Patio Door Locks RepairThe locks on your patio doors are an crucial to your home's security. If they don't work properly, you can put your family's and possessions at risk.
A few simple steps can usually fix issues with your patio door lock and ensure your home is secure. This easy fix is to lubricate and cleaning the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are an important security element and must function effectively to keep burglars and the elements at bay. Regular wear and wear, extreme temperatures and dust can cause the frames, hinges and locking mechanisms to fail. It's important to be proactive and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and then make any repairs that are required.
Some of the most frequent problems with patio door locks include difficulties locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck and keys that don't move smoothly. You may need to adjust the lock mechanism or tighten screws based on the issue you're experiencing.
If the issue with your patio door lock is that it's stuck in the open position You can try using credit card or a flat-head screwdriver to pry it loose. If neither of these solutions work, call a professional locksmith who can assist you in opening the patio door lock without damaging the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors usually come with a mortise lock that utilizes a handle and locking cylinder to secure the lock. They are secure however they can be damaged or bent under the weight of an open patio door that is slammed. You should inspect the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear such as bends or scratches prior to when 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 photograph with your digital camera. You can then give these details to a supplier if you are looking for the right lock. This will ensure you get the right lock for your door and is compatible to the existing mounting setup. It will be difficult to install a lock that isn't compatible with your existing hardware. This could result in more complications in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are an incredibly common entry point into your home, making them a prime target for burglars. It is therefore essential that the locks on your patio doors are secure and up to Police & Insurance standards.
There are some simple steps you can take to repair a lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will help you to ensure that your patio doors are operating properly and are providing the security you need.
You should first clean the lock with hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You'll want to get rid of any dirt or stains which have built up on the lock. After you've done this, you can use dry, clean cloths to remove any excess moisture and let the lock air-dry before attempting to re-insert it.
The next step is to make sure that the lock is lubricated. This is particularly crucial for patio doors made of uPVC because they can become extremely noisy with the passage of time. Spray lubricant like WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant on your key, clean it off to avoid redistributing any dirt that has been accumulated.
Once your uPVC patio doors have been cleaned and lubricated, you should then test them. Examine if the door moves smoothly into and out of its frame. Make sure that the hinges and locking points are aligned properly with the frame. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edges of your door frame, and you can fix them by re-aligning the doors to the frame.
Also, it's important to note that there are different types of uPVC patio door locks available and you may need to replace the lock if it is damaged or broken. For instance, if your have E2011
patio doors repairs near me door locks, you'll need to replace them with E2469 or E2487 lock assemblies to ensure that they are secure. These assemblies consist of three parts comprised of an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plate and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The mechanism of the lock for most patio doors is hidden within the door. You can purchase an upgrade kit from most locksmiths and home improvement stores if your key cylinder has been damaged or if you want to upgrade your lock for better security. These kits range between $10 and $20 and include a tool for opening the lock as well as an extra cylinder. Follow the instructions in your kit for disassembling and cleaning your old lock, then put in the new one. You may need to adjust the cylinder of your key slightly to ensure it is operating properly depending on how tight it fits in the lock hole in the door frame.
If you are looking to grease your lock, dry graphite powder is a popular and cheap alternative to liquid lubricants which can draw dust and clog the mechanism. You can purchase it at hardware stores, model train shops, and a few office supply shops. If you choose to use it, make sure the graphite chunks are free of any wood particles. You can also buy the commercial graphite lubricant available in spray form. After application, the solvent in the spray evaporates, leaving behind a layer of dry graphite which helps to lubricate the lock without drawing dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also add lubrication to your lock by putting a few sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. Push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant throughout the lock. After a few minutes, try the key again and check 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 the majority of homeowners, however the process could be more difficult if you have a
sliding patio door repair door that has an invisible latch and deadbolt lock that is built-in. If your patio door comes with an invisible latch, it will be necessary to remove the decorative interior cover by unscrewing screws that hold it in place. If your patio door has a built-in deadbolt, you will need to remove the bolt from the edge of the door. After you have removed the knob and the deadbolt assembly, you can put in the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an essential component of the security of your home and it's not uncommon that they malfunction at times. There are times when debris can get stuck within the lock mechanism or it may wear out over time. In either scenario, a damaged patio door latch presents a serious security risk to your property. Regularly inspecting
local patio door repairs door locks can help keep them in good condition and help you quickly correct any issues.
If lubricating the lock does not fix the problem then you'll have to replace it. Many homeowners can handle this task themselves. However, it's crucial to carefully go through the directions to ensure that your new lock is compatible. You can also bring your old lock to the store to assist you find an alternative.
The first step in replacing the lock on a patio door is to take off the handle. You can do this by unscrewing the screws which hold the handle in place. After the handle has been removed, you are able to gain access to the screws that connect the lock body to the jamb of the door.
After the screws have been removed, you can remove the latch body of the door frame. Be sure to secure the lever using a graphite pencil since it could fall into the frame and become lost if it's not secured. Then, take off the door strike. This will reveal the hole the lock hook goes into when the patio door is closed. After you have removed the old door strike, you can screw in the new one.
When re-screwing the door strike, it is important to use screws that are longer as they'll be used to attach the frame to the strike. Verify that the new strike is in alignment with the opening of the door frame and tighten both together.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors. The most commonly used is the central rail lock with key operated. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at several points, and when a key is inserted all points must lock simultaneously. These locks offer a greater level of security than standard locking mechanisms, and often result in lower homeowner's insurance premiums.
