Bathroom door swings open!

17 years ago

The bathroom door on a 1920's bungalow does not stay shut. The latch from the doorknob does not reach the strike plate and the only way to keep the door closed is to lock it from the inside. The hinges on the door and the frame are painted over too.

How do I fix this door that does not stay closed? I guess that this is a two part question too since I would like the latch to reach the strikeplate.

Thanks,

T

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Comments (3)

Carol_from_ny
17 years ago
Sounds like your house has settled. SOME settleing is natural but too much may be signs of bigger problems.

Painted over hardware can generally be removed and cleaned by boiling the hardware in hot water in a old pan that you will not be using for cooking. Once it's boiled for a few minutes careful remove it and the paint should peel off. You may have to repeat the process several times.

Your latch might just need a little help. You can cut a piece of cardboard the same shape of your strikeplate and place it underneath your plate it MIGHT give you just enough distance to help you properly close your door.
sombreuil_mongrel
17 years ago
Hi,
Latches that don't reach the hole in the strike can be fixed by filing the hole bigger. Sometimes the strike plate has been painted often enough to have closed the hole in, so by removing the paint buildup, the problem is solved.
The latch itself may be bent, which can be fixed by taking the lock out of the door (if it is a mortise lock) opening the case, and taking out the latch. It can then be straightened with a hammer or pliers.
Hinges can wear out, allowing the door to move downward (often seen on bathroom or exterior doors where excessive moisture promotes rust)
Hinge screws can loosen, allowing the door to sag away from the strike.
Occasionally the settling has moved the meeting points too far apart for filing- in that event, the strike plate can be moved.
I hope these suggestions give you someplace to start analyzing the problem.
Casey
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dainaadele
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Don't forget the coats of paint on the door itself. I had a door which had so many coats of paint on the door and frame, that even though the hinges had not been painted, the layers of paint acted as a wedge, making the hinges unable to fold completely closed.

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Bathroom door swings open!

Comments (3)

Carol_from_ny

sombreuil_mongrel

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