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Aligning the Bolt and
Strike Plate |
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When a door fails to latch
properly, it usually means the door is out of alignment.
Often, the latch bolt is not dropping smoothly into the
center of the strike plate.
If the latch bolt is too low or too high, the problem
usually can be corrected by shimming a hinge to realign
the door. If the alignment is fine but the door still
won't shut, the door may be warped.
Suspending the door between two sawhorses and weighing
down the center may counteract the warp, but you should
think about buying a replacement door. |
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 Fix and
tighten any loose hinges and test the door. If the latch
bolt still doesn't catch, you can fix any minor alignment
problems by filing the strike plate until the latch bolt
fits. |
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 Check the
door for a square fit. If the door is badly tilted, remove
the door and shim either the top or bottom hinge to
correct the problem. |
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 If
necessary, you can raise the position of the latch bolt by
inserting a thin cardboard shim behind the bottom hinge.
To lower the latch bolt, shim behind the top hinge. |
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RELATED PROJECTS
Freeing a Sticking Door
Installing a Security Lock |
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