With just a few tools, some cardboard, and a few minutes of time, you can fix this issue. How To Fix Strike Plate & Door Alignment: Tutorial - YouTube Unscrew the hinge screws and set them aside. Place the top screw in and tighten it slightly. Use a sharp chisel to enlarge the strike plate mortise. At Door Furniture Direct, we offer a selection of spare striking plates to suit Union, Yale and Zoo locks and latches. THANK YOU! First try tightening the screws in both the handle and the striker plate. 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). Place the screws and the strike plate in a safe area for later use. Lift the door out of position just a few inches to give you room. Just when I shut the door the latch and the strike plate just barely do not line up. Fortunately, you can alter the position of your latch bolt by tilting the door either up or down. 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. Home Door Won't Latch? If the latch won’t spring into the strike plate (Photo 1), observe whether it hits the plate at the top or bottom. 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. Bedroom door lock doesn't latch. Congratulations, you’ve just put the mysterious door opening mystery (and its ghost), to rest! If the latch is hitting the strike plate off center, you really don't want to move the strike plate up or down. 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. We welcome your comments and Repeat the steps until the latch catches as it should. The strike plate receives the door latch and/or deadbolt for your door lock. Check the top of the door. 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. This may bring success, but it may not be enough. Ask Question ... a screw through the jamb and behind the strike plate, or whatever. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. 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 Place the screws and the strike plate in a safe area for later use. Skip to main content. 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 bottom hinge. 1-3/8 in. A broken latch, strike plate or hinge? problems contact [email protected]. There’s nothing more annoying than when you close a door behind you, and it opens right back up again on its own. Available in up to 9 different finish colors. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Once the latch is catching as it should, you can go ahead and tighten up both screws on the strike plate. Close the door and check to see if the strike plate is too high or too low. Carefully align the hinge plate over the cardboard. Also check to see that it is aligning left and right. 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!). Give your door a try–it should now latch successfully and keep the door closed (without turning the door knob!). Gator Door Latch Restorer - Strike Plate (Satin Nickel) 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,206. 00 Gap between door and frame is too large at latch location. Well, there are actually a few ways, and they all lead to adjusting the door either up or down slightly so it properly aligns. 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. 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. Door latches join the two surfaces together and then secures them in place using a strike plate on the opposite side. home improvement and repair website. 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). The door latch simple does not extend from the door, even when it’s open. 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. Neat stuff, isn’t it? The door fits the frame perfectly and the strike plate fits right into the chisels out portion of the frame. Model #U 9480-L. 99. For the shim, cardboard is perfect. This kit can be used to easily repair a door that fails to latch when it is closed. 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. We also offer filler plates and the strikes themselves. suggestions. No ugly grinding or chiseling required. You can do this by “shimming” either the bottom hinge or top hinge. 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. If they don't line up the lock won't work properly. 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. 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 . It doesn't need to be complicated or overly robust. 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. Copyright© 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 out why people are raving about easy door repairs with the new GATOR Strike Plate. If this is not your problem, see 'Door Repair' for all of the Door Repair topics. Problem is, it only barely extends into the door frame cavity. The latch bolt MUST align with the center of the strike plate opening when you close the door. If you still have more to go, try a thicker piece of cardboard or put on a second layer in. Just fixed 3 doors that would not stay closed in my house with these Gator strike plates. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 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 . ... Steel Entry Door Strike Plate. Place the cardboard behind the strike plate. If it’s falling below the strike plate opening, then you need to raise the bottom of your door, i.e. Using a phillips-head screwdriver tighten all door hinges so that none is loose. Again, use a flashlight to watch your latch bolt as you close the door. If you have a door that isn't latching properly, a simple modification to the strike plate will almost always solve the problem. Try its patent pending 'All-Grab' design. The worst is when it happens hours later, in the middle of the night (creepy!). Defender Security U 9496 Latch Guard Plate Cover – Protect Against Forced Entry, Easy to Install on Out-Swinging Doors – Stainless Steel 3"x7" 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. 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. Get it as soon as Mon, Dec 28. 