I had to grind down the latch in an exterior fire code door that divides the kitchen/garage. Because exterior doors have steel frames, they're trickier to adjust, and messing with the hinges usually isn't an option. I've learned to hate doors over the years, you'd think by now someone would've figured something out beyond the 3 hinge standard door, but over time doors are something that haven't evolved much. That being said, grinding down the bottom of the latch usually does the trick.
Thank you! I was almost to the point of tears trying to adjust my strike plate. I didn’t even think about tightening the hinges. I love the wood filler tip, too.
So I was irritated that my brand new barn entry door with jamb did this even when set perfectly level. Then I seen this video and realized most doors need help. Thanks for the video!
Why can't manufacturers just make a strike plate a little over sized to allow for expansion and contraction of wood doors!! It happens on every door in my house when it gets humid. So frustrating.
Schlage makes one that has a little secondary adjustable plate. You loosen a couple set screws, adjust it, and tighten them down again. Hardware stores sometimes carry strike plates that have a larger hole. Otherwise, a Dremel is probably your best bet.
I’m at a newly constructed property and have dealt with this with probably half the units. I bought the Milwaukee m12 die grinder and those rotary bits are worth their weight in gold!
@@ApartmentMaintenancePro if you get one you can switch out the 1/4” collet that it has with a 1/8” collet and use dremel tool bits which are a lot cheaper.
An excellent video.... a good percentage of doors are prepped right from the mill incorrectly, OR installed incorrectly...or BOTH! You covered one of the most common lock issues. The other issue is the quality of lock shown.... c'mon... a 7 dollar lock? But your solution is the exact one I use... BAMBOO kabob sticks are sold in most decent supermarkets..... these are MUCH better than toothpicks or matchsticks. When I need to extend the strike plate up or downward, I change the plate to a T Strike, which is taller... ONE of the screws will land on the old hole. latch will now track down the center of the cutout, allowing for future minor sag.
A good trick if your hinges are pulling free (it's almost always the top hinge); get a hollow-wall/drywall anchor (the kind that looks like a metal cone with a really aggressive spiral thread on it) and sink that into one of the screw holes *behind* the top hinge leaf on the door frame (not the door itself). Make sure the anchor is driven in far enough that it's flush. Then just replace the hinge, and drive a screw right into that anchor. It gives a lot of extra holding force, and is a great fix if a screw hole has wallowed out.
If you were to move the striker plate as mentioned at 2:35 , how would you fill up the old screw hole that will be very close to the new adjusted screw hole?
Those rotary tool bits work wonders but I bought a new DeWalt drill to accommodate the bit. I was able to shave all the metal plates. Fixed all my doors in a few hours. A handyman wanted $550.00 The drill costs $99.00 and bit is $5.00. I did have to replace the bit. I also used a bit for wood to even out the space. Thanks
I'm a locksmith and routinely have to deal with these issues. That's an outrageous price that handyman wanted to charge you. Glad you were able to take care of it yourself for much less. And now you have a good drill to boot!
@@Ghost_Os I hear you. I ended up fixing 4 doors (one door had not closed for years) and now I am working on the 5th. I love this DeWalt drill - it is so easy to use. That estimate was for only for 3 doors. I am a 73F and learning new stuff everyday.
Our house door is unlevel and it dips down(way down) at the top above the knob. You could stick 2 big screwdrivers in between the crack where it dips down. I noticed that when I picked up on the door near the knob it locked better than ever. I tried that before coming here and it works like new batteries. I close the door as designed, lock it, lift up on it, and--you know what--it even gives a click confirmation sound. It never did that before! If I do not lift on it, it will not work.
Ever come across a latch that doesn't push in when it hits the angled part of the strike plate? It lines up right, put the latch stays fully extended, so it can't get into the hole of the strike plate, leaving the door ajar.
I have the fast cap knuckle bender. Its kinda hard to remember how the door moves when you tweak the hinges on door or the other ones on the hinge itself...i usually just use my die grinder and bit to shave down like you did, or if latch wont reach strike plate i add a second strike plate😂
Noticed my voltage is still low at the door bell chime where I have pro power kit hooked up. Does it take a while for the lil battery to charge up to build back up the voltage.
Do you do product reviews? Like for this video, have you ever used that product called Screw it again or that product that is like a rough aluminum foil you stick in a hole?
