Can you feel a draught when you hold the back of your hand close to the edge of your front door? If so, then you are losing a lot of heat. So, it’s important to get the door fitted correctly.
Before you do anything though, check that there isn’t a simpler problem with the door. This could be dirt or stones obstructing the bottom of the door, preventing it from closing correctly.
Simply brush them away and see if that makes a difference. If it doesn’t then yes, you’ll need something in the door realigned (whether that’s the latch, hinges or the door itself needs reframing). You can tell when a door is loose in its frame as it will rattle when pulled.
If your door is warped – and some cheaper uPVC doors can do this – then there is no point making any adjustments. It’s time for a new door.
A uPVC door and frame will always fit perfectly since they are produced as a pair. However, over time and with plenty of use, hinges, latches and screws can all come loose. If the latch is the problem then it’s just a case of readjusting it so that it once again fits neatly in the frame. And below we describe how to do that in four easy steps.
Before you go ahead though, read the words of an expert locksmith: @multipointlocks: “Don’t just get the toolbox and start attacking your door. First of all, check the manufacturer’s warranty on your door – is it still valid? If so, then any work that you attempt on your door could invalidate that guarantee.
“Once you’re sure that you won’t be voiding a guarantee, try and figure out the issue before you begin. There’s nothing worse than dismantling a door and realising that you’ve misdiagnosed the issue.”
DIY guide to fixing a door latch
Step 1
Open the door and find the latch. This will be opposite the locking mechanism on the inside of the door frame itself.
Step 2
Untighten the latch a little with a screwdriver. Do this by loosening the top and bottom screws around the same amount. Don’t unscrew the screws fully as it can be difficult to put them back in correctly.
Step 3
When loose, the latch will be easy to move around. Bring it forward a little and tighten the screws. Don’t bring it forward too much as this could damage the door.
Step 4
Now try and shut the door. If you do this and the door feels secure you’ve done your job. If not though, you’ll need to try a little more readjustment. Just keep moving the latch along little by little until you get the perfect fit. It’s worth persevering as it really does make a huge difference to the warmth of your home – and your utility bills.