We have a solid oak door between the kitchen and the utility room.

The door was bought by us, brand new and with no holes for the handle
and latch mechanism.
It was fitted by our builders as part of an extension that we did
several years ago, and unfortunately it appears that the
handle/mechanism were not fitted/installed correctly - too far from the
edge of the door.

When the door is shut it is almost impossible to open it using the
handle, as the latch does not retract far enough (hardly any) into the
door when the handle is pushed down all the way. This has been the case
since it was fitted, so it is definitely not caused by a recent failure
of the mechanism.

Trying my best to explain, but happy to send photos/video if unclear.

Any idea how to resolve this please?

On 28/05/2020 17:11, JoeJoe wrote:
We have a solid oak door between the kitchen and the utility room.

The door was bought by us, brand new and with no holes for the handle
and latch mechanism.
It was fitted by our builders as part of an extension that we did
several years ago, and unfortunately it appears that the
handle/mechanism were not fitted/installed correctly - too far from the
edge of the door.

When the door is shut it is almost impossible to open it using the
handle, as the latch does not retract far enough (hardly any) into the
door when the handle is pushed down all the way. This has been the case
since it was fitted, so it is definitely not caused by a recent failure
of the mechanism.

Trying my best to explain, but happy to send photos/video if unclear.

Any idea how to resolve this please?
Take the handles off and check whether the square shaft is a good fit in
them - if loose then replace the shaft or pack the holes with something
rigid. See if the latch retracts enough if you turn the shaft with a
spanner or pliers - if not decide whether to replace the latch or
increase the rebate for the receiving plate (or whatever its called).

On 28/05/2020 17:11, JoeJoe wrote:
We have a solid oak door between the kitchen and the utility room.

The door was bought by us, brand new and with no holes for the handle
and latch mechanism.
It was fitted by our builders as part of an extension that we did
several years ago, and unfortunately it appears that the
handle/mechanism were not fitted/installed correctly - too far from the
edge of the door.

It is surely too near to the edge of the door if it protrudes too much.

If it is one of those cheap and nasty die cast things then it is worth
checking that the square hole in it is still intact. I had my main front
door fail that way with the initial symptom being hard to open followed
by impossible to open because the casting fractured.

If it is sound then you may be able to improve things by shimming the
existing square bar or swapping it for a slightly fatter one. Some nicer
ones are actually adjustable which is worth checking.

When the door is shut it is almost impossible to open it using the
handle, as the latch does not retract far enough (hardly any) into the
door when the handle is pushed down all the way. This has been the case
since it was fitted, so it is definitely not caused by a recent failure
of the mechanism.

If it was like that from new then they didn't fit it properly.

Trying my best to explain, but happy to send photos/video if unclear.

Any idea how to resolve this please?

Simplest solution might be to sink it 0.5mm more into the door - enough
that the catch works cleanly but not enough to need to move screw holes.

Or alternatively move the plate it mates with slightly further away.

Do check the internal mechanism first.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

Probably be best to tackle it on the doorframe side than have to move the
actual lock considering the holes are now drilled. I simply recessed the
part of the locking plate a bit more so it could clear the latch when fully
retracted.
Brian

--
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"JoeJoe" wrote in message
...
We have a solid oak door between the kitchen and the utility room.

The door was bought by us, brand new and with no holes for the handle and
latch mechanism.
It was fitted by our builders as part of an extension that we did several
years ago, and unfortunately it appears that the handle/mechanism were not
fitted/installed correctly - too far from the edge of the door.

When the door is shut it is almost impossible to open it using the handle,
as the latch does not retract far enough (hardly any) into the door when
the handle is pushed down all the way. This has been the case since it was
fitted, so it is definitely not caused by a recent failure of the
mechanism.

Trying my best to explain, but happy to send photos/video if unclear.

Any idea how to resolve this please?

On 28/05/2020 17:11, JoeJoe wrote:
We have a solid oak door between the kitchen and the utility room.

The door was bought by us, brand new and with no holes for the handle
and latch mechanism.
It was fitted by our builders as part of an extension that we did
several years ago, and unfortunately it appears that the
handle/mechanism were not fitted/installed correctly - too far from the
edge of the door.

When the door is shut it is almost impossible to open it using the
handle, as the latch does not retract far enough (hardly any) into the
door when the handle is pushed down all the way. This has been the case
since it was fitted, so it is definitely not caused by a recent failure
of the mechanism.

Trying my best to explain, but happy to send photos/video if unclear.

Any idea how to resolve this please?


What kind of latch is it?

e.g. a surface fitted one, a traditional mortice one, or a modern
"tubular" one?

I have noticed that as the mechanism wears (especially on budget
latches) the amount of bolt retraction can reduce.

Probably also worth taking the handles off and seeing if you can retract
it by turning the shaft with pliers. If not, time for a new latch.


--
Cheers,

John.

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The tubular latches sold at Toolstation for about 90p are not very good, get one of the ones that costs about £3.50 they are MUCH better - money well spent!

wrote :
if not decide whether to replace the latch or increase the rebate for the
receiving plate (or whatever its called).

Last week I decided the our inner kitchen door latch inner handle,
leading to the outside, was becoming a bit worn. I had a couple of
spares, but of the wrong 'hand'. I decided the simple fix was to swap
kitchen door inside handle for the utility inside one, which was
identical. No one ever goes in the utility room and closes the door
behind them. Might you be able to make a similar swap?