door handle keeps coming off hollow door

chloe99_2

I have got a fairly cheap but nice 6 panel woodgrain effect white door from b&q. not expensive.

We have a doorknob on either side of the door with which to pull it closed - there is a small roller ball mechanism on the door which slots into a recess in the frame and clicks the door shut. The catch isnt stiff or anything, quite easy to close.

The problem is, the knob on the side of the door that we pull to close (inside of the lounge) has pulled itself 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.

What can I do about this to stop my handles keep pulling off?

Currently have attached a piece of string in a loop to the outside handle of the door, and when you want to pull the door closed you have to get the string from the other side and pull!!!!!

andrew-b

Hollow panel doors like these (we've got the same B&Q one's) have a solid block in one side (the lock block) which you should be attaching your handle too. Somewhere around near the first horizontal section of the door near the edge . If you tap the door gently you should be able to determine where it is as it won't sound hollow.

Vibrant

If fixing to the hollow part of the door, you can use special plugs such as:
http://www.doorfurnituredirect.co.uk/scpro/bernards/productdetailsmore~productid~4574.htm

I haven't tried these myself, as I find self tapping screws will normally be good enough. Don't try using normal wood screws, as the shank (the flat bit between the head and thread) will not provide any purchase and the doors are too thin for the threads to bite.
Bit of a nuisance these modern doors IMOP, look nice, but terrible build quality (like everything nowadays).

ormus

thats why the round type knobs are better for hollow doors. you screw from one knob into the opposite one.

similar to these ones.
http://www.screwfix.com/search.do;jsessionid=EIBZ4AVZUVOEGCSTHZOSFFI?_dyncharset=UTF-8&fh_search=83096&searchbutton.x=8&searchbutton.y=9&searchbutton=submit

tycumagain

As andrew-b says, these doors are fitted with a "lock block"...
The most common mistake people make when fitting these doors is to hang them the wrong way round, ie; lock block to hinge side !
If you look on top of the door (assuming the top as not been cut) you should see a little lock shape & arrow pointing to the side with the block.
If this is what has happened & as you only have a ball latch & not a tubular latch can I suggest you purchace two cuboard knobs (the type that has a screw that goes though the cuboard door into the center of the knob) & a length of threaded bar that is the same size thead as the screw that fits the knob.
Cut the bar to a length that will go though the door,leaving enough bar showing both sides to srew the knobs onto. As the two knobs will tighten in opposite directions they will pull themselves therefor eliminating the possibility of being pulled off.
Hope this helps. :hello:

chloe99_2

ahh - it's so easy when you know how isnt it??!!

thank you so much for all your very straightward, cheap and doable suggestions

phill99

Ormus is right. I have had this problem and have used cavity wall fixings for the screws to go into. I tend to use Rawplug 'Uno' plugs and find them very effective.

knowloads

As the screw holes in the handles are the same both sides, why not buy some small diameter nuts bolts that go right the way thru' 3" will be enough.

baby-mechanic

Have no idea what they're called, but I've used what effectively is a nut and bolt thingy, but looks like a screw head at each end.

If anybody has understood what I've said, please tell me so that i can undersatnd !! lol

27col

A nut and bolt thingy, that will be it.

keith969

chloe99 wrote: »

What can I do about this to stop my handles keep pulling off?

Simples, buy a better door.