Bolt for bathroom door

[Karen2005]

I need to fix a bolt to my bathroom door (there never has been one, but as my family are coming to me for Christmas, I thought I should spare their blushes and put one in).

However, I am a COMPLETE DIY novice. I've bought the bolt, which comes with its own screws. What do I do now? Which side do I start with (the door or the door frame)? How do I make sure it's level, so the bolt actually slides shut? Do I use a drill and slot the screws in? Do I need rawl plugs?

See, I told you I have no idea! I could just give it a go, but I don't want to ruin the door...

[MORELLO]

With you in the bathroom, shut the door and hold the bolt against it in desired position.
Hold the part (name?) which the bolt slides into, on the adjacent door frame.
If your lucky the door and frame will be level with each other, ie. neither will stand proud of the other, and the bolt will cross the gap.

In some cases you may need to use a chisel to remove a bit of the frame so as the bolt will slide across.

When they are level, holding them in position - bolt first, mark through the screw holes with a pencil.

You may want to make a small hole in each 'mark' to guide the screw, but as they are small you don't need a drill.

If everything was aligned properly, you should again be able to hold the parts in place and simply screw in one screw at a time until the two pieces are in place and the bolt slides easily...

[gasman]

There is a video on this link if you click on it to help you Karen

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-fit-a-slid ing-bolt

Good Luck..

[Karen2005]

Thank you both so much. I'll give it a go tomorrow.

Karen

[Solarjunkie]

What about a notice that hangs on the handle, like a "do not disturb" one in a hotel?
"Busy" on one side and "free" on the other, for example!
The rule in our house is simply door closed - occupied, there are no locks.