Edit: Looks like forcing the lock to stay up is the best option, plus adding a hook-and-eye latch to keep the cats (one of whom particularly reckless) from getting onto the roof by way of the balcony.
When I go onto the balcony and close the screen door behind me, the lock falls down into the locked position. (Conveniently, this mostly happens when I’m not wearing pockets and therefore don’t have my phone.)
The lock doesn’t seem to be loose, or at least the screw won’t go any tighter. I don’t think I’m closing the screen any more firmly than necessary.
Other than trying to remember to instead close the glass door behind me — passing through doors happens on autopilot so I’m very likely to forget — is there some way to prevent locking myself out? Or is it working as designed and I have a head-in-clouds problem rather than a flaky-door problem?
What about taping a piece of cardboard between frame and the door jam? This would prevent the door from fully “closing”. Of course, this does mean that leaving the screen door closed with the glass door open will have a notably “unscreened” portion.
Are you actually up on a higher floor where there’s little chance of anyone trying to get in that way? If the lock has a key, maybe you could hide a copy on the balcony? Alternatively I would wedge something into the lock, it’s not like it actually DOES anything. Anyone who wants in your house will simply go through the screen without making enough noise to alert the neighbors.
It’s the second floor, so anyone trying to get in would have to Spider-Man their way up, which is pretty unlikely. The main concern with blocking the lock is keeping the cats from opening it, but I think I could add a simple hook-and-eye latch to the inside. Thanks!
I guess you need something keeping it closed. What does the outside look like? Any way to modify it to add a handle of sorts to the interior latch part so you can raise it from outside too? Could be as simple as a slot and a screw.
Ah them pesky cats! Mine like to get into the kitchen cabinets. At night while we’re trying to sleep. Little bastards.
Mine too! Their favorite cabinet is the messy, rarely-used one which shares a wall with the bedroom, and their favorite time to climb up and rearrange things is 4 a.m.
Are you able to remove the hook on the door frame that the lock engages with?
I could, but at least one of the cats is smart/lucky/orange enough to figure out how to open the screen door if I remove the ability to latch it altogether.
A nice dab of hot glue holding the lock up would work. Or some superglue
Yeah, it looks like holding up the lock + installing a hook-and-eye latch to keep the cats from opening the screen is the way to go here. Hot glue should do the trick nicely, thanks!
Brainstorming here:
-
fasten a magnet to it, then use a magnet on the outside to slide it up as a “key”.
-
remove the locking mechanism
-
undo the screws on the mechanism in the screen door and add some sticky residue like a piece of duct tape then remove the duct tape by using a hair dryer to get it off. Then reassemble and put it up in the unlocked position and let the sticky hold it in place
Oh I like the magnetic key idea, that might be the new winner.
-
Maybe take the handle off and put some thin fabric/felt/velcro fuzz behind it to give it a little more friction?
Wedge something under the lock so it stays up, then put tape over it to hold it in place.
Looks like it relies just on friction to keep it in place and it’s worn enough to not work 100% now. I agree with others, a screen door isn’t a security barrier, so unless it needs to be secured to stay shut for wind or whatever, I’d just permanently stick it open. Glue, or perhaps taking it apart and then jamming something between to add more pressure.
Oh nice maybe there’s one that can be operated from both sides
