Swap a worn tubular latch for a new one, matching backset and size, so your door closes and locks smoothly again.
DL-01Gather your tools and prepare the doorLay a dust sheet under the door to catch screws and debris. Check the new latch matches the old one's backset (the distance from the door edge to the spindle hole, usually 57mm) and case length before you start. Have a screwdriver, pencil and tape measure to hand.
DL-02Remove the door handlesFind the small grub screw on the underside of the lever handle and loosen it with a flat or Allen screwdriver. Slide the handle and rose off the spindle on both sides of the door, then pull the spindle out through the latch. Keep the screws safe in a small pot.
DL-03Take out the old latchUnscrew the two screws holding the faceplate to the door edge. Pull the latch case straight out of the mortice hole, using pliers to grip it if it's stiff. Keep the old latch nearby so you can compare it with the new one.
DL-04Check the new latch matchesCompare the backset, faceplate length and case diameter of the new latch against the old one. They should be identical, or the new latch won't sit in the existing mortice. If this is a flat entrance door or a door onto an escape route, it may be a fire door.
RULES1 each · Tubular latch, 57mm backset KNOW THE RULES
Fire doors need a certified fire-rated latch to match their rating. Building Regulations Part B covers fire doors — fitting an uncertified latch can invalidate the door's fire protection.
DL-05Fit the new latch into the doorSlide the latch case into the mortice hole with the angled spring bolt facing the door frame. Line the faceplate up with the recess already cut into the door edge and screw it in place. Don't overtighten — the case should sit flat and square, not skewed.
DL-06Refit the handles and spindlePush the spindle through the latch case so it sits centrally. Slide the rose and lever handle onto each side, then tighten the grub screw down onto the flat face of the spindle, not the round part. This stops the handle slipping loose later.
DL-07Check and adjust the strike plateClose the door slowly and see if the latch bolt lines up with the recess in the strike plate on the frame. If it catches or doesn't engage, unscrew the strike plate and use a chisel to deepen or reposition the recess slightly. Refit the plate and test again.
1 each · Wood filler, small tube DL-08Test the door and tidy upOpen and close the door several times to check the latch engages smoothly and the handle springs back freely. Sweep up any wood shavings or dropped screws. Dispose of the old latch and packaging.
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