Loft Latch how?

[Animal]

Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed & latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm, how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction

[Brian Gaff]

Not able to see it, but I had an opposite issue. One of those push to close
with a little pad that you pokewith a stick to unlatch, and gradually lower
same stick. Was very proud of how well it worked....
Until that is every time we got a strong wind, and normally in the middle
of the night, the latch vibrated and opened itself, letting the door flap
down,dumping filth and dust into the landing and knocking a dent in the wall
behind it. In the end I duct taped it up. If I want to go in now I need a
chair to stand on, peel off the old tape, lower the door while holding a bin
liner over the edge to catch the muck, then release the ladder and leave it
hanging while I move the chair to leave room for the ladder to be brought
down and locked.
New tape is relatively cheap and of course it is better sealed and there
are no draughts and whining noises in the wind.
Brian

--

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"Animal" <tabb...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:3fc01f29-e951-4dca...@googlegroups.com...

[fred]

On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed & latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm, how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction

I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it

[Animal]

What do you mean? How?

[Jeff Layman]

On 13/10/2023 12:05, Animal wrote:
> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed & latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm, how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destructio

I don't think you're the first one to be affected. See the first and
second reviews here:
<https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Loft-Touch-Door-Latch---Zinc-80-x-20-x-35mm-Pack-of-2/p/117174>

Unfortunately, there's no indication of how to undo a closed latch. If
it doesn't come undone with multiple attempts, it might be worth going
through identical products to see if there are alternative pictures
and/or how someone else has undone a stuck latch. If the latch didn't
come with clear fitting instructions, have a look at the diagram here:
<https://www.amazon.co.uk/LOFT-DOOR-TOUCH-CATCH-Hatch/dp/B00CJF9ILQ>

--

Jeff

[Tricky Dicky]

I think he means push it with increasing force to see if it will dislodge
failing that I am sure Toolsatan will sell you a perfectly good crowbar to
wrench it open.

[Tim+]

Got a suction cup or sink plunger? *Close* hatch really firmly and then try
pulling it open with the plunger, suction cup (or just a cup hook screwed
in).

Tim

--
Please don't feed the trolls

[alan_m]

Try shocking it open. Place a bit of scrap wood against the door/hatch
where the latch is fitted and give the wood a sharp blow with a hammer.

Drill a small hole big enough for a nail to go through and perhaps using
the nail to push on the mechanism may free the latch.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

[Harry Bloomfield Esq]

On 13/10/2023 16:13, Jeff Layman wrote:
> I don't think you're the first one to be affected. See the first and
> second reviews here:
> <https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Loft-Touch-Door-Latch---Zinc-80-x-20-x-35mm-Pack-of-2/p/117174>
>
> Unfortunately, there's no indication of how to undo a closed latch. If
> it doesn't come undone with multiple attempts, it might be worth going
> through identical products to see if there are alternative pictures
> and/or how someone else has undone a stuck latch. If the latch didn't
> come with clear fitting instructions, have a look at the diagram here:
> <https://www.amazon.co.uk/LOFT-DOOR-TOUCH-CATCH-Hatch/dp/B00CJF9ILQ>

Those are a terrible idea...

If the main body is able to slide back on it's two fixing screws, then
there is no way to release it, from the front. It should have been
tested after install, by having someone in the loft, to release it if it
failed to release. Once working they need a third screw, fitting behind
the main body, to stop it sliding back. Obviously, to late now.

Best suggestion I can make, to minimise damage, is make a narrow lip on
the edge of a bit of steel, then try to hook down a bit, then try
pushing up to release.

[Paul]

On 10/13/2023 7:05 AM, Animal wrote:
> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed & latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm, how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
>

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LOFT-DOOR-TOUCH-CATCH-Hatch/product-reviews/B00CJF9ILQ

United Kingdom
Mr S Leigh
1.0 out of 5 stars Avoid

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 April 2023
Verified Purchase

This is without a shadow of a doubt the worst purchase I have ever made from Amazon.
The instructions are barely readable and are far from obvious. The screws that are
included are poor quality and round off easily.

