Patio Door Locks Repair
The security of your home is dependent on the locks on your patio door. If they're not functioning properly, you put your family's and possessions at risk.
Fortunately, a few simple steps will usually solve problems with patio door locks and keep your home secure. This quick fix is lubricating and cleaning the lock.
Inspect the Lock
Patio doors are an essential security feature. They need to be capable of surviving the elements and keep burglars away. However, the wear and tear, hot and cold weather and dust can take their toll on the door frames hinges, hinges and locking mechanisms. This can eventually cause them to stop functioning as they ought to. It is essential to be proactive and regularly inspect your sliding doors for damage, and make any repairs needed.
Some of the most frequent problems with patio door locks are difficulties locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck, and keys that don't move smoothly. It is possible to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws based on the issue you're experiencing.
If the issue with your patio door lock is that it's stuck in an open position You can try using a credit card or a flat-head screwdriver to pry it open. If neither of these solutions are working, you should contact a professional locksmith who will help you open the door lock without damaging the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors are usually fitted with a mortise lock which includes a handle as well as a cylinder to secure the lock. These locks are fairly safe, but they may be prone to bending or breaking under the weight of a door that is slammed. You should inspect the mortise locks and handles for indications of wear like bends or scratches before they break and you have to replace them.
It's an excellent idea to know the dimensions and positioning of the existing lock by taking a photo with your digital camera. This will help you communicate these details to a supplier when you're looking for a replacement lock. This will ensure that you get the right lock for your door and is compatible to the mounting configuration that's currently in place. Otherwise, you'll have an issue installing a new lock that's not compatible with the existing hardware. This could result in more complications in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are a popular entry point into your home and are a frequent target for burglars. As such, it's crucial that your patio door locks are functional and conform to Police & Insurance standards.
There are fortunately easy steps you can follow to handle the lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will help you make sure that your patio doors are operating in the right way and provide the security you need.
The first thing that you must do is give the lock a good clean with some hot soapy water and a damp, clean cloth. You'll need to get rid of any dirt or stains that have built up on the lock. After this you can use a dry cloth to get rid of any excess water and allow the lock to air-dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
Then, you must make sure that the lock is lubricated. This is particularly important for uPVC doors that tend to become very squeaky in time. Spray lubricant such as WD40 or petroleum jelly to smooth the keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant to your key, clean it off to avoid spreading any dirt that might have built up.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you must test it. Check to see if the door is moving through the frame without a hitch. Also, make sure that the hinges and locking points are aligned correctly with the frame of the door. You can see alignment marks along the edges of the frame. You can easily correct the alignment issues by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
Lastly, it's worth noting that there are different types of uPVC patio door locks available, and you may have to replace the lock if yours is damaged or broken. For instance, if your have E2011 patio door locks, you'll have to replace them with E2469 or E2487 lock assemblies to be secure. These assemblies consist of three components comprised of an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plate and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For most patio doors, the lock mechanism is situated within the door, away from the view. You can purchase replacement kits at many home improvement stores and locksmiths when your key cylinder is been damaged or if you want to upgrade your lock for better security. The kits range from $10 to $20, and include tools for opening the lock as well as an additional key cylinder. The instructions in the kit will explain how to remove and clean the old lock. Install the new lock. You may need to adjust the key cylinder slightly for proper operation depending on how tight it fits in the lock hole of the door frame.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is a cheap and widely used alternative to liquid lubricants, which can attract dust and gum the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores, model train shops, and some offices supply stores. If you decide to use it, ensure that the chunk of dry graphite is free of tiny pieces of wood sticking to it. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. The solvent in the spray evaporates once it is applied, leaving behind a dry layer of graphite which lubricates the lock.
You can also lubricate your lock by applying a few sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. The key should be pushed in and out several times to spread the lubricant. After a couple of minutes then turn the key to check if it is turning smoothly. If sliding patio door repair stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Most homeowners can easily change their patio door locks but if the sliding door has an invisible latch or deadbolt lock the door, the process may be more complicated. If your patio door is equipped with an invisible latch, it will be necessary to take off the decorative interior cover by unscrewing screws that hold it in place. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt, you'll need to remove the bolt from the edge of the door. After removing the deadbolt and the knob assembly, you can install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
It's not uncommon for patio doors to malfunction. They are a crucial security feature of your home. Debris can get lodged inside the mechanism of the lock or it could simply wear out with age and use. In either case, a damaged patio door latch can pose an extremely risk to the security of your property. Conducting regular inspections of your patio door locks will keep them in good working order and will allow you to solve any issues that occur.
If the lubrication of your lock doesn't solve the issue it's time to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can complete by themselves, but it's crucial to follow the directions to ensure that the new lock will work with your existing system. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help locate an alternative.
To replace the handle on a patio door remove the handle. It is done by unscrewing the screws that hold the interior handle in place. Once the handle has been removed you will be able to gain access to the screws that hold the lock body in place.
After removing the screws you can slide out the latch body from the door frame. Be sure to secure the latch lever with a graphite pencil since it will be thrown into the frame and become lost if it is not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike. This will reveal the hole the lock hook fits into when the patio door is closed. After removing the door strike, you are able to install the new one.
It is crucial to use larger screws when replacing the door strike. They are used to fix it to the frame. You should also check that the new strike is properly aligned with the opening in the door frame and ensure that the two are secured.
There are various types of locks for patio doors, but the most common is the central rail key-operated lock. They bolt the door into the frame in multiple points and, once the key is inserted, all the points should lock. These locks provide a higher level of security than basic locking systems, and often provide discounts on your homeowner's insurance.