Door handles could be stuck or sticking for several reasons. We will take you through those causes and methods of how to fix the issue.
The most common issue with the door handle sticking is a problem with the tubular latch. The tubular latch is the mechanical moving part that is fitting inside the door. The tubular latch is set in action by pressure being applied to the lever, which moves the spindle (metal bar) that passes through the follower (turning metal disc) that is set into the body of the latch. This transmission of energy to the spring inside the latch, causes the latch bolt tongue to retract, allowing the door to open.
The most common cause of sticking door handles is some kind of malfunction within the tubular latch itself. To test if this is the case, firstly open the door and check that there are no obvious visible obstructions to the tubular latch. Check the tubular latch face plate or the following things: loose screws, signs or internal parts of the latch poking through. Check the alignment to ensure everything is straight – the latch face plate, the latch tongue, and the lever where it attaches to the door via the rose. Minor adjustments to these factors may be able to solve the issue.
If this does not prove to show up anything, continue through the following steps.
Take a screwdriver and remove the door handle and latch from the door. To do this you will need to remove the grub screw, which is holding the lever to the spindle, and then remove the rose cover to allow you to remove the screws and fixings that will release the door handle from the door.
Now that the door handles have been removed from the door, check on the rear of the plates for any obstructions or obvious signs of malfunction. Turn the lever a couple of times to ensure that it operates freely. Ensure that the door handles spring up when they are operated. There will be a spring at the rear of the lever rose. Check this is not broken or bent. If either of the door handles seizes when being turned, try applying some lubricant such as WD40 which may help to loosen the seized components. If it is still seized after lubrication, you will need to replace the door handles.
If the door handles appear to be in good working order, then the problem is most likely to be with the tubular latch. Remove the latch from the door by releasing the two screws that are holding the latch in position through the latch faceplate on the end of the door. The tubular latch should then slide out of the door. Once the latch has been removed from the door, you can check its functionality.
Check around the latch for any visible signs of wear or malfunction, such as loose springs or components poking out. Push the latch bolt tongue with your finger and see if it returns or not. If it does not, then a spring has broken inside the latch. Whist pushing the latch tongue in, check if it is possible to push the latch bolt all the way inside the latch body housing. If this is not possible, and the tip of the tongue is still poking out, then a spring or other component within the latch is broken. Both circumstances require a replacement latch.
If the latch appears to be working outside of the door, then there is another problem to check for. There are two rotating lugs on either side of the latch body where the spindle passes through. These lugs allow the follower to operate. It is possible that these lugs might have become blocked up with debris. It is also possible that when the tubular latch was installed, the hole in the door which was made for the latch was not made large enough, which therefore disrupts the lugs. If this is the case, then a larger hole will need to be created within the door. With this obstruction being caused, it may have caused a windup within the latch, and broken some components inside the latch casing. Therefore, a replacement latch will be required.
At the end of these checks, if your door handle is still sticking, please get in contact with us and we will hopefully be able to help out! Call us on 0800 9020 486 or email us at [email protected]. Replacement latches and levers are available from ourselves also – just give us a call!
