behind you, and it opens right back up again on its own. But what’s going on here, the door is closed shut! Home Door Won't Latch? The door latch hits the strike plate: This is caused by a strike cylinder that’s worked loose, or by a loose doorknob. Gap between door and frame is too large at latch location. Gator Door Latch Restorer - Strike Plate (Satin Nickel) 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,206. This kit can be used to easily repair a door that fails to latch when it is closed. Close the door and check to see if the strike plate is too high or too low. http://www.VideoJoeKnows.com How to install & adjust a door strike plate is easy, when you know how. shim the bottom hinge. Just when I shut the door the latch and the strike plate just barely do not line up. Using a phillips-head screwdriver tighten all door hinges so that none is loose. Sort By Featured. Insert your screws (they’ll puncture the cardboard easily) and screw them in. Your problem can be one of two things- either the latch bolt doesn't engage properly with the strike plate on the door jamb, or your dog thinks she's Lassie and has developed an opposable thumb. Website operating Get it as soon as Mon, Dec 28. If you have a door that isn't latching properly, a simple modification to the strike plate will almost always solve the problem. Is the Door Adjusted Properly How To Fix Strike Plate & Door Alignment: Tutorial - YouTube submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Anyone with a screwdriver can fix that problem door latch fast by installing the new GATOR Strike Plate. With just a few tools, some cardboard, and a few minutes of time, you can fix this issue. Available in up to 9 different finish colors. This bolt is called a latch bolt (fitting, since its job is to latch a door closed and unlatch a door to enable opening it!). If you still have more to go, try a thicker piece of cardboard or put on a second layer in. Guaranteed to work, or your money back. You can fix this problem in three different ways. 00 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. The latch bolt MUST align with the center of the strike plate opening when you close the door. Defender Security U 10385 Prime Line Door Strike, for Use with 5-1/2 in and 6 in Hole Spacing's On Dead Latch and Deadbolt, Steel, Satin Nickel 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,145 $7.33 $ 7 . Not likely. If a strike plate is out of place, it can cause annoying problems like a rattling noise when you open and close the door, as well as a wood door that refuses to stay shut. All rights reserved. Unscrew the hinge screws and set them aside. At Door Furniture Direct, we offer a selection of spare striking plates to suit Union, Yale and Zoo locks and latches. All information is provided "AS IS." If this is not your problem, see 'Door Repair' for all of the Door Repair topics. Each time you close it, the door unlatches itself and opens, as if a ghost is pushing on it. Ask Question ... a screw through the jamb and behind the strike plate, or whatever. Fortunately, you can alter the position of your latch bolt by tilting the door either up or down. The door fits the frame perfectly and the strike plate fits right into the chisels out portion of the frame. Carefully align the hinge plate over the cardboard. Use the strike plate as a template and cut a few pieces of cardboard. No, pushing the door closed really hard doesn’t fix the problem, nor does slamming it. You can do this by “shimming” either the bottom hinge or top hinge. The insert IS perfectly aligned with the the strike plate cavity. Place the cardboard behind the strike plate. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. A helper is a bonus here, or you can place an old book under the door to support it while the hinge is off. Shim the top hinge if your door needs to be lowered. too high or too low, you'll need to reposition the strike plate. Place the screws and the strike plate in a safe area for later use. If you have a door that isn't latching properly, a simple modification to the strike plate will almost always solve the problem. 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. Keep reading to see how easy this sanity testing problem is to fix. If it still opens without turning the door knob (meaning it didn’t latch completely), then go to step 2. View our Privacy Policy here. The worst is when it happens hours later, in the middle of the night (creepy!). HomeRepairGeek.com All rights reserved. We all know that when we turn a door handle and close a door, we’re actually making a little bolt about the size of our thumb move into a slightly larger hole that’s been bored out in the door jamb. Item #163923. If the latch still will not reach, shim out the door’s hinges. Copyright© First try tightening the screws in both the handle and the striker plate. Every single article I’ve found assumes the problem is with the strike plate but in my case it isn’t. The thicker the cardboard, the harder it may be to cut, but it could save you from having to use several pieces while packing it out. The dog is always pushing it open. If they don't line up the lock won't work properly. ... Steel Entry Door Strike Plate. We welcome your comments and The idea is that for a door to latch properly, the latch bolt must make its way completely through the strike plate opening and rest snugly in the latch bolt hole. It can also happen when someone pushes slightly from the other side such as a little one or a pet…. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be Where to get strike plate with extra long hole? The only fix I can think of is to remove the plate, chisel a small drop to lower it a 1/4" and remount and hope the new screw holes don't break the tiny space between the old ones. My door closes OK, but it doesn't always latch securely.

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