How to secure aluminium window lock handle that keeps falling off

aluminummountingscrews

The lock handle on my aluminium windows keeps falling off. The handle had previously fallen off when I first moved in a year ago and the landlord remounted it. Since then it has become loose a few times, but has been able to be screwed back in. Now the two screws no longer hold. The internal thread (?) on the window frame is only a few millimetres thick.

How can I securely remount this handle?

I am not sure of the screw size/type, but below is a photo. Handle

Best Answer

The screw you're showing is a self-tapping metal screw. It's designed to cut it's own channel into metal and grab hold by cutting it's own threads - but it's not meant for repeated uses because repeat uses can damage it's own threads, making its hole too big for it.

Take it to the local hardware store and get one that is slightly wider in diameter, and use it in place of the old one.