What about ReSecure Latch 😅. Would love your thoughts on a new door hardware I invented and produced. I'm sure you have ran into the problem of loose door latch and deadbolts for entry doors. @@ApartmentMaintenancePro
@@resecurelatch - I tried searching Home Depot, Lowes and Amazon and didnt find them. Where can they be found and for how much? Im also in the property management like the gentleman of this channel. These would save my techs a lot of time.
It's SO freaking annoying. I spent a lot of money to get a new garage door leading into the house, because I got locked out, was drunk, and kicked the door in, breaking the entire frame. I hired these clowns to come out to replace the door and frame. They did a crap job, and the door kept opening on its own, and my pets would go out in the garage, and run out when I'd come home from work, and open the big garage door. Called the two clowns back that installed the door, and they won't return my call. I had a handyman out, and he tried the things you did, and it still won't stay shut. So I just had a deadbolt installed, and the problem was solved.
Thank for this! I have two doors like this in my house and they were driving me nuts. A quick grind down and they work perfectly. I appreciate you! 👍🏼
I had to grind down the latch in an exterior fire code door that divides the kitchen/garage. Because exterior doors have steel frames, they're trickier to adjust, and messing with the hinges usually isn't an option. I've learned to hate doors over the years, you'd think by now someone would've figured something out beyond the 3 hinge standard door, but over time doors are something that haven't evolved much. That being said, grinding down the bottom of the latch usually does the trick.
You are such a life safer. I have been worried for last 2 days the simple common sense to lift the door worked the trick for me. Million thanks!
It worked! Took me all of 3 mins. Thank so much for this. I watched so many other videos that went on and on and yours made the difference. Thanks!
Thank you! I was almost to the point of tears trying to adjust my strike plate. I didn’t even think about tightening the hinges. I love the wood filler tip, too.
So I was irritated that my brand new barn entry door with jamb did this even when set perfectly level. Then I seen this video and realized most doors need help. Thanks for the video!
Why can't manufacturers just make a strike plate a little over sized to allow for expansion and contraction of wood doors!! It happens on every door in my house when it gets humid. So frustrating.
Schlage makes one that has a little secondary adjustable plate. You loosen a couple set screws, adjust it, and tighten them down again. Hardware stores sometimes carry strike plates that have a larger hole. Otherwise, a Dremel is probably your best bet.
Thank u so much that's the best advice yet I seen on tube for doors that don't shut.
Thanks!
I’m at a newly constructed property and have dealt with this with probably half the units. I bought the Milwaukee m12 die grinder and those rotary bits are worth their weight in gold!
I’ll have to check that out thanks i
@@ApartmentMaintenancePro if you get one you can switch out the 1/4” collet that it has with a 1/8” collet and use dremel tool bits which are a lot cheaper.
Great. Now can you please come to my house and do this 😅
I didn't know Billy Bob Thorton moonlighted as Bldg Maintenance....Learn something new every day.✌😎
Great video, very helpful. After watching I filed down the strike plate opening, problem solved.
An excellent video.... a good percentage of doors are prepped right from the mill incorrectly, OR installed incorrectly...or BOTH! You covered one of the most common lock issues. The other issue is the quality of lock shown.... c'mon... a 7 dollar lock?
But your solution is the exact one I use... BAMBOO kabob sticks are sold in most decent supermarkets..... these are MUCH better than toothpicks or matchsticks.
When I need to extend the strike plate up or downward, I change the plate to a T Strike, which is taller... ONE of the screws will land on the old hole. latch will now track down the center of the cutout, allowing for future minor sag.
A good trick if your hinges are pulling free (it's almost always the top hinge); get a hollow-wall/drywall anchor (the kind that looks like a metal cone with a really aggressive spiral thread on it) and sink that into one of the screw holes *behind* the top hinge leaf on the door frame (not the door itself). Make sure the anchor is driven in far enough that it's flush. Then just replace the hinge, and drive a screw right into that anchor. It gives a lot of extra holding force, and is a great fix if a screw hole has wallowed out.
If you were to move the striker plate as mentioned at 2:35 , how would you fill up the old screw hole that will be very close to the new adjusted screw hole?
Golf tees and wood filler
Thanks for the bit link. I just ordered two. Sucks you can't make your normal in unit videos anymore.
Thanks for the support! I really miss making the vlogs
Ah!! I didn’t think about tightening the hinges 0:53 . Perfect! Thanks!
Worked, thank you, saved hiring a handyman!
