QA

Quick Answer: Door Latch Won T Retract When Closing

Why does my latch not retract when I push or swing the door shut but will retract when the knob lever is used?

Check to see that the plate on the door frame is actually making contact with the angled part of the latch. It’s possible that due to thermal expansion or contraction of the door or frame, the plate is now striking the latch on the non-angled part causing it not to retract.

Why is my door latch sticking?

According to Elmer’s Lock & Safe, door latches stick for three main reasons: broken internal mechanisms, being jammed and misaligned strike plates. The latch could be jammed due to a buildup of rust or other material, and this is possible if the latch moves the same way whether it is turned or pressed in.

What is a deadlock plunger?

“Deadlocking plunger” (also called “deadlatch plunger” or “deadlock plunger”) is the name of a very important piece of a door lock assembly; it keeps a locked door from being opened with a small screwdriver or credit card.

Why does my door latch not spring back?

If your door handle is not springing back correctly it is likely to be one of a few issues; 1 – The fixings have been overtightened causing the lever bearing to bind against the door face, or causing the door to compress the latch mechanism inside the mortice and stop it from operating correctly.

How do you lubricate a door latch?

The quickest way to do this is to spray WD-40 directly into the keyhole, around the latch, along the tube of a deadbolt and around the handle, and then turning the mechanism repeatedly, spreading the lubricant around inside. You only need to do this once a month or so to keep them all in near-new condition.

Is it OK to use WD-40 on door locks?

The simple answer is you should not use WD40 to lubricate locks. WD-40 is one of the solvent-based lubricants and does not contain any lubricant and over time can make your lock even stickier by gumming the lock up.

Are all door latches the same?

In the United States, there are two common backsets for residential door locks: 2 3/8 inches and 2 3/4 inches. Pack your locks with a 2-3/8-inch or 2-3/4-inch latch, depending on which backset you specify.

What is a dead latch?

What is a deadbolt? It’s a lock you need to use a key with to lock and unlock. Generally deadbolts are installed on doors that already have a doorknob set. The deadbolt adds extra security to the door, essentially a double locked door when no one is home.

What is a spring latch lock?

Spring latches usually fall into one of two categories, as follows: Once the bolt passes a certain point, it will fully extend and quickly lock into the strike plate due to the pressure being released from the spring, securing the door and holding it closed.

What does an auxiliary Latchbolt do?

Auxiliary latch deadlocks latchbolt when door is closed. Inside lever is always free for immediate egress. Latchbolt retracted by knob/lever from either side unless outside is locked by key from either side. When locked, latchbolt re- tracted by key outside or knob/lever inside.

How do you adjust a latch strike plate?

To snug the door up you would move the strike plate toward the center of the door jamb. Move it away from the center if the strike will not seat when the door is closed. For minor adjustments, you may be able to loosen the plate and tap it in the direction you need. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws slightly.

Why is my door handle drooping?

A drooping handle can sometimes be caused by a mortice bar that is misaligned or too long for the door. If a mortice bar is even slightly too long, it will cause the spring to bind when the door handle is fixed to the surface of the door. This can be easily resolved by trimming the mortice bar with a junior hacksaw.

How do you fix a cylinder lock on a door?

How to Fix a Loose Door Lock Cylinder Remove the Lock Faceplate. To fix the loose door lock cylinder, you need access to the set screws holding the cylinder in the lock. Disassemble the Lock to View the Placement of the Screws. Tighten the Set Screws.

Why does my door bounce back?

Check the door hinges Hinges that are too deeply set into the door frame cause the door to sit too close to the frame. In turn, this means that they spring back open either as soon as you close them or after they’ve built up a bit of tension. This tension is slowly released and will cause the door to open slowly.