Many people don’t know that there are two main types of door handle or knob attachments. Some have screws that can be seen from the outside, and others have screws that are invisible. It is most common for commercial door knobs to have hidden screws for security reasons.
The hidden screws are usually located in the inner portion of the casing of the door handle. You will have to find out how the casing comes apart to be able to access the screws to enable you to remove the door knob.
It may seem quite daunting at first as you don’t know what you’re dealing with until you open it up, but once you understand the basics, it becomes very easy. You will need a few things from the hardware store to do this.
Keep reading to find out how you can remove a commercial doorknob that doesn’t have visible screws.
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Look For Screws
The first step is to look for the hidden screws. You must know that all doorknobs have screws, so they will be there somewhere!
The hidden screws are usually placed under the cover plate. Start by looking underneath the door handle or knob. Here, you will find a grub screw that holds the handle and the bar and goes through the door latch to keep the knob in place.
You should also look under the plate where there is often a slot. This slot has a faceplate that has access to many of the main screws that help the door function.
Often, there is a small hole on the side of the inside handle. Pressing something inside that hole can help release the handle so it comes off. Next, you can pop off the trim ring and expose the screws. The trim ring or escutcheon is usually held by tension and can simply pop on or off.
What You Need To Remove A Commercial Door Knob Without Visible Screws
Here are the necessary tools required for taking off a commercial door knob without visible screws:
- A Phillips head screwdriver to remove the screws
- A flathead screwdriver to remove the faceplate of the doorknob
- Some screws to replace the faceplate
- A lubricant may help in removing the doorknob
Tips For Removing Screws
If the door has screw holes in a good condition, you can mark each screw hole face to know exactly where the screw should be removed. A Phillips head screwdriver works best for removing the screws.
It is recommended to wear utility gloves with good grip while removing the screws. The gloves should be grippy and secure so they don’t come off while you’re in the middle of the process.
The right sized screwdriver is necessary for removing each screw. Also, leave around 1/4 inch (or 6mm) of headspace on each screw. Once you have done this, you can remove the screw from the hole.
How to find the screws
In most cases, the securing screws are concealed under a cover or plate that is snapped onto the main base plate.
You can look for a small rectangle on the sides or bottom of the handle. Then, pry off the cap with a tiny screwdriver to expose the screws and disassemble it. You can push the cap back on in the same position when you want to reinstall it.
Use a sharp putty knife to gently pry off the cap if you can’t do it otherwise. You might locate a small protrusion on the bottom end and can start from there. If you are unable to find the screws, you should call the manufacturer to get this information.
How to remove the casing and door knob
Take off the faceplate from the door and remove the handle. You can use a flathead screwdriver to remove the cap on the inside of the door frame.
Next, remove the case by prying the housing with a flathead screwdriver. You will need to slide off the hinge to remove the plastic cap while ensuring it’s not compressed against the door hinge.
You should now be able to find some sort of push button to remove the knob.
Final Words
You now know that removing a commercial door knob that doesn’t have visible screws is possible.
There will be a way to remove the face plate to reveal the screws, which you can then undo to remove the door knob.
Just make sure you have all the tools and the right knowledge before you get started with the project, otherwise there’s a risk of damage to the door or door knob.
The above mentioned steps can guide you in the removal process if you ever need to replace the door knob quickly. If you feel confused or unfamiliar with the process of removing doors or hardware work in general, then it is always better to look for professional help.