Thank you so much -- all I had to do was tighten the hinge screws!
Those rotary tool bits work wonders but I bought a new DeWalt drill to accommodate the bit. I was able to shave all the metal plates. Fixed all my doors in a few hours. A handyman wanted $550.00 The drill costs $99.00 and bit is $5.00. I did have to replace the bit. I also used a bit for wood to even out the space. Thanks
I'm a locksmith and routinely have to deal with these issues. That's an outrageous price that handyman wanted to charge you. Glad you were able to take care of it yourself for much less. And now you have a good drill to boot!
@@Ghost_Os I hear you. I ended up fixing 4 doors (one door had not closed for years) and now I am working on the 5th. I love this DeWalt drill - it is so easy to use. That estimate was for only for 3 doors. I am a 73F and learning new stuff everyday.
@@citticat2 That's the best way to live; never stop learning 🥀🍷
Our house door is unlevel and it dips down(way down) at the top above the knob. You could stick 2 big screwdrivers in between the crack where it dips down. I noticed that when I picked up on the door near the knob it locked better than ever. I tried that before coming here and it works like new batteries. I close the door as designed, lock it, lift up on it, and--you know what--it even gives a click confirmation sound. It never did that before! If I do not lift on it, it will not work.
I wonder how many times you can use that rotary bit on the metal strike plates before it dulls out?
Probably about 100 or so
Thanks mate. All useful and sensible.
If the 4 inch screw doesn’t work I usually just get a longer screw. Works every time.
Ya I don’t keep those on me or around the house at all times, 5-6” screws??
@@ApartmentMaintenancePro lol. I know. I was surprised when I saw that 4” screw not grab.
They do make over sized strike plates , longer holes wise.
Great thumbnail photo!
Ever come across a latch that doesn't push in when it hits the angled part of the strike plate? It lines up right, put the latch stays fully extended, so it can't get into the hole of the strike plate, leaving the door ajar.
Loose hinge. Golf tee. Done! 🎉
I have the fast cap knuckle bender. Its kinda hard to remember how the door moves when you tweak the hinges on door or the other ones on the hinge itself...i usually just use my die grinder and bit to shave down like you did, or if latch wont reach strike plate i add a second strike plate😂
Im gonna get that knuckle bender just to try out :)
Noticed my voltage is still low at the door bell chime where I have pro power kit hooked up. Does it take a while for the lil battery to charge up to build back up the voltage.
Excellent solutions!
That was a good job 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thanks Bobby!!
Do you do product reviews? Like for this video, have you ever used that product called Screw it again or that product that is like a rough aluminum foil you stick in a hole?
I do product reviews but haven’t seen that one yet 👍
What about ReSecure Latch 😅. Would love your thoughts on a new door hardware I invented and produced. I'm sure you have ran into the problem of loose door latch and deadbolts for entry doors. @@ApartmentMaintenancePro
@@resecurelatch - I tried searching Home Depot, Lowes and Amazon and didnt find them. Where can they be found and for how much? Im also in the property management like the gentleman of this channel. These would save my techs a lot of time.
How do u know the latch is too low and that tbe bottom of the strike plate is the problem?
How about an oversized striker plate?
Great video !!! thanks
Thank you 🙏
So why did it come out of alignment
It's SO freaking annoying. I spent a lot of money to get a new garage door leading into the house, because I got locked out, was drunk, and kicked the door in, breaking the entire frame. I hired these clowns to come out to replace the door and frame. They did a crap job, and the door kept opening on its own, and my pets would go out in the garage, and run out when I'd come home from work, and open the big garage door. Called the two clowns back that installed the door, and they won't return my call. I had a handyman out, and he tried the things you did, and it still won't stay shut. So I just had a deadbolt installed, and the problem was solved.
Thank you!
Couldn't you use an electric screw driver with that bit to grind it down?
You could but it isn’t as efficient time wise
Thank you
Wife sees me with my golf clubs ....little does she know I just fixed our door
My door latches, but you always got to make sure it locks
On my 6th video and nothing works.
Same.
Uses tape and doesn’t explain why lol😂
I usually just filed down the latch and done
Me to, except with a rotary tool
@@ApartmentMaintenancePro Yes much quicker, will order that tool soon.
This is just one particular scenario. Better videos elsewhere
Yah I don’t want to do this every season when my house moves
You look like Billy Bob Thornton.