How To Get A Door To Close and Latch Properly

When you close a door and it just doesn't quite latch it can be very irritating and frustrating. Here's how you can fix this problem:

Doors that don't latch usually have a problem with ATTITUDE or ALIGNMENT (or both).

Let's first address ATTITUDE.

A door's attitude is how it tilts in relation to its hinges -- leaning forward, leaning back, or straight. To check if this is the problem first close the door with you on the side with the hinges visible. Now step back from the door and carefully observe the space between the door and its jamb (the frame surrounding the door). If the space at the top of the door is narrow on the hinge side and wider on the latch side your door has an ATTITUDE problem! To fix this we need to tilt the door just enough to straighten it out. You'll need an impact

wrench and some 3" deck screws with star drive. In the top hinge, unscrew the middle screw and take it out. Place the 3" deck screw in that hole and screw it in -- but not all the way -- stopping when it is about 1/2" away from the hinge. Now, loosen the other 2 screws in

the top hinge, and then drive that middle screw in really hard. This will often be enough to press the hinge into the jamb and correct the door's attitude. Screw the other screws back in, shut the door, and check the attitude. Still have a bad attitude? Take those other 2

screws in the top hinge out completely, and drive 3" deck screws in their place, really hard. This may leave your middle screw sticking out a bit; back it out an inch and then drive it in hard. By now your door will probably have a great attitude, and may close perfectly!

If not, let's now address ALIGNMENT.

A door's alignment is how the door's latch lines up with the strike plate. To check for this problem, close the door just as you did above, while carefully observing what is happening with the latch and the strike plate. You will probably see that the latch is not lining up with

the hole in the strike plate. Notice where the latch is contacting the strike plate AND where it SHOULD be contacting the strike plate. Unscrew the two screws on the strike plate and move the strike plate to where it should be, partially screwing in the top screw. You will

probably need a hammer, a pencil, and a chisel. (If you don't have a chisel a flat head screwdriver will work.) Hit the face of the strike plate with your hammer until that tab that goes into the hole makes a little groove in the door jamb. Then use the pencil to trace the hole in the strike plate on to the jamb. Unscrew the top screw and start using the chisel or screwdriver and the hammer to cut straight into the wood around the hole you outlined, about 1/2" deep. Then put the chisel into the cut at an angle, whack it with the hammer, pop out the wood, until your new hole is formed. Screw the strike plate in with both screws, good and tight, swing the door shut, and enjoy the satisfying click of a properly

latching door!

If you read that and are thinking it's more than you are able or willing to do, no problem! Just call or text me at 732-595-2466, Matt at McHandy Services, and I'm happy to do it for you!