Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are crucial to your home's security. If they're not functioning correctly, you could put your family's and possessions at risk.
Fortunately, a few easy steps can usually fix problems with patio door locks and help keep your home safe. This fast fix involves lubricating and cleaning the lock.
Inspect the Lock
Patio doors are a vital security feature. They should be capable of surviving the elements and keep burglars at bay. However, wear and tear, cold and hot weather and dust can affect the door frames hinges, hinges and locking mechanisms. This can eventually cause them to cease to function as they should. It is crucial to be proactive and regularly inspect your sliding doors for damage and make any necessary repairs.
The most frequent issue that could affect your patio door locks is the difficulty locking or unlocking, a stuck latch, and keys that don't move smoothly. Depending on the particular issue it may be necessary to tighten screws or adjust the lock mechanism to get it functioning properly again.
If the issue with the lock on your patio door is that it's stuck in the open position Try using a credit card or a screwdriver with a flat head to break it out. If these methods don't work, you should consider calling a professional locksmith to help you open the lock without damaging the door frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors are usually fitted with a mortise lock which includes a handle as well as a cylindrical lock to secure the lock. They are secure however they can be damaged or bent under the weight of an slammed patio door. It is a good idea to check the mortise lock and handle for indications of wear, such as scratches or bends, before it is broken and you have to replace it.
It's also a good idea to know the dimensions and location of the existing lock by taking a picture using your digital camera. You can then give these details to a vendor in the event that you're looking to purchase an alternative lock. This will ensure you're getting an appropriate lock that will fit your door and is compatible with your current mounting setup. It will be difficult to install locks that aren't compatible with your existing hardware. This could lead to further problems in the future.
Clean repairmywindowsanddoors are the most popular entry point into a home, making them an ideal target for burglars. It is therefore vital to ensure that your patio door lock is fully functional and meets Police & Insurance Standards.
There are a few simple steps you can take to repair a lock that is refusing to cooperate. It doesn't matter if you want to adjust the patio door and clean the lock or even replace it, these four simple steps will ensure that your doors are operating correctly and offering the level of security you're looking for.
It is recommended to first clean the lock using hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You will want to remove any dirt or stains that may have been accumulating on the lock. Once you've done this then you can use a dry, clean cloth to wipe away any excess water and let the lock dry completely before trying to re-insert it.
Then, you must lubricate the lock. This is especially important for patio doors made of uPVC as they can become very squeaky as they age. You can use a spray lubricant like WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate the keyways and internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant, ensure that you clean your keys afterward to avoid spreading any grime that may have accumulated on it.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, make sure you test it. Examine whether the door is moving in and out of the frame with ease. Make sure that the hinges and the locking point are properly aligned with the frame. You will notice alignment marks along the edge of the door frame. You can easily correct the problem by re-aligning the doors to the frame.
It's also worth noting that there are different kinds of uPVC door locks are available. It is possible to replace your lock if it's damaged or broken. For example, if you 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 plates and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The lock mechanism for the majority of patio doors is concealed inside the door. You can buy a replacement kit at most locksmiths and home improvement stores if your key cylinder has worn out or if you want to upgrade your lock for greater security. The kits cost between $10 and $20 and include a tool for opening the lock and an extra cylinder. Follow the instructions in your kit to disassemble and clean your old lock. Then put in the new one. Depending on how tight the key cylinder fits in the lock hole it may be necessary to adjust it slightly to ensure proper operation.
If you are looking to lubricate your lock, dry graphite powder is a common and cheap alternative to liquid lubricants which can cause dust to build up and damage the mechanism. It can be purchased from hardware stores, model train shops and some office supply stores. If you decide to purchase it, ensure that 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 helps to lubricate the lock without drawing dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also lubricate your lock by applying a few sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. Push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant across the lock. After a few moments you can turn the key and see if it moves smoothly. If your key is still stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Most homeowners can change their patio door locks but if the sliding door has an invisible latch or deadbolt lock the door, the process might be more difficult. If your patio door is equipped with an invisible latch, it's necessary to take off the decorative interior cover by taking off the screws that hold it in place. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt, you will need to remove the bolt from the door's edge. Install the new lock after removing the deadbolt assembly and the knob.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important component of the security of your home and it's not uncommon that they malfunction at times. Debris can get lodged inside the lock mechanism or it may just wear out due to age and use. A damaged or broken patio door latch can be a serious security threat to your home. Regularly inspecting patio door locks can keep them in good shape and allow you to quickly correct any issues.
If you find that lubricating your lock fails to solve the problem it's time to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can handle themselves, however, it is important to follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your current system. It's also recommended to bring the old lock with you to the store to ensure that a customer service representative can assist you in locating a replacement.
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 it will be possible to access the screws holding 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 the frame if it isn't secured. The next step is to remove the door strike. This will reveal the hole that the lock hook is inserted into when the patio door is closed. Once the old door strike has been removed, you can screw the new one in.
It is essential to use screws with longer lengths when replacing a door strike. They are used to fix it to the frame. Make sure that the new strike is in alignment with the opening of the door frame, and then tighten them both.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors, but the most common is the central rail key-operated lock. They lock the door into the frame in multiple places and, when the key is inserted, all of the points will be locked. These locks provide a higher level security than basic locking mechanisms and can often result in discounts on homeowner's insurance.