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How to fix laundry cupboard handle?

algenebautista
Growing in Experience

How to fix laundry cupboard handle?

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MitchellMc
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

Re: How can I fix this laundry cupboard handle

Hi @algenebautista,

 

This appears to be a dummy knob screwed directly into the face skin of the door. Ideal a handle should be fixed into a solid timber piece, but on an internal door that far from the edge, it is just a thin MDF skin and a cardboard waffle internal packer. The skin of the door does not provide enough purchase for the screw to withstand the rigours of opening the door, especially if the door becomes stuck or there is a catch system to hold the door closed. 

 

If this handle has worked for some time before being polled off you could remove the cover plate to access the screws and shift the handle over slightly to find new material for the screws. This issue will likely occur again in the future. I'd suggest that if you are going to move the handle slightly, before you reinstall the screws squirt some construction adhesive behind the handle mounting plate. That way, when you tighten the screws, it will pull the mounting plate onto the door and sandwich the glue. You'll then have a mechanical fixing and glued bonding. Neither is a great option on their own, but they might give you the needed connection to prevent the handle from coming off again.

 

Alternatively, you could swap the screws in the handle out for screws/bolts that are long enough to pass the whole way through the door and have a nut on the inside.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Mitchell

 

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JoeAzza
Kind of a Big Deal

Re: How to fix laundry cupboard handle?

Hi @algenebautista 

Another idea is to use small wallmates, as long as the door is hollow core type, these wall mates will hold the handle more securely. They are normally used on plaster board, however you could first try and install one on a piece of 3mm mdf board to see it it works, before trying on your cupboard door.

 

 

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