Door Handle Replacement Tips From The Top In The Industry
Door Handle Replacement It's worth replacing door handles if you aren't happy with the way they appear, or if they are difficult to use. With a bit of patience, you can get the new handle in no time. Modern door handles are usually equipped with cover plates that hide the screws for an attractive appearance. If your new handle does not have them already connected, you'll have to attach them separately. Remove the handle that was previously used Door handles are not only important for their aesthetic value to your home, but they're also essential for security as they let you lock and unlock your door. But, over time the door handle could lose its grip, become loose, or look old and worn. This is a sign that it's time to replace the door handle. One of the first signs that your door handle needs replacing is the fact that it is becoming difficult to operate. This is a problem since it means that you can no longer lock or unlock your door which could pose the risk of security for you and your family. It is also a good idea to replace the handle on your door when it's damaged or broken. A damaged or broken door handle can be extremely dangerous, particularly if your children or elderly family members are unable to open it and end up trapped inside. Fortunately, it's fairly simple to fix a damaged door handle by simply replacing the handle that was broken. Most modern door handles are standard size and so they will fit on any door. If you're not certain if your new door handle will work, take off the old one and measure the holes in its housing. This will help you to purchase the right size door handle. It is the easiest method to take off the old door handle by removing it from the door. Usually you'll need a screwdriver. However certain door handles come with the cover plate which hides the mounting screws so you'll need to pry off this to reach the screws underneath. Once you have removed the old handle, make a note of how the spindle is attached to ensure you are able to align it when you fit your new one. You can also remove the door handle by unscrewing the latch mechanism. This is typically done with a screwdriver but you'll need to locate the small latch, which should be on the edge of the trim piece. After you have removed the latch, take off the handle and strike plate. Then, you can remove the latch from the edge of the door. Removal of the Strike Plate When you replace your handle, you'll be required to replace the latch plate, which holds the hole which the door's latch hooks into when it 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 a door handle). If your current latch plate is rectangular in shape, swap it out for the circular one so that the latch hooks into the strike plate in a manner that makes the handle more comfortable to use. The first step is to loosen the screw that holds the old latch plate in place. These screws can be quite tight, and will require some force to loosen. If possible, it may be beneficial to have another person assist you with this task. Once the screws are removed and the latch plate will slide out of the door easily. If the latch plate is stuck or won't move use a small file to scrape the edges. This can sometimes open the plate. You can now move on to preparing the new door strike plate to be installed. With the screws made of wood that came with the new handles, attach the latch plate onto the inside of the doorjamb. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, as this may cause damage to the strike plate. If you're unsure whether the latch plate is in the correct position, close and open the door to check whether it locks and closes correctly. If it doesn't you'll have to adjust the strikeplate up or down, forward or back until the door closes properly. If the door is still moving or jiggling, then you may need to increase the size of the hole for latching in the strike plate. This is more frequent with 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 from damaged or broken strike plate that is damaged or broken. If this is the situation, use a metal filing instead of a chisel, or hammer to adjust the strike plate. Take off the Latch The latch is the angled piece of metal that is able to move in and out of the hole that runs along the inside edge of your door. The latch is pushed forward when you turn the handle. It also hooks in an opening in the door frame to ensure that the door stays closed. If your door shakes when you close, replacing the latch could be all that is needed to correct the issue. It's difficult to see the screws that secure the latch to the door, however there's usually a small slot on the trim plate that lets you to insert a screwdriver and take it off. After removal of the trim plate you should be able to remove the latch and the bolts that hold it in place and the spindle. If the latch cannot be easily removed, use a paperclip or tool to take it off the handle mechanism. Insert i thought about this in the recessed slot of the latch and then gently twist or jiggle until the handle and latch begin to split. You may need to repeat this process several times before you can remove the latch. After the old latch has been removed and the old latch is removed, you should be able to slide the new latch into the slot without any problems. Make sure that the latch is correctly positioned in the slot and lined up with the screw chambers and then use the new screws to attach it to the strike plate and door frame. Take note of the backset (the distance between the center of the large hole on the door's front and the edge) before installing the new handle. Verify that the size of the latch of the new handle is equal to the measurement. If you are replacing the handle or latch, or if your old lock cylinder has been damaged, then you will need a new one. If you're not changing locks, however, a new latch should fit in your existing recess, and work just fine with the keys you have currently. Select a latch with rectangular cover plates that match your old handles. Take off the cover plate You can replace your door handles with a modern lever and rose design to enhance the appearance of your house. You can buy complete sets of escutcheons, the escutcheons as well as privacy adaptors and escutcheons. To replace an internal door handle, remove the cover plate (or rose) that covers the screws and mechanism. Look for an release tab on the plate and employ a flathead screwdriver remove it from the knob. It may have a slot along one edge or be secured by a pin. Once the cover plate is removed take off the screw that holds the inside handle in place and put it aside. You'll also want to remove the screws that hold the latch and plates, which you can do by loosening them using the help of a Philips screwdriver. Then, you can remove the outer plates and latch plate from the door and put them aside. Most doors have a gap between the door jamb and the inside edge of the frame, which allows for a handle, but not all have. If yours does not, you'll need to drill a hole into the door for the new handle. The procedure for this is similar to the procedure for opening a door with a lock, but you'll be taking extra care to avoid damaging the frame or door. Installing new door knob screws is required after the holes have been made. Buy the same size as the old screws to prevent getting the handle that is too loose or tight. It's also necessary to install the new latch plate and strike rod that aren't part of most door handle sets. If you're looking for a quality replacement set of interior door handles, try the Amazon's Choice FAERSI two-piece chrome finish handle set. It's a factory fit and has received a plethora of five-star reviews from satisfied customers. It's a great choice for replacing worn out or damaged door hardware on your Chevy.