Door Handle Replacement
It's worth it to replace door handles if you don't like the way they look, or if they are difficult to use. With a little patience, you can put in a new handle in no time.
The majority of modern door handles come with cover plates that conceal the screws to create a stylish appearance. If the new handle doesn't have them already connected, you'll need to attach them separately.
Remove the old handle
Door handles aren't just an important for their aesthetic value to your home but they're also vital for safety since they let you lock and unlock your door. As time passes, the door handle may become loose or feel loose. It may be beginning to appear aged and worn. This is a sign that it's probably time for a replacement.
If your door handle is becoming difficult to use, it may be time to replace it. This is a problem since it means you can not lock or unlock your door which could pose an security risk to you and your family.
It is also an excellent idea to replace the handle on your door if it is damaged or broken. A damaged or broken door handle can be dangerous, particularly for children and elderly family members who might struggle to open it. They could be trapped. It's simple to replace a damaged handle on a door.
Modern door handles are usually standard sizes and should be able to fit any door. If you are not sure if your new door handle will work, take off the old one and measure its housing holes. This will allow you to purchase the correct size door handle.
The easiest way to take off the handle from your door is to remove it from the door. This is usually done using a screw driver. Some door handles come with a cover plate which hides the screws used to mount them. You'll need to remove this to get to the screws. Once you've removed your old handle, take an outline of how the spindle is positioned to ensure you are able to align it when you fit the new one.
You can also remove the door handle by removing it from the latch mechanism. This is usually done using a screwdriver but you'll need to find the small latch, which should be at the edge of the trim piece. After you have removed the latch, take off the handle and the strike plate. Then, remove the latch from the edge of the door.
The Strike Plate
You'll have to replace your latch plate when you replace the handle. It's the part that holds the hole where the latch of the door hooks when the door closes. The new handles will have two latch plates which are a circular and a rectangular plate (see the above diagram which shows the various parts of the door handle). If you have an rectangular latch plate, replace it with an oval one. This will allow the latch to hook onto the strike plate, making the handle easier.
The first step is to loosen the screw that's holding the latch plate in place. The screws are usually quite tight and require a lot of force to loosen them. door handles repair near me might be beneficial to get a second person to assist in this area if it is possible.
The latch plate should easily lift itself out of the door after the screws have been removed. If it's stuck or won't move then use a small nail file to scrape the edges of the latch plate. This will sometimes free the plate.
Now you can prepare the new strike plate to be installed. Using the screws made of wood that were included with your new handles, screw the latch plate to the inside of the doorjamb. Be careful not to tighten too much the screws, as this may damage the strike plate.
If you're not sure whether the latch plate is in its correct position, shut and open the door to determine whether it latches and closes correctly. If not you'll need to adjust the strike plate up or down, or even forward or back until the door closes and latches properly.
If the door is still moving or jiggling, then it may be necessary to expand the hole for the latch in the strike plate. This is more common for older doors, but could also be caused by wear and tear hinge mortises that are not deep enough or not the right size for the latch, or due to damaged or broken strike plate that is damaged or broken. If this is the situation, follow the same procedure to adjust the strike plate, using the use of a metal file instead an hammer and chisel.
Take off the Latch
The latch is the angled metal piece that slides in and out of the hole that runs along the inside edge of your door. When you turn the handle, it pushes the latch forward and allows you to open the door. It also hooks in a hole on the door frame to ensure that the door is closed. If your door wobbles when you close, a new latch may be the only thing needed to fix the problem.
It's difficult to identify the screws that hold the latch to the door, but there's usually a tiny slot on the trim plate that permits you to insert a screwdriver and remove it. After you've removed your trim plate, it should be simple to remove the latch as well as the remaining bolts that hold the spindle and latch in place.
If the latch cannot be easily removed using a paperclip or tool to take it off the handle mechanism. Place the item into the recessed latch slot and then gently twist or jiggle until you feel the that the latch and handle are beginning to break off. It may take this several times before the latch becomes loose enough to pull out.
It should be possible to slide the new latch into its slot without issues once you have removed the old one. Make use of the new screws to attach the latch to the strike plate or door frame. Make sure it is correctly positioned in the slot, and aligned with the screw chambers.
Before installing the new handle, make sure to measure your current backset (the distance from the center of the big hole on the front surface of the door to the edge). You should also check whether the size of the latch on the new handle matches the measurement of your existing handle.
You'll require a new lock cylinder if you're replacing the handle and latch or your existing one is damaged. If you're not changing locks, the new latch should fit in your existing recess, and work just fine with the keys you have currently. Pick a latch that has rectangular cover plates to match your existing handles.
Remove the cover plate
Door handles may begin to look worn over time, but if you replace them with a modern lever-on-rose design, it's an easy and quick DIY project to decorate and will enhance the overall appearance of your home. You can purchase complete sets of door handles that come with matching escutcheons and privacy adaptor kits.
To replace the door handle inside remove the cover plate (or rose), which protects the screws and the inner mechanism. Look for a release tab on the plate, and use a flathead screwdriver to remove it from the knob. It could have an opening along one side or be held in place by a pin.
Once the cover plate is off take the screw that holds the interior handle in place, and then set it aside. Take off the screws that hold both the inner and outer plates. You can loosen them with the help of a Philips Screwdriver. Take the inner plates and latch from the door. Place them aside.
Not all doors have this gap. If yours isn't have a handle, you'll need to drill a new hole through the door. The process for doing this is similar to the procedure for opening a door with a lock, but you'll have to be extra careful to avoid damaging the door or frame.
Installing new door knob screws is necessary after holes have been drilled. Choose the same dimensions as your old screws to ensure that you don't get a handle too tight or loose. Installing a new strike rod and latch is also required. They aren't included in most door handle sets.
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