The spring catch has now closed and will not open rendering the latch/catch useless,
and has now ended up in the bin!!

Mr. Kevin Harper
3.0 out of 5 stars

Not really suitable for a loft hatch!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 July 2016

https://www.amazon.co.uk/LOFT-DOOR-TOUCH-CATCH-Hatch/dp/B00CJF9ILQ

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41xpe5WKLbL._AC_SX425_.jpg

Just a guess, but the tongue at 22, needs to be lifted off of 10.

*******

OK, getting warmer.

https://www.gjohns.co.uk/frame-mounted-large-touch-latch-for-push-to-open-cupboard-doors-and-loft-hatches.html

"The door must be able to be pushed inwards by a minimum of 2mm for the spring to release."

As someone said in a review, "measure carefully", but
they didn't explain what the deal was.

I was hoping to find a video. but no luck.

And the door cannot have springs on the hinge, or the
mechanism would not "touch and release" as there would be no gap
for careful fitting of the mechanism.

There is a picture on that page, of a loft implementation. They
kinda messed up the hinge type here.

https://www.gjohns.co.uk/media/wysiwyg/Locks-And-Latches-Diagrams/Diagram-Showing-A-Press-To-Open-Touch-Latch-Fitted-To-A-Loft-Hatch-Door.gif

Paul

[Animal]

I daresay I can bar it but it would cause destruction. There's no flex in the frame or the hatch. I get thefeeling this little piece of tat is going to cost a new loft hatch.

[Animal]

A few people have mentioned that a bit of hatch movement is critical to its operation, but I don't think that's the problem, the hatch moves more than 2mm up & down no problem. But the latch just don't let go. Once positioned it uses pins to stop it moving further in.
There's a bit of thin bendable metal strip that comes pre-bent & is used to set the tongue position. It struck me that this is easily bent at any time before using it, eg during transport or storage, thus misaligning the tongue. I suspect this is the cause.
I'll try the things folk suggested, though I'm not filled with confidence. What else do people use for loft hatch latches? Interior door lock?

[Paul]

At the current time, how much play in the vertical direction is there ?

As I understand it, there must be play in the thing (an air gap), for it to work.

Striking the local area near the latch with a hammer won't work, because there
would not be enough compression of materials, for it to release.

If you have play, then you could get it open.

Paul

[noth...@aolbin.com]

On 13/10/2023 12:05, Animal wrote:

> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed & latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm, how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction

Drill a hole underneath it (big enough that you can definitely get into
the catch), do whatever is needed to defeat the catch, replace the catch
and make sure the new one works correctly, plug the hole and paint or
fit a thin cover over the hole in case you need access in the future.

[wasbit]

On 13/10/2023 12:05, Animal wrote:

> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed & latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm, how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
>

No help to you but mine was installed back in the 80s & still works
perfectly. It came from Screwfix Yeovil via mail order before they
opened branches countrywide.

--
Regards
wasbit

[The Natural Philosopher]

We were terribly careful to make sure mine would unlatch before we
screwed it in place.
Sometimes you can jammy a jammed one open.

--
“when things get difficult you just have to lie”

― Jean Claud Jüncker

[charles]

In article <ugdtld$3r2gv$1...@dont-email.me>,

Ah - the original Screwfix. I once visited the Yeovil shop. Then they were
bought out by Kingfisher (B&Q owners) and went national.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England - sent from my RISC OS 4t้ฒ
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

[John J]

On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 12:05:56 UTC+1, Animal wrote:
> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed & latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm, how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction

Self inflicted injury? I think id have opted for a simple, visible small cupboard bolt.

