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Derek Geldard Derek Geldard is offline
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Default Internal door handle, deadlatch does not fully retract

On Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:04:09 +0100, "Falco"
wrote:

Devany wrote:
On an internal door, the deadlatch does not fully retract into the
door when the handle is turned. It protrudes about 5mm and fouls the
strikeplate when trying to open the door.

There are several of these in my house which are starting to get right
on my nerves.

What is the problem?


They are simply worn.

I guess I could chisel out the strikeplate, but I know I'm crap at
doing that. Shouldn't the deadlatch retract fully? I can't see that
wear and tear would affect it that much. Would a new handle fix it?


Don't bother digging the chisel out of the tool box, just find out whether
it's the handles or latch that's worn and change the offending item - or
both handles and latch if you wish.


It'll be the mortice latch mechanism which has worn. They are made of
**** poor cast metal and not lubricated during manufacture.

Screwfix sells them very cheaply and cheaper still in 10 off
quantities, also the sheds have them.

Unfortunately at some time in the recent past they went from Imperial
to Metric, they look the same but by golly they're not the same so
most probably you'll still need to get it out (your chisel, that is)
so best do them all whilst you're at it.

Generally the problem doesn't result in people getting stuck behind a
locked door, but a similar problem on a bathroom lockset has resulted
in people getting locked in the loo three times here.

Derek