A sagging lever door handle can be a nuisance. It can make it difficult to open and close the door, and it can also be unsightly. But there’s no need to go out and buy a new door handle; in most cases, you can fix the problem yourself in just a few minutes. All you need is a screwdriver and a few household supplies. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to fix a sagging lever door handle in four easy steps.
Summary: A sagging door handle can be an annoying problem, making it difficult to open and close the door. This blog post will provide a step-by-step guide on how to fix a sagging lever door handle. Learn how to check the problem, inspect the latch, adjust the latch and strike plate and replace the latch if necessary. Find out how to adjust the door hinges as well as when to call a professional for more help.
What Is a Sagging Lever Door Handle?
A lever door handle is essential to any door, providing a convenient way to open and close the door without turning a knob. However, lever handles can sometimes become loose or sag, making it difficult to open or close the door. In addition, a sagging lever handle can be unsightly and make your door look shabby. While you could simply ignore the problem, it’s actually fairly easy to fix a sagging lever door handle.
By tightening the screws that hold the lever in place, you can usually fix the problem in just a few minutes. In addition, by regularly checking the screws and ensuring they’re tight, you can help prevent the problem from happening again. As a result, it’s well worth taking a few minutes to fix a sagging lever door handle.
Why Should You Fix a Sagging Lever Door Handle?
A sagging door handle can be more than just a cosmetic issue. If the door handle isn’t properly fixed, it can cause the door to become difficult to open and close. In some cases, a sagging door handle can even prevent the door from latching properly, posing a security risk.
In addition, a sagging door handle can put unnecessary strain on the door hinges, which may eventually cause them to fail. Therefore, fixing a sagging lever door handle is important as soon as possible. Although it may seem like a minor issue, addressing it sooner rather than later can help avoid more serious problems.
5 Common Causes of a Sagging Lever Door Handle
1. Worn Out Pivot Bushing
The pivot bushing is a small plastic or metal sleeve that sits between the door lever and the door itself. Over time, this bushing can become worn out, causing the lever to sag.
2. Loose Screws
Another common cause of a sagging door lever is loose screws. The screws that hold the lever in place can work themselves loose over time, causing the lever to sag.
3. Worn Out Hinges
If the hinges on your door are worn out, it can cause the door to sag, which in turn can cause the lever to sag.
4. Poorly Installed Door Lever
If the door lever is not installed properly, it can cause the lever to sag. This is usually due to incorrect screws being used or the hole for the screw being too big.
5. Weight of the Door Lever
The weight of the door lever itself can also cause it to sag over time. If the lever is made of heavy material, such as brass, it is more likely to sag than a lighter material, such as plastic.
7 Steps to Follow on How to Fix a Sagging Lever Door Handle
Step 1: Check the Problem
If the door handle feels loose, it might be an issue with the screws holding it in place. Use a screwdriver to tighten them and see if that solves the problem. However, if the door handle seems fine but the latch is not catching, then the problem lies with the latter.
Step 2: Inspect the Latch
If the problem is with the latch, then look closely at it to see how it is mounted. In most cases, latches are either mortised or surface-mounted. A mortised latch is set into a hole in the door, while a surface-mounted latch rests on the door’s surface.
Step 3: Adjust the Latch
If the mortised latch is not catching, you must adjust it. This can usually be done by loosening the screws that hold it in place and then moving it up or down as needed. If the problem is with a surface-mounted latch, you can try to bend it slightly, so it catches better.
Step 4: Check the Strike Plate
The strike plate is the metal plate that the latch bolt fits into when the door is closed. If this plate is loose, then it will need to be tightened or replaced.
Step 5: Adjust the Door Hinges
If the door is not hanging level, then this can also cause the latch to miss the strike plate. In order to fix this, you will need to adjust the hinges. This is usually done by loosening the screws and then moving the hinge up or down as needed.
Step 6: Replace the Latch
If the latch is damaged, then it will need to be replaced. This is a fairly easy process, but you will need to make sure that you get the right size and style of latch for your door.
Step 7: Call a Professional
If you have tried all of the above steps and the problem persists, you might need to call a professional. A qualified locksmith or door technician will be able to diagnose and fix the problem quickly and efficiently.
That’s it! You’ve now learned how to fix a sagging lever door handle. By following these steps, you can ensure that your door will be functioning properly in no time.
How to Tell If Your Lever Door Handle is Sagging
One of the telltale signs of a sagging lever door handle is if the door doesn’t latch when you close it. If your door is properly installed, the latch should engage with the strike plate as soon as the door is closed. However, if you find that you have to jiggle or push on the door handle to get the door to latch, then chances are good that the handle is sagging.
Another sign of a sagging door handle is if the lever feels loose or wobbly when you use it. This can be caused by wear and tear on the door handle and the weight of the lever itself pulling down on the screws that hold it in place. If you suspect that your lever door handle is sagging, then it’s time to take a closer look at the installation.
Check to see if the screws are tightened all the way, and look for any signs of wear or damage. With a little bit of troubleshooting, you should be able to get your door handle back in working order in no time.
How to Properly Maintain Your Lever Door Handle to Ensure It Doesn’t Sag
A sagging door handle is not only unsightly, but it can also be dangerous. If the handle is not properly supported, it could come loose and cause the door to slam shut. To prevent this from happening, it is important to check the screws that hold the handle in place regularly. If any of the screws are loose, tighten them with a screwdriver.
In addition, it is important to ensure that the holes in the door that the screws go into are not stripped. If they are, Replace the screws with new ones. Finally, if the handle is still sagging, you may need to replace the entire unit. Hopefully, following these steps will help you keep your lever door handle from sagging.
How to Prevent Your Lever Door Handle From Sagging
A sagging lever door handle can be more than just a nuisance. It can be a safety hazard. If the door handle is not properly supported, it can come loose and cause the door to swing open unexpectedly. In some cases, a sagging door handle can even cause the door to jam shut. Fortunately, a few easy ways prevent your lever door handle from sagging. First, ensure that the screws that hold the handle are tight.
Loose screws are one of the most common causes of a sagging door handle. If the screws are tight but the handle is still sagging, you may need to replace the screws with longer ones. Another way to prevent your lever door handle from sagging is to install an additional support bracket beneath the handle. This will help distribute the handle’s weight more evenly and prevent it from sagging over time.
Finally, if your lever door handle is made of metal, you can add a piece of rubber or foam insulation around the base of the handle. This will help cushion the handle and prevent it from hitting the door frame and damaging it. By following these simple tips, you can keep your lever door handle functioning properly for years to come.
Conclusion
A sagging lever door handle may seem like a small problem, but it can be a big nuisance. Fortunately, it’s easy to fix—and you don’t need to be a handyman (or woman) to do it.
In most cases, you only need a screwdriver and a few household supplies. So next time your lever door handle starts sagging, save yourself some money and time by fixing it yourself! Thanks for reading our post about how to fix a sagging lever door handle.