As much as the door knobs are suitable for maintaining house aesthetics, they also require proper maintenance after a certain time. Loose door knobs are the major issue that happens with them, and it becomes a nuisance if not fixed. However, following the right steps, they can be fixed easily.
Don't know how to fix door knob? This article will serve as the best door knob-fixing guide for you. It will discuss, in easy steps, the procedure you can follow to fix them if they are loose or don't work well. Knowing how to fix them would not only save you some money for new ones but also give you technical knowledge of how it works.
So let's waste no time and get right into this article to learn how to fix door knob that fell off or loose when turned.
Types Of Door Knobs
Before fixing the broken door knobs, it is important to understand what type it is. Because they might have different parts, assemblies or screwing locations depending on the designs. Following are the 2 most popular types of them that are used within the households:
-
Hidden Screw Door Knob
It is a newly introduced design in which there is a screwless fastening method. This means that the knob is attached to the spindle, and then the whole assembly to the door is done with the help of hidden screws. A device named a detent is used here to attach the knob to a spindle that is unscrewed. These screws are located underneath the cosmetic face plate, thus hidden.
-
Exposed Set Screw Door Knob
It is a basic type that is found in almost all households. In this kind, the handle is secured to a threaded spindle with the help of an exposed set of screws, mainly 2. They have an advantage over the hidden screw door knobs as they are pretty easy to tighten up, and there is no need to disassemble all of them to fit the door handle (how to fit door handles).
How To Fix A Loose Door Knob? 6 Steps
A loose doorknob can not only compromise your home security but also be inconvenient when used. If your door knobs are also loose, follow the below-listed steps to fix them properly:
Step 01: Remove The Knob
There are two types of screws with which the door knob is fixed on the door the exposed screw and the hidden screws. If exposed screws are used, then you will have to tighten up the set screws which are found at the inside of the door. Thus, you can use a screwdriver to remove the knob by unscrewing it.
But if the hidden screws are used, you would have to find the detent access hole to tighten it up. It is a little pin that prevents the knob from rotating, and it sticks out of the little hole in the knob. Use a flathead screw to press down the pin in order to remove the handle or the knob from the spindle shaft. Once it is removed, you can tighten the screws.
Step 02: Remove The Base
Since you have already removed the doorknob in the previous step, now is the time to remove its base. This step is essential yet sensitive; if followed incorrectly, it could potentially damage the whole lockset. Thus, use a flathead screwdriver to pry the ring loose so that it doesn't damage the backing plate.
This step is followed so that the set screws within the door knob are visible and can be tightened up with the help of a screwdriver. In most cases, these screws get worn out, so new screws need to be installed in place of them. You can find new screws for the same kind of knobs within the market.
Step 03: Tighten Up The Screws
After the removal of the ring, you will be able to see the set of screws. These screws are used to tighten up the loose knobs and are inside them. This is why we have to open the whole knob to fix it. These screws run through the door and keep the whole assembly in place. Therefore, they should be fixed cautiously to make sure that the issues are resolved.
The set of screw run from the inside backing plate to the outside backing plate, thus, keeping the door knob fixed to the door. In most cases, when they get loose, the door knobs will lose stability and woggle when turned to open the door. Thus, if you want to know how to tighten door knobs, following this step is a must.
Step 04: Restore The Base
Since the knobs were completely disassembled for the fixing, it is time to put it back together. You can snap the ring back on the backing plate of it. The handle is put on the spindle shaft from which it was removed earlier. Make sure that it is right on the shaft, turn the handle to line the holes up with the detent and click to place.
Mostly, there are screws at the top and bottom of the door knobs that keep them in place with the doors. Thus, after putting all the parts together, you can tighten up these screws with a screwdriver to make sure that it is attached to the door firmly. Try to screw the first hole and then the second so that there is no difficulty in screwing them up to the door.
Conclusion
Wondering how to fix door knobs that are loose? This article is the best guide. It mentions some of the most used types of door knobs. If loose, they both can be fixed easily; the steps are also mentioned in this article. The exposed screw door knobs are easy to fix as compared to the hidden screw door knobs, as there is no need to disassemble them completely to tighten up a pair of hidden screws.
FAQs
How to fix door knobs if they fall off?
It is a pretty easy procedure to fix if your doorknob falls off. It is mainly because of missing or loose screws between it and the door. The best technique to tighten them up is by alternating between the screws as you snug so that there is even pressure and they are tightened evenly. This will help in fixing the issue and keeping the door knobs in place.
What to do if the door knobs stick when turning?
Unlike the loose door knobs, these are pretty worn out and may require the replacement of parts, if not the whole. It usually happens because of a problem with the tabular latch within its assembly. The spindle bar within the latch body can get damaged during repair and may require a replacement for the smooth functioning of the door knob.
How to fix door knobs myself?
You can fix the door knobs yourself, as it is not a difficult task if you follow the right steps. Most of the time, you only need a screwdriver, as it might get loose or stick when turned. You have to tighten up the screws that attach the knob to the door. These screws might be located at different locations, depending on the type of door knob that you are fixing.