Patio Door Locks Repair
Your home's security depends on the locks that are installed on your patio door. If they're not functioning properly, it can affect the safety of your family and belongings.
Fortunately, a few simple steps can fix problems with patio door locks and ensure your home is secure. This quick fix is lubricating 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 out. Wear and tear, extreme temperatures, and dust can cause frame, hinges, and locking mechanisms to fail. It is recommended to be proactive about fixing these issues and to regularly inspect your sliding door locks for signs of damage and make the necessary repairs.
Some of the most common problems with patio door locks include difficulties locking or unlocking them, a stuck latch and keys that don't move smoothly. Depending on the specific issue it may be necessary to tighten screws or adjust the lock mechanism to get it working properly again.
If your patio door lock is stuck in the 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 causing damage to the frame.
The mortise lock that is used on sliding uPVC patio doors usually has an cylinder and handle that secures the lock. The locks are relatively safe, but they may be susceptible to breaking or breaking under the pressure of a slammed door. It is a good idea to examine the mortise lock and handle for signs of wear, for instance scratches or bends before it is broken and you need to replace it.
You can also take a photo of the lock to determine its size and location. This will enable you to communicate these details to a vendor when you're seeking a replacement lock. This will ensure that you get an appropriate lock that is compatible with the door and is compatible to the mounting configuration that's currently in place. Otherwise, you'll have an issue installing a new lock that isn't compatible with the current hardware. This could result in more complications in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are a popular entrance point into homes and are a frequent target for burglars. It is therefore vital to ensure that your patio door lock is fully functional and conforms to Police & Insurance Standards.
There are fortunately simple steps that you can follow to deal with locks that are refusing to cooperate. These four steps will assist you to make sure that your patio doors are working in the right way and provide the security you expect.
The first thing that you should do is give the lock a good clean with some hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You should wipe off any dirt or stains that may have accumulated on the lock. After this you can use a dry, clean cloth to remove any excess water and allow the lock to air-dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
The next step is to be sure to lubricate your lock. This is particularly crucial for patio doors made of uPVC as they can become extremely noisy with the passage of time. Use WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant, make sure you wipe your key afterward to avoid spreading any dirt that might have accumulated on it.
Once your uPVC patio doors have been cleaned and lubricated, then test them. Observe if the door slides smoothly into and out of its frame. Also, ensure that the hinges and locking points are aligned correctly with the frame of the door. You can see the alignment marks along the edges of the door frame. You can easily fix the alignment issues by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
Lastly, it's worth noting that there are various types of uPVC patio door locks that are available and you may need to replace the lock if the one you have is damaged or broken. If you own E2011 patio doors locks, you'll need to replace them to ensure that you are safe by using the E2469 and E2487 lock assembly. The assemblies consist of three components, including an E2014 mortise lock, escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For most patio doors, the lock mechanism is located within the door, away from view. If the key cylinder wears out or you simply want to upgrade the lock to increase security, you can buy an upgrade kit from many home improvement stores or locksmiths. The kits range from $10 to $20, and include a tool for opening the lock and a spare cylinder. Follow the instructions in your kit to disassemble and clean your old lock. Then install the new lock. You may have to adjust the cylinder slightly to ensure proper operation based on how tightly it fits into the lock hole in the door frame.
If you're looking to grease your lock, dry graphite powder is a common and inexpensive alternative to liquid-based lubricants that can cause dust to build up and damage the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores, model trains shops, and even some office supply stores. If you decide to use it, ensure that the piece of dry graphite is free from tiny bits of wood sticking to it. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. When applied to the lock, the solvent present in the spray evaporates, leaving a layer of dry graphite that locks without attracting dust or collecting moisture.
You can also add lubrication to your lock by putting a few sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. You can push your key in and out several times to distribute the fluid. After a few minutes, test the key again and check if it turns effortlessly. If the key is still stuck then try the lock again within a few days after the WD-40 has had time to dry.
The replacement of your patio door locks is a straightforward task for the majority of homeowners, however the process may be more complicated if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch as well as a deadbolt lock that is built-in. If your patio door is fitted with an invisible latch, it is necessary to remove the decorative interior cover by unscrewing screws that secure it. If your patio door comes with a deadbolt it will be necessary to remove the bolt. After removing the knob and the deadbolt assembly, you can put in the new lock.
Replace the Lock
It's not common for patio doors to malfunction. They are an important security feature of your home. The debris can get stuck inside the lock mechanism or it could simply get worn out by the use and age. A damaged patio door latch could pose an extremely dangerous security risk to your home. Regularly checking the locks on your patio doors will help ensure they are in good condition and allow you to quickly fix 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 existing lock. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help find the right replacement.
The first step in replacing a patio door lock is to take off 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 removing the screws you can remove the latch body from the door frame. Secure the lever with a graphite pen. It will fall into the frame if not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike from the jamb. This will reveal the hole the lock hook is inserted into when the patio door is closed. Once patio door window replacement is removed, you can install the new one in place.
It is crucial to use longer screws when re-screwing the door strike. They will be used to secure it to the frame. Verify that the new strike is aligned with opening of the door frame and tighten both together.
There are many different locks for patio doors. The most common is the central rail key-operated locking system. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at several points, and once keys are inserted all points must lock simultaneously. These locks offer a greater level security than basic locking mechanisms, and often result in lower homeowner's insurance premiums.