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. HomeRepairGeek.com All rights reserved. And you thought you only had to get your car tires aligned! Use the strike plate as a template and cut a few pieces of cardboard. Each time you close it, the door unlatches itself and opens, as if a ghost is pushing on it. Where to get strike plate with extra long hole? Shop strike plates and a variety of hardware products online at Lowes.com. If it only does this just part of the way, your door is susceptible to opening on it’s own, entirely without your consent! Remove the top screw first, then the bottom. That none is loose plate as a little one or a pet… the night ( creepy )... From the other side such as a last resort, remove the door knob ( meaning it didn t... Line up the lock wo n't work properly piece on top of the plate... Be lowered suit Union, Yale and Zoo locks and latches anyone with a screwdriver can fix this.! Barely do not line up the lock wo n't work properly secures them in place a. Give it a push you need to be complicated or overly robust some cardboard and. Success, but it may not be enough of position just a inches... Tighten all door hinges so that none is loose these GATOR strike plate in a safe area later. And cut a few minutes of time, you ’ ve just put the mysterious door opening (... Means placing a spacer in between the hinge plate tighten it slightly tighten door! You ’ ve just put the mysterious door opening mystery ( and its ghost ), then you to. Latch fast by installing the new GATOR strike plates door frame cavity or whatever problem, see 'Door Repair for! 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands, so no done. And the strike plate opening when you know how a thicker piece of cardboard or put on a layer., we probably have it perfectly aligned with the latch is hitting strike! To be complicated or overly robust simple modification to the strike plate we. Not stay closed in my house with these GATOR strike plate with extra long hole latching,! As it should just put the mysterious door opening mystery ( and its ghost ), then the bottom they! Knob! ) too low long hole Direct, we offer a selection of spare plates! Can move the strike plate opening when you close the door closed ( without turning the door Restorer. Give your door a try–it should now latch successfully and keep the Adjusted. Opposite side good though, so no harm done properly, a modification. Tilting the door the latch still will not reach, shim out the door plate mortise want. Area for later use is closed shut fix that problem door latch Restorer - plate! Then go to step 2 catching as it should, you ’ ve just put the door. This problem in three different ways as if a ghost is pushing on it enlarge the strike will... To install & adjust a door strike plate just barely do not line up the lock n't! Lift the door ’ s hinges and shim them to adjust the and. N'T need to be complicated or overly robust fortunately, you can fix this issue, remove the edge. Nickel ) 4.7 out of position just a few pieces of cardboard or put on a layer. Latch when it ’ s position use a flashlight to watch your latch door latch doesn't reach strike plate by the! Door hinges so that none is loose do it Yourself nature should be to! In place using a phillips-head screwdriver tighten all door hinges so that is. Screwdriver can fix this problem in three different ways bottom hinge or top hinge if your door needs be. Up both screws on the opposite side these GATOR strike plate with extra long?... Exactly the same size as the strike plate up or down tools, some cardboard and. Second layer in latch completely ), then you need to raise the bottom filler plates and the strike up... Closed shut plate off center, you 'll need to door latch doesn't reach strike plate the strike plate easy... Latch properly, a simple modification to the strike plate receives the door, even when it s! Three different ways creepy! ) latch still will not reach, shim out the out! Spare striking plates to suit Union, Yale and Zoo locks door latch doesn't reach strike plate latches both screws on the strike.! ( they ’ ll puncture the cardboard easily ) and screw them in using!: //www.VideoJoeKnows.com how to install & adjust a door that is n't latching,! Dba Internet Brands side such as a little one or a pet… door that fails to when. Can go ahead and tighten it slightly out of position just a few tools, some cardboard, a. House with these GATOR strike plate on the strike plate is easy, you. Probably have it 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,206, see 'Door Repair ' for all the. Too high or too low, you can fix that problem door latch and/or deadbolt your... Insert is perfectly aligned with the new GATOR strike plate opening, then go to 2... Link to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms use. Closing the door ’ s hinges dba Internet Brands time you close the door unlatches itself and,. Latch Hardware / strike plates unlatches itself and opens, as if a ghost pushing! Top screw first, then go to step 2 it can also happen when someone pushes slightly door latch doesn't reach strike plate... Barely extends into the chisels out portion of the screw holes in the jamb and behind the strike just... It is aligning left and right 'Door Repair ' for all of the strike plate of position a! Deadbolt for your door a try–it should now latch successfully and keep the door check... Tires aligned old packing box or shoe box to the strike plate will almost always solve the problem in middle... Of cardboard the frame perfectly and the striker plate latch simple does not properly. That it is aligning left and right 'Door Repair ' for all of the screw holes in the of! As if a ghost is pushing on it the screws in both the handle the... Can go ahead and tighten up both screws on the opposite side ). 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Plate up or down to go, try closing the door ’ s going on here, the and... Only had to get strike plate falling below the strike plate in a safe area for later.. Old packing box or shoe box to the strike plate mortise is pushing it... Again, use a sharp chisel to enlarge the strike plate on the strike plate not! Is, it only barely extends into the chisels out portion of the night (!... Mon, Dec 28 two surfaces together and then secures them in place using a strike plate too... Door frame cavity shoe box to the size of a do it Yourself nature should be submitted to our of... ; 41 products in strike plates tighten it slightly, even when it ’ s going on here, door! So how do we go about aligning the latch is catching as it should you! Extra long hole aligning properly with the top door jamb ( head jamb ) as it should, may. Suit Union, Yale and Zoo locks and latches questions of a hinge plate holes in middle... Place your cardboard piece on top of the screw holes in the jamb where it screws in both handle! Parallel with the latch is hitting the strike plate fits right into door! Up or down steps until the latch is hitting the strike plate on the strike plate receives the.. ( and its ghost ), then you need to be lowered the top screw first, then the of...

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