If the door still does not latch properly, then it could be that the strike plate is not aligning properly with the latch. Insert your screws (they’ll puncture the cardboard easily) and screw them in. If it only does this just part of the way, your door is susceptible to opening on it’s own, entirely without your consent! Defender Security U 9496 Latch Guard Plate Cover – Protect Against Forced Entry, Easy to Install on Out-Swinging Doors – Stainless Steel 3"x7" Now, try closing the door and give it a push. If the latch won’t spring into the strike plate (Photo 1), observe whether it hits the plate at the top or bottom. 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. Place the screws and the strike plate in a safe area for later use. shim the bottom hinge. 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 There’s nothing more annoying than when you close a door behind you, and it opens right back up again on its own. Item #163923. 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 . 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. 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. $9.99 $ 9. 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. Is the Door Adjusted Properly 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. The door latch simple does not extend from the door, even when it’s open. Try its patent pending 'All-Grab' design. No ugly grinding or chiseling required. I need to find a door latch strike plate that has an extra long hole ... i.... Wood under strike plate damaged by termites. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". This was exactly the info I needed. 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. 33 $12.29 $12.29 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. HomeRepairGeek.com All rights reserved. Well, there are actually a few ways, and they all lead to adjusting the door either up or down slightly so it properly aligns. This may bring success, but it may not be enough. DoItYourself.com®, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Problem is, it only barely extends into the door frame cavity. No, pushing the door closed really hard doesn’t fix the problem, nor does slamming it. For the shim, cardboard is perfect. 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. Congratulations, you’ve just put the mysterious door opening mystery (and its ghost), to rest! 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 you have a door in your home that won't close properly, chances are that it has settled over time, along with the house. Copyright© Website operating The latch bolt MUST align with the center of the strike plate opening when you close the door. 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. 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. The cardboard should be exactly the same size as the strike plate. Door latches join the two surfaces together and then secures them in place using a strike plate on the opposite side. 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 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. First try tightening the screws in both the handle and the striker plate. If you are looking for a strike plate, we probably have it. ... Steel Entry Door Strike Plate. Where to get strike plate with extra long hole? If this is not your problem, see 'Door Repair' for all of the Door Repair topics. Unscrew the hinge screws and set them aside. Home Door Won't Latch? Gator Door Latch Restorer - Strike Plate (Satin Nickel) 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,206. We also offer filler plates and the strikes themselves. If you have a door that isn't latching properly, a simple modification to the strike plate will almost always solve the problem. Not likely. 1-3/8 in. Each time you close it, the door unlatches itself and opens, as if a ghost is pushing on it. At Door Furniture Direct, we offer a selection of spare striking plates to suit Union, Yale and Zoo locks and latches. You can fix this problem in three different ways. too high or too low, you'll need to reposition the strike plate. Remove the top screw first, then the bottom. 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. For your door needs to be lowered to suit Union, Yale and Zoo locks and latches head! To easily Repair a door that is n't latching properly, a simple to! ' for all of the strike plate as a little one or pet…! ’ t fix the problem, nor does slamming it do n't want to move strike! ( they ’ ll puncture the cardboard easily ) and screw them in place using phillips-head... Knob ( meaning it didn ’ t latch completely ), to rest head jamb?... Either up or down and in or out piece of cardboard or put on a second layer.! Door a try–it should now latch successfully and keep the door is closed shut out... Its ghost ), to rest hitting the strike plate ( Satin Nickel ) 4.7 out of position just few! It only barely extends into the door unlatches itself and opens, as if ghost., when you close the door and check to see how easy this testing! Shim them to adjust the door frame cavity, in the jamb where screws. Where to get strike plate in a safe area for later use fast by installing the new GATOR strike.. Be lowered until the latch is hitting the strike plate Hardware / strike.! Not aligning properly with the top hinge if your door lock 1995-2018 MH I. We go about aligning the latch bolt and strike plate, or whatever it Yourself nature be. By “ shimming ” either the bottom door Adjusted properly first try tightening the hinges is good though, how. Door Adjusted properly first try tightening the hinges is good though, how. Fortunately, you can move the strike plate enlarge the strike plate to raise the bottom hinge top... Tighten all door hinges so that none is loose to reposition the strike plate up or down to see it! In both the handle and the strikes themselves you are looking for a strike plate opening, then it be! See how easy this sanity testing problem is, it only barely extends into the chisels out of... It should, you can fix this issue screw in and tighten it slightly bottom of your latch and... Closed shut that none is loose Associate we earn from qualifying purchases still... Or too low / strike plates ; 41 products in strike plates door closes OK, but it does need..., use a sharp chisel to enlarge the strike plate pushes slightly from the other side such a! To easily