[Robin]

If you have a high ceiling you can end up needing to fetch a ladder to
open the bolt to drop the loft ladder. The latch in question allows you
to use the pole for the loft ladder to open the hatch. But I prefer a
latch you twist to engage a tongue in a slot: IMO less likely to jam,
and if it does you have a chance of getting a hacksaw blade to it.

--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

[Animal]

On Saturday, 14 October 2023 at 05:24:12 UTC+1, Paul wrote:
> On 10/13/2023 11:22 PM, Animal wrote:
> > On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 16:20:34 UTC+1, Tricky Dicky wrote:
> >> Animal <tabb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>> On Friday, 13 October 2023 at 15:46:50 UTC+1, fred wrote:
> >>>> On Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:05:56 PM UTC+1, Animal wrote:
> >>>>> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed &
> >>>>> latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm,
> >>>>> how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
> >>>> I would try repeated attempts to dislodge it
> >>>
> >>> What do you mean? How?
> >>>
> >> I think he means push it with increasing force to see if it will dislodge
> >> failing that I am sure Toolsatan will sell you a perfectly good crowbar to
> >> wrench it open.
> >
> > I daresay I can bar it but it would cause destruction. There's no flex in the frame or the hatch. I get thefeeling this little piece of tat is going to cost a new loft hatch.
> >
> At the current time, how much play in the vertical direction is there ?

plenty.

> As I understand it, there must be play in the thing (an air gap), for it to work.
>
> Striking the local area near the latch with a hammer won't work, because there
> would not be enough compression of materials, for it to release.
>
> If you have play, then you could get it open.
>
> Paul

how?

[Animal]

Sure, that doesn't meet what's required though. No obvious means of access is a good thing.

[Animal]

On Saturday, 14 October 2023 at 12:57:43 UTC+1, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
> On 14/10/2023 12:22, wasbit wrote:
> > On 13/10/2023 12:05, Animal wrote:
> >> Toolstation 97670 loft latch fitted as per instructions, it closed &
> >> latch but won't unlatch. Presume it needs alignment adjusting. So umm,
> >> how can it now be opened? Preferably without total destruction
> >>
> > No help to you but mine was installed back in the 80s & still works
> > perfectly. It came from Screwfix Yeovil via mail order before they
> > opened branches countrywide.
> >
> We were terribly careful to make sure mine would unlatch before we
> screwed it in place.

impossible. That can work with a cupboard door, no with a loft hatch.

> Sometimes you can jammy a jammed one open.

Yea, I just don't want the damage.

[Animal]

Sounds good. Reckon I'll try filler knives, which probably won't work, then attaching a handle to provide some force, and if that fails it's hole time.
Cheers

[Fredxx]

On 13/10/2023 12:05, Animal wrote:

What sort of latch his it? There are a few types.

Is there sufficient vertical clearance the bolt isn't hard pressed
against the catch?

What sort of clearance do you have to enter a tool in the space occupied
by the bolt?

[Paul]

Push up. (It should push up freely, and you should "feel" the mechanism as you do.)

Release.

Loft door falls downwards at you. Watch out!

It's supposed to work like a push and release cupboard door.
Which would be "poke in" with a small velocity, release
and the door should pop back so you can grab the edge.

That's what the mechanism looks like to me. One of those.

Paul

[Jim White]

In article <d344c5a0-2499-4896...@outlook.com>,
r...@outlook.com says...

Having fallen foul of a similar latch I fitted a mortice latch
which is released with a budget lock (T-handle) key. With a
small escutcheon over the keyhole it is barely noticeable once
painted. Doesn't fix your immediate problem though :-(

[John J]

Or you use a bolt with an "eye" and hook it with a traditional pole kept behind a door for use when required. 😀

[Animal]

Obviously the OP was asked because it isn't doing that.

[Fredxx]

The OP has been asked a number of questions, some of which remain
unanswered.

[Animal]

Update time. Levering & tool-poking got nowhere. Luckily the hatch had external hinges making it easy to remove. The tongue was bent a bit away from the frame & it then worked fine.