Upvc door won't open

brfc

Hello

I have a upvc door, and it won't open, tried a few random things but to no avail

It seems like the door won't open from the top part, the hook doesn't seem to release, and when I press on the door handle the handle just goes all the way down without opening the hook.

Any suggestions how I can get the door open please 

Thanks 

WIAWSNB

First thing to check is whether it's the weather.
Wait until the door is cool, first thing in the morning, and try again.
If no better, then try 'snapping' the handle fully down abruptly, whilst also gently pulling/pushing it towards the closed position - to take the friction away from the latches.
Any good?

grumpy_codger

What sort of hinges do you have? A photo?
Some hinges are very easy to unscrew even if the door is closed, but there can be hinge security bolts on the hinge side preventing opening the door this way:

brfc

WIAWSNB said:

First thing to check is whether it's the weather.
Wait until the door is cool, first thing in the morning, and try again.
If no better, then try 'snapping' the handle fully down abruptly, whilst also gently pulling/pushing it towards the closed position - to take the friction away from the latches.
Any good?

Hello

I hadn't thought about it being the weather due to the handle just not latching on.
I gave it quiet a try several times by pushing the handle down, not the normal method of when I open the door, but didnt make any difference.
when you say "whilst also gently pulling/pushing it towards the closed position - to take the friction away from the latches"
Do you mean pushing the door or the handle, trying to visualize what you are suggesting I try, sorry? 

brfc

grumpy_codger said:

What sort of hinges do you have? A photo?
Some hinges are very easy to unscrew even if the door is closed, but there can be hinge security bolts on the hinge side preventing opening the door this way:

Hi

I've attached a couple of pics 

I didnt attempt to undo the hinges

FreeBear

Probably not a good idea to disturb the hinges unless you are familiar with readjusting them afterwards.

If the handle is moving but the hooks are not disengaging, it sounds like the gearbox or an internal linkage has failed.  Might be easier to call out a window/door doctor to get them to fix it.

WIAWSNB

brfc said:

Hello
I hadn't thought about it being the weather due to the handle just not latching on.
I gave it quiet a try several times by pushing the handle down, not the normal method of when I open the door, but didnt make any difference.
when you say "whilst also gently pulling/pushing it towards the closed position - to take the friction away from the latches"
Do you mean pushing the door or the handle, trying to visualize what you are suggesting I try, sorry? 

I see it opens inwards. Yes, try gently pushing the door away from you - further closed - in order to remove as much tension as possible from the latching mechanism. Just press your left hand on the LH door frame above the handle, and press, and try the handle at the same time with your other hand.

Also try lifting the handle fully upwards to the 'locking' position, and then sharply downwards from there. 

Even try pressing the door as before, and 'rattling' the handle downwards to the open position - ie, repeatedly. 

Does the handle actually have its full travel - does it go fully up to the 'locking' position, and fully down to 'open'? And it settles horizontally when at rest? 

And have you tried it 'cold'?!

grumpy_codger

These hinges are easy to unscrew and to adjust.

https://windowware.co.uk/news/how-to-adjust-a-flag-hinge

brfc

WIAWSNB said:

brfc said:

Hello
I hadn't thought about it being the weather due to the handle just not latching on.
I gave it quiet a try several times by pushing the handle down, not the normal method of when I open the door, but didnt make any difference.
when you say "whilst also gently pulling/pushing it towards the closed position - to take the friction away from the latches"
Do you mean pushing the door or the handle, trying to visualize what you are suggesting I try, sorry? 

I see it opens inwards. Yes, try gently pushing the door away from you - further closed - in order to remove as much tension as possible from the latching mechanism. Just press your left hand on the LH door frame above the handle, and press, and try the handle at the same time with your other hand.

Also try lifting the handle fully upwards to the 'locking' position, and then sharply downwards from there. 

Even try pressing the door as before, and 'rattling' the handle downwards to the open position - ie, repeatedly. 

Does the handle actually have its full travel - does it go fully up to the 'locking' position, and fully down to 'open'? And it settles horizontally when at rest? 

And have you tried it 'cold'?!

Oh, I tried all those things yesterday, including pushing the door, and moving the handle up or down, was there for about 1 hour trying all sorts. I think my issue is the handle doesn't seem to be doing anything, it seems to just move up and down without actually releasing the latch, in fact the handle seems to go up and down far more than it should, like all the way, way past what it used too. But yes, it does settle in the horizontal position when not being held. 

Yes, tried it this morning, when it was cooler and no difference I'm afraid

brfc

grumpy_codger said:

These hinges are easy to unscrew and to adjust.

https://windowware.co.uk/news/how-to-adjust-a-flag-hinge

Thanks, I've had a read of the link, but what do I do after I've adjusted the hinges, as I presume the door wont open, is the goal for it to allow me enough room to remove the locked latch manually?

grumpy_codger

brfc said:

grumpy_codger said:

These hinges are easy to unscrew and to adjust.

https://windowware.co.uk/news/how-to-adjust-a-flag-hinge

Thanks, I've had a read of the link, but what do I do after I've adjusted the hinges, as I presume the door wont open, is the goal for it to allow me enough room to remove the locked latch manually?

I thought that If there are no hinge bolts it could be possible (not sure) to open the door the other way round - on the hinge side and then extract it from the door frame.
If you do this and the door moves, have something ready to put under it to support it, e.g. few books.