What Can A Weekly Door Handle Replacement Project Can Change Your Life
Door Handle Replacement
It's worth replacing door handles if you aren't happy with the way they look, or if they are difficult to use. With a bit of patience, you can install the new handle in no time.
The majority of modern door handles come with cover plates that hide the screws to give them a beautiful appearance. However, you'll have to attach them separately if your new handle doesn't have them attached already.
Remove the handle that was previously used
The door handle is not only a decoration for your home it also serves as a safety feature that allows you to lock and unlock the door. Over time the door handle can start to lose its grip or feel a bit loose. It may also begin to look worn out and old. This is a sign that it's time to replace your door handle.
One of the first indications that your door handle requires replacing is when it becomes difficult to operate. This is a problem because it means you can no longer lock or unlock your door, which could pose the risk of security for you and your family.
It's also an excellent idea to replace your door handle if it is damaged or broken. A broken door handle is dangerous, especially for children and elderly family members who may struggle to open it. They could become trapped. It's easy to replace a damaged handle on the door.
Modern door handles are typically standard sizes and should be able to fit any door. If you aren't certain that the new door handle you are buying will work, take off the old one and measure its housing holes. This will help you to purchase the right size door handle.
It is easiest to remove the old door handle by removing it from the door. Usually it is a matter of using a screwdriver. Some door handles have the cover plate, which conceals the screws that mount them. You'll need to remove the cover plate to gain access to the screws. Once you have removed the old handle, make an outline of how the spindle is connected to ensure you are able to align it when you fit your new one.
You can also remove the door handle by removing the latch mechanism. This is typically done with a screwdriver but you'll need to locate the small latch, which is located at the edge of the trim piece. After you have removed the latch, you can unscrew the handle from the strike plate, and then the latch away from the door's edge.
Remove the Strike Plate
If you are replacing your handle, you'll need to replace the latch plate, which is the hole that the door's latch is inserted into when it closes. The packaging that the new handles come in will have two options for latch plates: either a rectangular or a circular one (see the above diagram that outlines the components of a door handle). If you have an old rectangular latch plate, you can replace it with a circular one. This will let the latch hook into the strike plate, making the handle more convenient.
The first step is to take off the screw that holds the old latch plate. The screws are typically tight and require a lot of force to loosen them. If possible, it may be beneficial to have a second person assist with this part.
After the screws have been removed and the latch plate should pull out of the door with ease. If the latch plate is stuck or refuses to move use a small file to scrape the edges. This can sometimes open the plate.
Now, you can proceed to making the new door strike plate for installation. Using the screws made of wood that came with the new handles, attach the latch plate onto the inside of the doorjamb. Do not tighten the screws too much as this could cause damage to the strike plate.
If you're unsure whether the latch plate is in its correct position, shut and then open the door to determine whether it latches and closes properly. If not then you'll have to adjust the strike plate either up or down, or forward or back, until the door closes and latches correctly.
If the door is still moving or jiggles, then you may have to enlarge your latch hole on the strike plate. This is more prevalent with older doors, but could be due to wear and tear, hinge mortises that are too shallow or the wrong size for the latch, or due to a broken or damaged strike plate that is damaged or broken. If this is the situation, follow the same procedure for adjusting the strike plate, using a metal file instead of an hammer and chisel.
Remove the Latch
The latch is a bent metal piece that slides into and out of a hole in the inside of your door. The latch is moved forward when you turn the handle. It also hooks into a hole in the frame of the door to keep the door shut. If your door is wiggles when you close it, replacing the latch might be all you need to fix it.
The screws that hold the door latch are difficult to see however, you can use a screwdriver to make a small hole in the trim plate and pry the latch off. After you've removed the trim plate, it should be simple to take off the latch as well as the bolts that keep the latch and spindle in the position.
If the latch won't come out, try using a paper clip or a tool to spring it loose from the handle mechanism. Place the item into the slot for the latch that is recessed and gently twist it or jiggle until you feel the that the latch and handle begin to split. You may have to repeat this process several times before you are able to pull the latch out.
You should be able slide the new latch into its slot with no issues after you've removed the old one. Make sure that the latch is correctly positioned in the slot and aligned with the screw chambers and then use your new screws to fasten it to the strike plate and door frame.
Before you install the new handle, be sure to measure your existing backset (the distance from the centre of the big hole on the front surface of the door to the edge). Make sure that the size of the latch of the new handle is in line with the measurement.
You'll require a brand new cylinder for your lock if replacing the latch and handle or if your current one is damaged. If you're not switching locks the new lock should fit inside your existing recess, and also work with your current keys. Be sure to select a latch with rectangular cover plates that match your handles.
Removal of the Cover Plate
Door handles can begin to look worn over time, but if you replace them with a modern lever-on-rose designs, it's an easy and quick DIY project to decorate and will improve the overall look of your home. You can buy complete sets of escutcheons, escutcheons, privacy adaptors and escutcheons.
The first step in replacing the door handle inside is to remove the cover plate or rose, which hides the screws and the mechanism within. Use a flathead to remove the plate. It could have a slot along one edge or be held in place by pins.
Remove the screw that holds the handle inside and place it aside when the cover plate has been removed. Remove the screws that secure both the inner and outer plates. You can loosen them using the help of a Philips Screwdriver. Then, take the inner plates and latch plate from the door and set them aside.
Most doors have a gap between the door jamb and the inner edge of the frame that allows for a handle, but not all have. If yours isn't allow for a handle, you'll have to drill a hole in the door. It's the same procedure as opening a door locked however you'll have to be extra careful not to scratch the door's frame or frame.
After the holes are drilled, you'll need to install new door knob screws. Be sure to purchase the same size as the old ones, so you don't end up with an handle that is either too tight or too loose. Installing a new latch and strike rod is also mandatory. These aren't included in the majority of door handle sets.
If you're in search of a reliable replacement for your interior door handle set look no further than the Amazon's Choice FAERSI two-piece chrome-finished handle set. It's a factory-fit and has received hundreds of five-star reviews from satisfied customers. It's a great choice for replacing worn out or damaged interior door hardware on your Chevy.