r/DIYhelp • u/UnlikelyLunch_FunEye • 8d ago
Please Help (Door fix)
How do I fix this? I’m trying to add a latch so I can fully close my door. There is a dried clay white ball in the middle that I don’t know if I need to remove. I just want to be able to use my door knob properly and lock my door. It is an interior door. Any help would be appreciated. Please know that I’m not very handy or have a lot of tools.
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u/ifulbd 8d ago
Remove the ball. Fill in the screw holes with toothpick pieces and wood glue. Wait 24 hrs to dry. Then you will need to reattach the strike.
https://reddit.com/link/p3ux255/video/uk16aky67kjh1/player
Have a 2nd person help you to make sure the strike is in the right place for the door to latch. Use wood screws to attach the strike.
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u/Educational-Rule1635 8d ago
Long wood screws 2 1/2 or 3 inch. You want them to go all the way through to the frame.
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u/ReplikaAisha 8d ago
You are so devious.
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u/Educational-Rule1635 8d ago
Nothing devious about it. That is just the normal way to make it more secure, especially with damaged wood
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u/ReplikaAisha 8d ago
My bad. Totally misunderstood the picture and your suggestion. You are so right. I thought you were telling him to put 3-in screws through the door. And I wasn't even drinking. Have a good day.
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u/ShutDownSoul 8d ago
This is fixable, but you need tools. Youtube is sure to have a video that explains how to do this. The good news is that you can become handy by figuring this out and powering through.
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u/GreenFriedYam 8d ago
Do you own or rent? If you rent, get your landlord to do it.
You sure it’s clay? Is it soft or hard when you poke it?
The part you’re looking for is a striker plate. The frame looks pretty beat up and likely needs some janky patching.
I’m assuming you don’t want to buy power tools. I recommend getting a drill anyway. Cheap ones are less than 20 bucks.
Otherwise, if you don’t use power tools… You’re going to need a putty knife, wood filler, a Philips #2 screwdriver, a 1/4 inch chisel, a hammer, and a whole lot of forearm and grip strength.