These Are Myths And Facts Behind Door Handle Replacement
Door Handle Replacement
Door handles may seem like a small detail but if you aren't happy with the way they look or find them difficult to use, it's worth replacing them. Installing the new handle on your door is simple if you've got patience.
Modern door handles are often equipped with cover plates that conceal the screws for an attractive appearance. If your new handle doesn't have screws already connected, you'll need to attach them separately.
Removal of the old Handle
Door handles are not only an important aesthetic addition to your home, but they're also vital for safety since they allow you to lock and unlock your door. However, over time the door handle could lose its grip, become loose or start to look old 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 serious issue as you will no longer be in a position to lock or unlock the door which could put your family and yourself at risk.
It is also a good idea to replace your door handle if it is damaged or broken. A damaged or broken door handle can be quite dangerous, especially when your children or elderly family members struggle to open it, and get trapped within. It's easy to replace a damaged handle on a door.
Modern door handles are typically standard sizes and should be able to fit any door. If you're not certain that the new door handle you are buying will work, take off the old one and take measurements of its holes in the housing. This will allow you to purchase the right size door handle.
It is the easiest way to remove the door handle by removing it from the door. Usually you'll need a screwdriver. Some door handles have the cover plate, which conceals the screws used to mount them. It is necessary to remove this to get to the screws. After you have removed the old handle, take note of how the spindle has been connected. This will assist you in aligning the new handle.
You can also remove the door handle by depressing the latch mechanism. This is usually done using an screwdriver however you'll need to locate the small latch, which is located just to the left of the trim piece. After taking off the latch, remove the handle and strike plate. Then, you can remove the latch from the door's edge.
Remove the Strike Plate
If you are replacing the handle, you'll be required to replace the latch plate, which is the hole that 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 illustrates the components of the door handle). If your current latch plate is rectangular in shape, swap it to a round one, so that the latch is able to hook into the strike plate in a manner that makes the handle easier to use.
The first step is to remove the screw that's holding the latch plate that was previously in place. The screws are often quite tight and require a bit of force to loosen them. If you can, it might be helpful to have another person assist you with this task.
Once the screws are removed, the latch plate will slide out of the door easily. If the latch plate is stuck or won't move, use a small hammer to scrape the edges. This may help free the plate up.
Now you can prepare the new strike plate for installation. With the screws made of wood that came with the new handles, screw the latch plate to the inside of the doorjamb. Be cautious not to tighten too much the screws, as this may cause damage to the strike plate.
If you're not sure if the latch plate is in the proper position Try closing and opening the door to check whether it latches and closes correctly. If not you'll have to adjust the strikeplate either up or down or forward or back until the door locks correctly.
If the door is moving or jiggling, then you may need to enlarge the hole for latching in the strike plate. This is more prevalent for older doors, but could also be caused by wear and tear hinge mortises that are not deep enough or the wrong size for the latch, or from a broken or damaged strike plate that is damaged or broken. If this is the situation you can use a metal file instead of a chisel or hammer to adjust the strike plate.
Take off the Latch
The latch is a curved metal piece that slides in and out of a hole on the inside of your door. The latch moves forward when you turn the handle. It also connects to a hole in the door frame to keep the door shut. If your door is wiggles when you close it, replacing the latch may be all that's needed to correct the issue.
The screws that support the door latch are difficult to see, but you can usually insert a screwdriver into a small hole on the trim plate, and then pull the latch off. Once you've removed the trim plate, it'll be simple to remove the latch as well as the bolts that keep the latch and spindle in the position.
If the latch is not easily removed then use a paperclip tool to remove it from the handle mechanism. Insert the item into the recessed latch slot and then gently twist or jiggle until the handle and latch begin to separate. It may take this several times before the latch is loose enough to pull out.
You should be able 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 you install the new handle, make certain to measure your existing backset (the distance from the centre of the big hole on the front surface of the door to the edge). Also, ensure whether the size of the latch on the new handle is a good match to the measurement of your existing handle.
If you are replacing the latch or handle, or if your old lock cylinder is damaged, then you'll require an entirely new one. If you're not changing locks, a new lock should fit inside your existing recess and also work with your existing keys. Make sure you select the latch with rectangular cover plates that match your handles.
Take off the cover plate
You can replace your door handles with a new rose and lever designs to make a difference in the appearance of your house. You can buy complete sets of door handles that come with matching escutcheons as well as privacy adaptor kits.
To replace the door handle inside take off the cover plate (or rose) that protects the screws and the inner mechanism. Use a flathead for removing the plate. It may have an opening on one side or be secured by pins.
Remove the screw holding the handle inside and set it aside once the cover plate has been removed. Remove the screws that hold both the inner and outer plates. You can loosen them by using the help of a Philips Screwdriver. Remove the inner plates and latch from the door. Place them aside.
Most doors have an opening between the jamb of the door and the inner edge of the frame that makes room for a handle, however not all have. If yours does not then you'll have to make a hole in the door to accommodate the new handle. Repair My Windows And Doors for this is the same procedure for opening a door with a lock, but you'll need to take extra care not to damage the door or frame.
After the holes are drilled, you'll need to install new door knob screws. Buy the same size as the old screws to prevent getting a handle that is too loose or tight. It's also necessary to install an additional latch plate and strike rod, which aren't included with most door handle sets.
If you're in search of a reliable replacement for your interior door handle set Try the Amazon's Choice FAERSI two-piece chrome-finished handle set. It's a factory-fit and has received hundreds of 5-star reviews from happy customers. It's a great option to replace damaged or worn door handle hardware inside your Chevy HHR.