Doors4685 views

Door latch keeps sticking

<p>We built a house 7 years ago and have a garage door with a lever knob.  The lever knob started sticking when we tried to open the door and this started a couple of years ago.  We thought replacing the door handle would be an easy fix, but that handle started doing the same thing.  We had a handyman come out and spray the parts with WD 40, and add longer screws to the hinge of the door. He said something about the screws they used were not long enough. He only replaced some. It seemed better but started sticking again.  We had a handyman come out yesterday and remove the handle. He sprayed WD40 and added a couple of screws. We have a daughter who pushes the lever all the way down at times, and the thought the screws would help support the internal part of the door.  Seemed better, but sticking again this morning. At this point, not sure if it is coindence of two levers, and try installing a third, or something more with the door itself. There have been a couple of times where it feels like the door "pops" around the hinge area, so wondering if somehow the door is leaning a bit, and this is causing the door to stick. This has only happened occasionally though. </p>

Asked March 8, 2023

2 answers

  • Votes0

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    <p>The issues you're experiencing with your garage door lever could arise from multiple factors. It's not uncommon for problems to persist if they're not correctly diagnosed initially. Here are some suggestions for troubleshooting and potentially resolving the problem:</p>
    <h3>Possible Issues:</h3>
    <ol>
    <li>
    <p><strong>Door Alignment:</strong> A misaligned door could cause the handle to stick. If the door is not hanging perfectly square within its frame, this can cause tension on the handle mechanism.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>Screws and Hinges:</strong> Your handyman mentioned that the screws were not long enough initially. However, simply adding longer screws may not be enough if the door or frame has structural issues. You might need more than just longer screws; you might need larger or thicker screws, or even an additional hinge.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>Mechanism Wear and Tear:</strong> Sometimes the internal mechanisms in the handle itself can wear out, causing sticking. This might be a less likely cause, given that you already replaced the handle once, but it's still a possibility.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>Lubrication:</strong> You mentioned the use of WD-40. While this can be a good temporary fix, you may need to use a more specialized lubricant designed for long-term application on door mechanisms.</p>
    </li>
    </ol>
    <h3>Steps to Fix:</h3>
    <ol>
    <li>
    <p><strong>Check Alignment:</strong> Use a spirit level to check if the door is hanging level within its frame. If not, you might need to adjust the placement of the door within the frame or the frame itself.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>Inspect Hinges and Screws:</strong> Make sure all screws are tightened, and look for any signs of wear or distortion in the hinges. If you see any issues, consider replacing them.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>Internal Door Mechanism:</strong> It might be worth disassembling the door handle and looking at the internal mechanisms to check for wear or misalignment. Sometimes the spindle (the square metal rod that connects both sides of the door handle) might be slightly bent or worn, causing the sticking issue.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>Lubricate:</strong> Instead of WD-40, consider using a silicone-based lubricant designed for door mechanisms. These tend to last longer and may resolve your issue.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>Replace the Handle:</strong> You could consider replacing the handle with a different type of handle or knob, especially if the internal mechanisms seem to be a recurring problem.</p>
    </li>
    <li>
    <p><strong>Professional Assessment:</strong> If you've tried all of the above and are still experiencing issues, it may be best to consult a professional to assess the situation. There may be a structural or mechanical issue that requires expert attention.</p>
    </li>
    </ol>
    <p>Remember to always follow safety precautions while performing any of these tasks. If you're not comfortable with doing these steps yourself, it might be best to hire a qualified professional to assess and fix the issue.</p>
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    Contractor · September 12, 2023

  • Votes0

    <p>If you close and open the door while looking at the opening to see where it's getting stuck you can, A. Adjust the hinges. The fact that the other guy changed the screws means those screw holes where stripped. So the hinges maybe loose or not holding lithe l like they should.  B. Place could of just be settling or settled and the door is just off and checking in a spot or two. You can adjust the door to the hinge. Or C. See if the striker and catch plate are just jam on each other. D. The strike rod for the door know is not going all the way in everytime and the door knob needs to be replaced. Try these and see what you get.</p>

    Contractor · June 4, 2023

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