door frame fell apart
#1
11-01-04, 04:32 PM
door frame fell apart
I put in weather stripping around my back door and then couldn't close the door. Where the door knob latch is supposed to catch on the frame, it's now a big hole, the metal piece screwed into the frame came off ( my house was built in 1921, and walls/frames sometimes crumble!). There's nothing to hold the plate to, and my door won't stay shut. HELP! How do I fix this? It's cold outside 
Thanks! MissFixIt (before it gets worse)
Thanks! MissFixIt (before it gets worse)
#2
11-01-04, 06:16 PM
Super Moderator
MissFixIt,
The door catch likely fell off because the screw holes have stripped.
You can try to push some slivers of wood into the hole for a screw to grip.
Also you could try longer screws that will reach into the door frame.
Make sure that if you replace the screws that the heads fit the plate properly and don't stick out and catch the door.
The door catch likely fell off because the screw holes have stripped.
You can try to push some slivers of wood into the hole for a screw to grip.
Also you could try longer screws that will reach into the door frame.
Make sure that if you replace the screws that the heads fit the plate properly and don't stick out and catch the door.
#4
11-02-04, 03:22 PM
door frame fell apart
Yes, there is nothing to screw the plate into, one big hole, the plate is just sitting in the hole. Longer screws might work, if the rest of the wood isn't rotten. Do they make larger plates where I can screw it in higher but still have the catch in the proper place, and fit my 32" door? Or should I just rip out the frame and make a new one ( my frame is slightly crooked anyway!). Thanks for your thoughts. 
#5
11-03-04, 05:21 AM
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I would try to shim behind your strike plate and install longer screws, just until you could replace the jamb or install a new pre-hung door.
Unless you have the time and money now, replace it.
Unless you have the time and money now, replace it.
