Hi,
My back door won't open. I can lock it shut (pulling the handle up and turning the key), but when I unlock it and try to open, the top and bottom retainers release, but the one in the middle doesn't. By pushing on the top or bottom, I can open a gap big enough to get metal coat hanger wire (what would we do without them?) between the door end and the frame...but then what? Do I pull up on the obstruction? down? Any suggestions please??

Frust Rated, July 2008

Thanks for your advice. It turned out the back plate had come off the shaft on the back of the triangular shaped latch tongue. As a result, turning the door handle had no affect and the internal spring kept the tongue in the door frame cutout. For your information, pulling and pushing the door alternately for quite a long time gradually increased the gap at the extremities of pull/push as the tongue migrated into the hole in the frame leaving just the shaft as the obstruction - the door eventually pulled past this shaft and opened. I'll need a new latch mechanism...but thankfully not a new door.

Frust Rated, August 2008

it sounds like its your latch thats not releasing,try and force the door towards the hinges and might release if not de-glaze door(if you know how)and try again,once opened you will prob need a new lockstrip,you can order one from north west hardware website,but as a quick fix,the latch sometimes has a screw you can unscrew and take lach off so you can use door untill you can get a replacement.hope this helps

shaun www.sdwupvcrepair.co.uk, July 2008