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If you are currently experiencing a sticky or stuck door latch issue, or a broken lock on an interior or exterior door, then you may need to call an expert locksmith.
At Chelsea Locksmith London, our expert Locksmiths are readily available in your area to address a wide range of jammed latch issues, including latch housing issues, latch body issues, latch mechanism issues, and latch assembly issues.
If you are unsure how to resolve your jammed latch or jammed door, give us a call on 07442137578 and get our expert opinion on your latch mechanism. All of our locksmiths are fully insured and DBS checked. We have a broad range of lock services, covering London and the surrounding area, for all of your door security needs.
24/7 locksmith services in London
We can assist with any stuck door solution
If your door latch is stuck, we can help!
We’ll be extremely careful as we resolve your issue!
If you are struggling with a jammed latch mechanism, then Chelsea Locksmith London is here to help. We will expertly investigate the cause of your door latch issue, checking aspects such as:
One thing is for sure: once our expert locksmiths arrive, your stuck door latch issues will be a thing of the past. They will arrive on site with all the equipment needed to rectify your exterior door issue, including needle nose pliers, screwdrivers, plyers, and a thin prybar.
We will always look for the easiest and safest way to open the door and ensure it works properly, applying just enough pressure and avoiding costly, destructive methods to open the door.
Before deciding whether or not to call a professional locksmith, there are a number of options you can try if you are looking to fix your stuck door latch yourself.
The first is the relatively simple matter of applying some lubricant, typically within the lock hole in the backplate or at the side of the door.
Once you have evenly applied the lubrication, you should then push and pull the door, gently up and down to check if your fix has worked. This engages the mechanism. If the door latch is still sticky, you know that there is some form of obstruction within the mechanism, which will mean you have to disassemble the mechanism to investigate.
This is usually fairly simple; simply remove the two screws from the screw holes on both sides of the door, and slide the door handles off on either side. Inspect all the door latch internal parts for wear or damage, and then reassemble.
If door knob issue persists, you may have a broken internal mechanism and you may then need to call for professional help.
There are a broad number of reasons your door latch could be stuck, if you have followed each of the steps above, ruled out something being stuck inside and the door latch remains stuck, then you can call us.
We will then give you our expert opinion as to whether the door latch needs a simple repair or whether it would be better to replace it.
Typically, when we are called out, our professionals find that the cause is either an environmental or an external cause. When we deal with exterior doors, or interior porch doors that often get wet or damp, we find that corrosion, rust, and warped door frames caused by moisture and/or humidity are common causes.
Should you try to free the latch on your own, use light pressure only. The inner workings of a door latch are quite sensitive, and too much force can distort the spindle or hinges, turning a quick fix into a bigger repair. Using tools like a hammer might make the problem worse — and often leaves a more complicated repair for us to sort out later.
When a latch stays stiff even after several attempts to free it, the internal parts are usually past their best. A fresh latch will often solve the problem without any further hassle. Before you replace it, though, give our team a quick call — we’ll let you know if a simple repair could save you the cost of a new one. We are able to repair common issues with latch bolts, internal mechanisms, strike plates, and much more, which could mean that you do not need a replacement after all.
But if you do decide to replace the entire system, our expert locksmiths, with decades of combined, collective experience, are able to supply a new latch, remove and dispose of the old latch, and ensure everything is working correctly during one visit.
The credit card method is an ingenious method for getting a stuck door open. With one hand holding the door handles for stability, you simply take a firm plastic card, such as a credit or debit card, and slide it in the gap between the door frame and the door. Slide it where the latch is stuck and apply gentle pressure.
When you’re trying this, pull or press the handle — it may pop open straight away. If not, you can try adding a touch more pressure, but be careful. Plastic cards can snap easily, and the broken bits may get stuck inside the latch. If that happens, the only fix is to remove the handle and take out the latch to clear it properly.
The card trick may work on an outside door, but it depends on the type of door frame. If the exterior door frame overlaps the gap between the door and frame, as is common with PVC exterior doors, then the credit card method is not a viable option.
You should avoid excessive force on exterior door knobs. These mechanisms are often important to home security, so your best course of action is to call a professional. Like us!
Our experts bring all the right tools to get the job done!
Our locksmiths work 24/7 there is always someone in your area.
In order to ensure that your door latch remains in good condition, and to hopefully prevent the need to give our expert locksmiths a call, you should have some form of preventative maintenance schedule in place.
This can include, but is not limited to:
We would recommend carrying out each of the above actions once every 12 months.
A regular lubrication schedule (for all moving parts)
Regular checks and if necessary, tightening screws and hinges
Cleaning both the strike plate and the latch mechanism on a regular basis to avoid a
Door latch systems are made up of a number of moving parts that work together to retract a spring-loaded door bolt. This includes:
If you can’t close your door, it can easily become a home security issue. If you are unable to fix the dodgy latch by yourself, then it is time to call a professional.
We cover London and the surrounding areas.
Our 24-hour callout service means we can come out whenever you need us.
What is the best way to lubricate a sticky door latch?
First you need to remove all dirt and/or debris from inside the mechanism – this will help it remain in good working condition – and then apply the lubricant to all moving parts.
If you are looking for an at home lubricant you will find the WD-40 is great choice. It is highly versatile as well so you can use it for other household jobs (no more creaky door hinges!)
You will likely find that you either have something jamming the mechanism or it has failed. You will either need to unblock the mechanism or replace the unit.
If your door hinges are allowing the door to sag a little, then you could find that is a contributing factor to your sticky door latch.