Door Won’t Latch—3 Easy Fixes!

Check Out Our FREE GUIDE: 25 Must-Have Carpentry Tools...Under $25 Each! https://www.thehonestcarpenter.com/ AFFILIATE TOOL LINKS: REXBETI 16pc Metal File Set (Great Price): https://amzn.to/3rmGU8E GOX Rotary Tool Kit 140pc (Also works great for grinding!): https://amzn.to/30gl4ru Black&Decker 20v Cordless Drill (Best Value/Best Reviews!): https://amzn.to/3qhw3vz Dewalt Drill Bit Set (Titanium): https://amzn.to/3e72NVT Loctite Super Glue 2-pack: https://amzn.to/3qjBJ88 (These are affiliate links. When you shop through these links, we receive a small commission at NO EXTRA CHARGE TO YOU. We greatly appreciate the support!) FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:   / thehonestcarpenter   FOLLOW US ON LINKEDIN:   / thehonestcarpenter   Every house has a door that won't latch. This video from The Honest Carpenter will show you three easy fixes! If you like the video, be sure to hit like and subscribe! Check us out at: www.thehonestcarpenter.com Tools: Hammer 1" Chisel Metal File Screwdriver Drill Assorted Drill Bits Materials: Toothpicks Super Glue Caulk / Paint How-to: --Check alignment of the door latch. In most cases, the door latch is too low on the strike plate and won't fall into the latch hole. Fix #1: Drive the Strike plate down --Put a large screwdriver or piece of stiff metal against the inner lip of the strike plate and drive it down with several hard taps from a hammer. Check to see if door stays shut. Fix #2: File Out Strike Plate --Remove the strike plate. File out the bottom lip with a metal file. Be sure to pass the file back and forth to evenly remove material. Don't file all the way through the screw hole one the strike plate. Close door and see if it stays shut. Fix #3: Reposition Strike Plate --Remove the strike plate. Hold it in its ideal position, and use a pencil to mark new screw locations and bottom edge of plate. Drill out new screw locations with increasingly larger bits (tap a pinpoint first with a trim nail). Use a utility knife and sharp chisel to cut excess wood at bottom of strike plate position, paring carefully. Don't mess up the door jamb! Also mark and cut out excess wood in door latch hole. Put strike plate back on with screws. Fill in gaps in wood with either wood filler or several applications of caulk. Paint to match trim. THANKS FOR WATCHING!! PLEASE LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE HONEST CARPENTER VIDEOS! (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, Cary, Wake Forest--North Carolina)