Residential Locksmith New Carrollton, MD

This homeowner in New Carrollton, MD, had been struggling with the knob on their kitchen screen door for some time, so they called MacArthur Locks & Doors for professional help. One of our residential locksmiths came to check out the issue. We saw that the old passage door knob tended to stick. It was of lower quality, which is often the case with conventional screen door locks. We suggested replacing it with something higher-quality and durable. Installing this Schlage passage door knob was not difficult, thanks to its snug fit into the hole. The homeowner was very pleased with our quick repair job and promised to call us again for any locksmith services needs.

It is not uncommon to replace screen door handles. Unfortunately, the cheap handles frequently included with basic screen doors can deteriorate or break with time. However, before assuming you need to replace your screen door handle, try some simple repairs first. You can often fix the handles instead of replacing them entirely.

The Best Way to Fix a Screen Door Handle

Tightening the Handle of a Screen Door

Door handles can often become loose over time, which can cause doors to become difficult to open and close. To fix this problem, start by removing the handle from the door. For handles with exposed screws, loosen the screws and remove the handle. To remove handles that do not have exposed screws, loosen the set screw with an Allen key. Next, take a flathead screwdriver and gently remove the cover plate, revealing two Phillips screws. Tighten these screws.

With a Phillips screwdriver, tighten the exposed screws on both sides of the handle. Check it out and see if it functions better. If there is further damage on the handle, you may need more than just tightening screws, such as getting a new one altogether.

Adjust the Strike Plate

One potential problem with door knobs is the handle not properly engaging with the latch. You can remove the handle and adjust the striker plate in this case. To do this, loosen the screws holding the plate, then remove and reposition the plate. After screwing it back in, test to see how well the door closes.

Reinstall the Latch

Another common problem with screen doors is incorrect latch installation, such as upside-down latches. In most cases, you need to push down the handle to open the door, so ensure your latch is installed properly. Otherwise, you will need to remove it and reinstall it correctly.

Do a quick check to see whether your push button is sticking when you open your door. First, unscrew it half a turn, as it occasionally happens when screws are tightened too much. Then close your door and see whether that solves the problem.

Install a New Level

First, assemble the outer part and insert the center spindle. Then, screw in the new assembly. Finally, replace the old strike plate with the new one that came with the kit, ensuring it is compatible with the new latch.

Guide For Replacing Screen Door Handles

To replace a screen door handle:

• Start by measuring the old one or taking it to the hardware store to get an exact replacement.

• Remove the old handle from the door by unscrewing it from the three mounting holes.

• Screw in the new handle and latch, ensuring it is firmly in place.

With the right tools, this process should only take about 10 minutes.

One way to determine which type of handle you need is by measuring the distance from the edge of your door to the middle of one of the vertical holes. The new handle should be able to work with that space. 

Locksmith Near Me

At MacArthur Locks & Doors, we understand how frustrating and inconvenient a malfunctioning lock can be. Although, you can rest assured that our expert locksmiths will quickly resolve the issue. With our trained and experienced residential and commercial locksmiths, we can handle any locksmith needs. So give us a call today, and let us take care of everything.