Door won’t latch? Here’s a quick fix
This Is a Hammer
Q: Your recent column about the door that wouldn’t latch was good with all the mention of using shims, but missed the easiest fix. In more than 35 years, I have seen many doors where the hole in the frame is in the wrong place by up to a quarter-inch. Simply take out the striker plate, file the hole bigger and replace it. You may have to carve on the wood behind a little bit. When the door otherwise is mounted plumb and square, this is the simplest way. — Owen, via e-mail
A: Thanks, Owen! This sounds like a faster way to line up a door with the latch.
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Q: I appreciated your recent article on putting together an electrical repair toolkit. I’m interested in doing repair jobs as safely as possible. Do you have any other safety tips for do-it-yourselfers? — A.S., via e-mail
A: I have several, but today I’ll list a few common hazards around the home that everyone should look for. An article in the November issue of “ShopSmart,” a magazine produced by Consumer Reports, listed these and several more, along with recommended fixes.
Making your home safer can be as simple as adding a non-slip bath mat to your tub or shower and installing a grab bar on the wall. It can be as easy as turning down your hot water heater to no more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent accidental scalding in the shower (it saves energy, too).
Having test equipment around is important. A voltage tester is a must-have in a repair kit, but did you know a block of wood can be used to test the garage door? It should automatically reverse when the block is detected; if not, you need to upgrade the mechanism. Do-it-yourself radon and lead test kits will help keep your family healthy.
HOME TIP: When childproofing your home, have a ruler handy. Use it to measure spaces between crib bars (no more than 2- 3/8 inches) or deck railing slats (no more than 4 inches) to ensure a child’s head won’t get caught between them.