Handles coming off hollow doors

OU812

We have fairly inexpensive but nice 6 panel woodgrain effect internal white doors.

We have a doorknob & separate keyhole cover on either side of the door with which to pull it closed - The locks aren't stiff & fit quite well.

The problem is, the handles on the side of the door that we pull to close (inside of the lounge) has come off more than half a dozen times.

Each time we refit it with the supplied screws into a slightly different place on the door hoping the screws will bite better ths time.

I know we wouldn't have this problem if it was a solid wood door, but I guess that whatever the veneer or surface of the door is made from, it is breaking down very quickly and allowing the screws to work there way out in a matter of weeks.

It appears that the guys we got to fit the doors hung them with the "lock" side to the hinges which means we're essentially attaching the handles to thin MDF.

What can I do to repair them (get them to hold) & stop my handles keep pulling off? (bear in mind there's small kids in the house who sometimes like to grab & swing despite me threatening to sell their toys the next time they do it).

tabby aspreme

One option that may work, next time you have to fit them drill a small pilot hole for the screws , 1.5 -2 mm should be enough , this will allow the screws to cut a proper tread in the door material, you probably need new screws also, as most screws supplied with handles are poor quality.

Another option that definitely will work is to get bolt through door fixings for the existing handles , they can be bought online , you may have to change the locks to suit the bolt through fixings if they don't have the holes in them

jack of all

If you remove the mortise lock you may be able to manipulate a small piece of wood into the space and glue it in place. Something like a small 3" square of 4/ 6 or 9mm ply; you'd need a piece for each door skin, glued in place. When dry you'd need to drill through the spindle hole, through the new backing piece. This could work if you're patient and tenacious!

sozbox

I've the same door and the same issue, it's affected all the doors in the house at this point. What I've done is to use wall plugs with the screws to secure the handle. That seems to be working so far.

OU812

sozbox wrote: »

I've the same door and the same issue, it's affected all the doors in the house at this point. What I've done is to use wall plugs with the screws to secure the handle. That seems to be working so far.

Was thinking of that but was advised against it. What type of plug & screw are you using?

intro

A friend of mine had this problem. He got a length of rawlplug and cut several pieces the thickness of the door. He then inserted them between the two handles and screwed each handle to the rawlplug. There is no pressure exerted on the door when pulling it. Worked perfectly for years.

Admldj

http://m.ebay.ie/itm/2-x-Door-Handle-Fixing-bolts-screws-fasteners-with-sleeves-Suit-Hollow-Doors-/222372832501?nav=SEARCH

These are the solution, they are normally supplied with handles and there are notches in most mortise locks to allow them pass through, any decent hardware shop would stock them.