Why not just move the hole down that the door latch goes in. Mine got messed up and the previous homeowner just put 2 hook and eye locks on it and it locks up tighter than with a regular latch alone.

 

Not being there to see it I can only offer some sugestions from my building maintenance experience. I worked on lots of commercial doors and closers. It sounds like the strike plate is not allowing the latch into the door frame. If it has dropped just a little or been raised up just a little what you may can do is unscrew the brass plate from the door frame and raise it or lower it some and install the screws in the new location if it can be done with clean new holes. If not it may be possible to file with a file the opening in the brass to allow the door to latch. I would slowly close the door and see where the door latch is touching the brass and see which way it needs to be moved.
If you are wanting to install a bar accross the door you can go to a building center and get some brackets that install on the door and door frame to allow a bar to secure the door. Hope this helps, feel free to ask any more question you have.

 

Thank you for great fix

 

Will insurance cover it?

 

Try the power wedge. Still need to move the plate down or file some off. Depends on how big the gap is.

 

If your just concerned with someone walking in I read once the Chain locks are of the most effective.

 

As a FF that has forced many, MANY doors, I would completely disagree with this statement.
the locks like in hotels, the solid brass ones, are much, much better than the old chain locks, and be sure to use the longest screws allowed, and while you're at it, put the longest screws available in your hinges, the factory are usually to short, can't tell you how many doors i've "blown off the hinges":thumb:

 

Water your foundation. Seriously, that is the main problem in extended time of drought. Most people should be watering their foundations instead of their grass, they will be much better off.

 

This is a door brace that spans the door: http://www.bar-ricade.com/

 

most of the hardware stores & home improvement centers sell a pair of brackets that lag on both sides of the door .... the brackets accept a 2 X 4 .... pair is $4 to $5 ....

 

Here they are at Lowe's.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_309012-54546-23169ZCLLG_

 

A dermel tool would work good to ream out the jam after the striker plate has been removed. I use an electric die grinder.
The distance between the door and the jam is another thing to check. If there is too much gap between the door and jam, remove the inside casing (trim) and use shims to move the jam.
The striker plate may need to be moved forward or back for a proper fit.
When reinstalling striker plate after it is in the right location, use deck screws that will go through the jam and into the stud.

You may want to install a dead bolt.

 

Need to reframe the door sounds like the frame warped.

 

Just fix the latch not a big problem. If you are looking for more security, there are many better options than a 2x4 across the door

 

When mine did that, I took the striker plate of and filled all holes with wood filler. After it had dried completely, I drilled a new hole to match the lock thingy (the part that moves when you turn the knob), marked the new hole to mount the striker plate, match drilled them and the door was good as new.

Had to work the dead bolt a little, but a Dremel did that nicely.

WW

shoot straight - stay safe

 

FWIW anytime I work on a doorway I take a dab of wood glue on a golf tee or matchstick and pound it into the old screw holes, then cut and snap them off. this keeps the screws from getting loose and allows the hinges/plates to be relocated easier HTH

 

Just shim the door and frame untill its level

 

Water the foundation and use these on all doors...

 

That's odd. My suggestion was "disappeared" from this thread.

Guess I won't try to help anyone with this kind of problem here again. Can't imagine what part of it was not acceptable.

?????

 

Not the first time its happened jungle

 

Add a deadbolt above your door handle.

 

^^^ And depending on front lite ( glass ) placement -- inside key lock - not thumb latch --

 

A picture of the door would be best here. We are getting dressed in the dark here.

 

After travon -- I tossed all of them :

 

Mmm skittles.. taste the rainbow travon... taste it..

 

We derailed this one like champs.

OP, add pictures. There are probably a lot of options for you that will not cost very much or may even be free if you already have some tools.

 

Thread is from 2012 people. I imagine its fixed by now.

 

There's a chance it's not. Hate it when someone raises the dead like this and I don't check the date.

 

Busted....

 

This old chestnut --