Troubleshooting common door handle problems can be overwhelming. Your handle may not work because it’s drooping or the interior parts keep getting jammed.
Whatever the reason is, we’ve got you covered. This article will tell you all you need to know about “how to fix the door handle?”
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How to Fix the Door Handle that keeps falling off?
Before summoning your inner handyman and grabbing your toolbox, It’s crucial to identify the exact problem first to save time and effort.
Several reasons may stop your door handle from functioning correctly. It can be loosened screws or a problem with the interior parts. The good news is both problems don’t require changing your favorite door handle. Let’s examine this in more detail.
How to Tighten a Door Handle? Hidden screws and more
Loose door handles are one of the most manageable problems to fix. All you have to do is tighten the screws that started to wane. This is often done with an Allen (or Hex) key. The screw might be hard to find as it can be quite small.
However, if you are trying to fix a loose door handle on rose—handles fixed on a plate that covers the screws—you’ll need to remove the covering plate carefully and secure the handle. To do so:
-Remove the lever handle or knob. Often door handles will have a hole on the lever’s or knob’s side. Pushing inside the hole will release the handle so that you can access the snap-on cover.
-Depending on the shape of the hole, use a flat tip screwdriver or a small pin wrench to push inside the hole.
-Push until you feel the lever catch spring compress—you may need to pivot the screwdriver or the wrench back and forth slightly.
-When you feel the handle is starting to release, slowly withdraw the screwdriver while sliding the lever/knob handle off the spindle.
-If the snap-on cover isn’t tightly secured, you can remove it using your hands by just rotating it. However, you’ll need to use a screwdriver to remove it if it’s fully fixed.
-Underneath the rose cover, you’ll find a notch. Place your screwdriver into it and pull outward to remove the cover. Put a flat metal piece under the notch to ensure you don’t scratch your door.
-After removing the cover, you’ll be able to access the screws and tighten them.
-Install back the snap-on rose cover and the lever handle or knob. You may apply a small amount of grease on the lever catch to make the handle installation easier.
If the lever handle doesn’t slide easily, you’ll need to depress the lever catch using a pin wrench. That’ll help you slide the handle over the lever catch until it locks.
How to Fix a Stuck Door Handle?
If your knob or lever handle turns, but you can’t still open the door, it’s probably a latch bolt problem.
A spring-loaded latch is responsible for the locking mechanism of doors. When you turn the knob, it disjoints the latch bolt from the strike plate—the metal plate with a cut-out hole—to open the door.
Before you decide to replace your faulty bolt latch, you can try the following method to fix it:
First, remove both doorknobs by loosening the screws. If you can’t see any screws, remove the circular plate by twisting it. You’ll find the screws underneath.
Then, unfasten the mounting face screws from the faceplate (the metal plate which holds the latch bolt into the door).
Take the latch bolt out of the door. Use a screwdriver to unlock the cam drive units: A rotating circular piece on the latch assembly that moves the latch inward when you turn the knob.
Next, test if the latch is unstuck by inserting and rotating the knob into it.
Spray a lubricant on all of the inner parts of the door handle.
Install back the latch bolt and both doorknobs; however, don’t put any screws back. Check if they’re working well in the door first, then mount all the screws.
How to Fix a Locked Deadbolt?
Deadbolts get stuck for different reasons. You’ll need to troubleshoot if the problem is in the key cylinder or the doorjamb. (the place where the deadbolt goes into the wall)
Fix Key Cylinder Problem
To detect the problem in the key cylinder, just open the door, and use your keys to move the deadbolt. The problem might be in the key cylinder if it doesn’t move smoothly. You’ll need to call your local locksmith to change the broken key cylinder.
However, try the following solution before replacing your key cylinder.
-First, try your spare key. If it operates just fine, that means the old key is worn out.
-Another solution is to lubricate the key cylinder. Spray silicone or powdered graphite to grease the key cylinder. Don’t use oil; it’ll pile dirt into the keyhole, eventually blocking it.
If neither of the above solutions works, the problem might be in the deadbolt. To fix this:
Detach both doorknobs.
Place the screwdriver into the rotating circular unit, and try moving it.
If the rotating unit is stuck, push the protruding metal part on top of it using a screwdriver until it starts to loosen.
Insert the screwdriver back into the circular unit, and turn it to lock or unlock the deadbolt.
Close the door and test it a few times before putting back the doorknobs.
Fix Dead Bolt Doorjamb Problems
After testing your keys and the deadbolt still gets stuck, the problem is in the measurements of the strike plate. Aligning the deadbolt with the strike plate is simple. You just have to remove extra wood from the hole in the strike plate.
The easiest way to make the adjustments is:
-Put chalk, lipstick, or anything that will leave a mark on the deadbolt.
-Close the door and lock it.
-Unlock the door and open it.
-The deadbolt will leave a mark on the extra wood pieces.
-Using a small file or a carving knife, cut the marked area.
Close the door and lock it to test if the measurements are correct.
Conclusion
The key to knowing how to fix the door handle is to identify the exact problem first. Some of the problems are easily fixed, like loosened door handles.
You can also check your door sealant while you are working on it.
Other problems require getting a bit technical, like replacing deadbolts or latches. Just remember, if things get too tricky, it’s okay not to fix it yourself and call an expert.
We have discussed how you can fix your doorframe here.
