The wind whipped our new storm door and now it won't latch? Any suggestions on how to fix it?

-Need some more info... is the door an automatic closing type? Does it have the pneumatic bar that pulls it shut (metal cylinder with a bar that retracts, attached to the door and frame)? What is the latch like?

-The most likely damage, if the door is the type that closes automatically with a pneumatic closer, would be to the closer it self. When the door is over extended, as happens with a strong gust of wind when open, the metal bar from the cylinder bends and prevents it from retracting properly. This is a relatively cheap part that can be purchased at most hardware stores for $10 to $20. Just bring the old one with you, it's usually held in place by a few pins that you pop out. Slide the metal tab up (the one you use to keep the door open) and it will hold the door in place, allowing you to easily remove the pin(s).

-If the door does not have a pneumatic cylinder or safety / spring chain, then it most likely swung so far as to hit and damage the handle and latch itself. It may have noticeable physical damage or seem loose or 'wobbly'. This is also a fairly cheap part to replace, I have seen them under $10 at hardware stores. You can get universal ones, which should fit. You would need the thickness dimension of the door to ensure what you buy works. They usually come with instructions, if not ask the store for advice. If this is what was damaged, I would highly recommend buying a safety chain or spring chain to install on top of the door so this doesn't happen again!

-If the door is mounted near and opens towards the corner of the home, it can actually slam against it and bend the whole door if it is not structurally strong enough. This has the effect of not allowing the latch to reach the receiver on the door frame. You would have to push on it very hard to get it to latch. The door may or may not 'look' bent. If it looks bent... Well, you probably need a new door. Very hard to straighten... If it doesn't you could add a thin backing plate to the latch on the door so it sticks out further, basically a cheap way to get it to latch again!

-The hinges are another thing that could be damaged, but basically you can look at them to tell if they are bent. Use another storm / screen door for comparison. The hinges can usually be replaced by themselves but you need to be careful in lining them up if they are not exact replacement parts!

*You can also get any of these parts by calling your doors' manufacturer, where it is new they are probably under warranty if you can make it sound defective (i.e., don't mention the wind, hehehe). Maybe they could suggest or send a repairman as a no charge service call if the product contains that type of warranty.

I hope something here helps! Good luck!

Storm Door Safety Chain

That is funny, got the same problem. Exept that the door came with a lock above the handle which we just lock the door when extra windy. What is kind of odd is that the door only a few years old.

it depends on what broke it may need a new plunger or it may have pulled out some screws it could be a # of things hope this helps though

try putting a carpenter's square on each corner checking the frame for square.