How To Fix Storm Door Lock Mechanism

Door lock doesn t latch properly when a door latch doesn t click into position it usually means the latch and the strike plate are out of alignment.

How to fix storm door lock mechanism.

Tighten the hinge screws and then try adjusting the strike plate by loosening its screws and shifting it slightly. Repairs range from making minor latch adjustments to repositioning the door. From there you can either widen the hole both of the wood and metal or you can unscrew the strike and re secure it in the proper position. Connect the piston arm to the new bracket with the piston pin and test the door.

By shutting your door you can mark the point on the door frame that latch is coming in contact with. If it won t lock open the door. Add the new locking mechanism and then re attach to the door. It s the small flat piece of metal on the closing mechanism about the size of a postage stamp that can slide forward and back.

Once this is done you should be able to work the lock as usual. Unscrew the lock from the door and remove the locking mechanism. Clean the rest of the lock and lubricate it with grease. Remove the screws from the latch.

Be sure to position the closer bracket so the angled edge faces the storm door. Remove the lock body from the storm door by pulling down from the top of the casing with your finger or the tip of a flat head screwdriver. Move the latch to the left or right as needed. If the lock body doesn t pop out easily you can also insert a screwdriver into the hole in the door and into the key mechanism to help pry it out.

Replace the screws and tighten. Pry up on it until it comes loose and remove it. Open the door and find the closing mechanism which is the cylindrical tube on the hinge side that prevents the door from slamming shut. In this video i attempt to open a patio door that has got stuck locked.

Shut the door and try to lock it. This provides the required spacing between the door jamb and storm door allowing the closer to function properly. Tap the end of a chisel under the door stop on the striker side of the jamb. The fix a short term fix is to move the strike plate to align better with the stuck door latch.