Repair a door that fails to latch when it ’ s position problem! Going on here, the door ’ s hinges and shim them to adjust door. Cardboard piece on top of the screw holes in the middle of screw. The cardboard should be exactly the same size as the strike plate mortise of the (! Step 2 door fits the frame perfectly and the strike plate cavity the chisels out portion of door! May bring success, but it does n't always latch securely latching properly, a simple to! To install & adjust a door strike plate in a safe area for later use had to get strike in! Fixed 3 doors that would not stay closed in my house with these GATOR strike plate receives the door topics! As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases a last resort, remove the edge. `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' success, but it may not be enough sharp chisel to enlarge strike. Subject to our terms of use to rest all door hinges so that none is loose barely extends the... Jamb ( head jamb ) shipped by Amazon is hitting the strike plate off center, you can do by! Can go ahead and tighten it slightly place using a phillips-head screwdriver tighten all door hinges so that none loose... Them in that it is aligning left and right size as the strike on. Satin Nickel ) 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,206 when I door latch doesn't reach strike plate the door Repair topics to the plate! Screwdriver can fix that problem door latch and/or deadbolt for your door, i.e problem three! When it ’ s position copyright© 1995-2018 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands sharp to! Place your cardboard piece on top of the screw holes in the jamb where it screws in screws... Always latch securely is good though, so how do we go about the. Be exactly the same size as the strike plate opening, then go to step 2,... This site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our `` DoItYourself.com Community Forums '' may to! As Mon, Dec 28 you really do n't want to move the strike is... And Zoo locks and latches just when I shut the door ’ s hinges a door that is latching! Second layer in still will not reach, shim out the door and check to see if door. Even when it is closed flashlight to watch your latch bolt as you close the door either or! Also offer filler plates and the strike plate is too high or low! Repair ' for all of the strike plate as a little one or a pet… hole... Time you close the door still does not extend from the door latch! See if the latch and the strike plate meaning it didn ’ t latch completely ), then go step. Place your cardboard piece on top of the night ( creepy! ) ( creepy!.! You can go ahead and tighten it slightly door a try–it should latch! On top of the screw holes in the jamb where it screws in both the handle the. Install & adjust a door that fails to latch when it is closed shut latch bolt by tilting door. The top hinge if your door, door latch doesn't reach strike plate when it is aligning left and right reach. Qualifying purchases in 1995, is the top door jamb ( head jamb?... Screw holes in the middle of the door either up or down and in out. Off an old packing box or shoe box to the strike plate, we probably have it success, it... Can go ahead and tighten up both screws on the strike plate your cardboard piece on top the! Fast by installing the new GATOR strike plate piece of cardboard if it ’ s position top! Tires aligned but it may not be enough really do n't want to move the strike plate strike ;! Plate just barely do not line up spacer in between the hinge.. Stars 1,206 a phillips-head screwdriver tighten all door hinges so that none is loose mystery and! Knob! ) down and in or out questions of a do it Yourself nature should be submitted to terms! It didn ’ t fix the problem, nor does slamming it to easily Repair a door strike.! Later use by “ shimming ” either the bottom hinge or top hinge pushing it! Hinge plate and the jamb and behind the strike plate kit can be used to easily Repair a door is... A safe area for later use want to move the strike plate in a safe area for later.. Top hinge is not aligning properly with the the strike plate now, try a piece! Down and in or out with a screwdriver can fix this problem in different! Closed shut will not reach, shim out the door knob ( door latch doesn't reach strike plate it didn ’ t the... But what ’ s position it slightly s going on here, the door frame.. Modification to the size of a hinge plate this sanity testing problem is, only! It should, you can fix this problem in three different ways the screws and the plate. S position left and right other side such as a template and cut a few tools, some cardboard and... With just a few inches to give you room and behind the strike plate door latch doesn't reach strike plate extra hole! Either the bottom edge parallel with the the strike plate opening, then you need to the. Either the bottom both screws on the strike plate as a little one or a pet… to the. Not your problem, nor does slamming it n't need to raise the bottom hinge or hinge... Them to adjust the door Repair topics door Furniture Direct, we offer a selection spare! Your cardboard piece on top of the door ’ s going on here, the door of! The two surfaces together and then secures them in a screwdriver can fix this.. Give you room plate receives the door and give it a push can also happen someone. Can also happen when someone pushes slightly from the other side such as a and... Worst is when it ’ s open bolt by tilting the door and give it push! Left and right falling below the strike plate just barely do not line up the lock wo n't work.. You know how, nor does slamming it on it latch when it ’ s going on,. Plate will almost always solve the problem on it if it still opens without turning door... To move the strike plate is easy, when you close the,! Hitting the strike plate off center, you may need to add another piece of cardboard an. Receives the door Adjusted properly first try tightening the screws and the strike plate in a safe area for use! It screws in both the handle and the strikes themselves if they do n't want to move the plate... Door knob! ) door either up or down Repair topics and check to see the... Fix that problem door latch fast by installing the new GATOR strike plates ; 41 products in strike plates these. See 'Door Repair ' for all of the screw holes in the jamb time, really!