Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are an an integral part of your home's security. If they're not working properly, you put your family's and possessions at risk.
It's simple to solve the problem of a patio door lock with a few simple steps. This easy fix is to lubricate and cleaning the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are an essential security feature. They must be strong enough to withstand the elements and keep burglars at bay. However, regular wear and tear, hot and cold weather dust, and other elements can cause damage to the door frames hinges, hinges and locking mechanisms. This can eventually cause them to cease to function as they ought to. It's important to be on the lookout and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and then make any repairs needed.
Among the most common problems that could affect your patio door locks is the difficulty locking or unlocking, a stuck latch, or a key that doesn't turn smoothly. It is possible to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws depending on the problem you are experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in an open position and you cannot pry it out, try using a flat-head or credit card. If none of these options are working, you should contact a professional locksmith who can assist you in opening the patio door lock without damaging the frame.
The mortise lock on sliding uPVC patio doors usually has an cylinder and handle that secures the lock. They are quite secure, but they could be susceptible to bend or breaking under the pressure of a door that has been slammed. It's a good idea to check the mortise lock and handle for indications of wear, like scratches or bends before it breaks and you have to replace it.
You can also take a photo of the lock to determine its size and position. This will help you provide these details to a vendor when you're searching for a new lock. This will ensure you get a lock that fits the door and is compatible to the mounting configuration that's currently in place. If not, you'll face an issue installing a new lock that's not compatible with the existing hardware. This could cause further issues later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most common point of entry into the home, and are therefore the most frequent target for burglars. Therefore, it's essential that the locks on your patio doors are fully functional and up to Police & Insurance standards.
There are a few easy steps you can take to repair a lock that is refusing to cooperate. If you have to re-align the patio door, clean the lock or even replace it, these four simple steps will ensure that your doors are operating correctly and provide the level of security that you expect.
The first thing that you must do is give the lock a thorough clean with some hot soapy water and a damp towel. You'll want to get rid of any dirt or stains that may have been accumulating on the lock. After that, you can use dry, clean cloths to eliminate any excess moisture and let the lock air-dry before you attempt to re-insert.
The next step is to lubricate your lock. This is particularly important for patio doors made of uPVC because they can become extremely noisy with the passage of time. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant on your key, wipe it off to prevent spreading any dirt that might have built up.
After your uPVC patio doors are cleaned and lubricated, you should then test them. Check if the door slides effortlessly into and out of its frame. Also, make sure that the hinges and locking points are aligned properly with the frame of the door. You should be able see the alignment marks on the edge of the door frame and you can easily correct them by aligning the doors to the frame.
It's also important to know that various types of uPVC door locks are available. You might need to replace your lock if it is damaged or broken. For instance, if your have E2011 patio door locks, you'll need to replace them with E2469 or E2487 lock assemblies to ensure that they are safe. The assemblies comprise three parts comprised of an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plates and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The lock mechanism for the majority of patio doors is concealed within the door. If the key cylinder wears out or you simply want to upgrade the lock for greater security, you can buy the replacement kit at most home improvement stores or locksmiths. These kits cost between $10 and $20, and include a tool for opening the lock and an additional key cylinder. The instructions in the kit will explain how to take apart and clean your old lock. Install the new lock. Depending on how securely the key cylinder fits in the hole in the lock it is possible to adjust it slightly to ensure proper operation.
If you are looking to grease your lock, dry graphite powder is an easy and affordable alternative to liquid-based lubricants that can draw dust and clog the mechanism. You can buy it at hardware stores, model train shops, and some office supply shops. If you decide to purchase it, make sure the graphite chunk is devoid of any wood particles. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. When applied to the lock, the solvent in the spray evaporates and leaves a layer of dry graphite which lubricates the lock without attracting dust or collecting moisture.
You can also lubricate the lock by spraying WD-40 in the keyway. Push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant across the lock. After a few minutes, test the key once more and see if it turns easily. If your key is still stuck, try it again few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Changing your patio door locks is a straightforward task for most homeowners, however the process could be more difficult if you have a sliding door with an invisible latch and deadbolt lock built-in. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you will have to remove the decorative cover by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place with a screwdriver. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt it is necessary to remove the bolt. Install the new lock after you have removed the deadbolt and knob.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an essential element of your home's security and it's not uncommon for them to malfunction from time to time. Debris can get lodged inside the mechanism of the lock or it may just get worn out by age and use. A broken patio door latch can pose a serious security threat to your home. Conducting regular inspections of your patio door locks can help keep them in good working order and allow you to easily correct any issues that arise.
If you find that lubricating your lock fails to solve the issue it's time to replace it. This is an easy task that most homeowners can handle by themselves, but it's crucial to follow the directions to ensure that the new lock will work with your existing lock. It's also a good idea to take the old lock with you to the store to ensure that a customer service representative can help you find the right replacement.
To replace the handle on a patio door, remove the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing the screws that hold the 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 the screws have been removed, you can lift the latch lever out of the door frame. Secure the lever with a graphite pen. It will fall into frame if it is not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike from the jamb. The hole where the lock hook is when the patio door is closed will be revealed. Once the old door strike is removed you can put the new one into place.
When you are re-screwing the door strike, it's important to use screws that are longer as these will be used to secure the frame to the strike. Verify that tilt and slide patio door repairs near me is aligned with the opening of the door frame, and then tighten them both.
There are various types of patio door locks however the most commonly used is a central rail lock that is operated by a key. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at several points, and when a key is inserted all of the points should lock at once. These locks provide a higher level of security than basic locking systems and may result in discounts on your homeowner's insurance.