Patio Door Locks Repair
Your home's security is dependent on the locks on your patio door. If they're not functioning correctly, you could put your family's and possessions at risk.
Fortunately, a few simple steps will usually solve patio door lock problems 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 feature and must function effectively to keep burglars and elements at away. However, regular wear and tear, cold and hot weather dust, and other elements can affect the door frames hinges, hinges, and locking mechanisms and eventually, they stop functioning as they ought to. It's important to be proactive and regularly inspect your sliding doors for damage and then make any repairs that are required.
One of the most frequent issues that could affect your patio door locks is the difficulty locking or unlocking, a stuck latch, or a key that doesn't turn smoothly. You may have to adjust the lock mechanism or tighten screws according to the problem you are experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in the open position and you're unable to open it, try using a flat-head or credit card. If none of these methods work, contact an expert locksmith who will assist you in opening the lock on your patio door without causing damage to the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors are usually fitted with a mortise lock which utilizes a handle and locking cylinder to secure the lock. sliding glass door repairs are secure but they may bend or break under the weight of an open patio door that is slammed. It's a good idea to check the mortise lock and handle for indications of wear, such as scratches or bends before it breaks and you need to replace it.
It's also a good idea to determine the size and location of the existing lock by taking a picture with your digital camera. This will enable you to convey 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 with the current mounting setup. In the event that it isn't, you'll have a difficult time trying to install a lock that's not compatible with the current hardware. This could lead to further problems in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most frequent entrance point into the home, and are therefore the most frequent target for burglars. It is therefore essential that your patio door locks are secure and up to Police & Insurance standards.
There are a few easy steps you can take to solve a lock that doesn't cooperate. If you have to re-align the patio door and clean the lock or even replace the lock, these four steps will ensure that your doors are functioning correctly and offering the security you're looking for.
It is recommended to first clean the lock with hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You want to wipe away any dirt or stains that might have built up on the lock. After this you can use a dry, clean cloth to get rid of any excess water and allow the lock to dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
The next step is to make sure that the lock is lubricated. This is particularly important for doors made of uPVC, which can become extremely squeaky over time. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways as well as internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant on your key, clean it off to prevent spreading any dirt that has built up.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you should test it. Observe whether the door is moving into and out of the frame with ease. Also, ensure that the hinges and locking points are aligned properly with the frame of the door. You will notice alignment marks along the edges of the door frame. You can easily correct these by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
It's also worth noting that there are various types of uPVC patio door locks that are available and you may need to replace the lock if yours is 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 safe. These assemblies consist of three parts, including an E2014 mortise lock, an escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The mechanism of the lock for the majority of patio doors is concealed inside the door. You can buy an upgrade kit from most locksmiths and home improvement stores if your key cylinder has been damaged or if you're looking to upgrade your lock for greater security. These kits cost $10 to $20, and come with a tool for opening the lock as well as a spare cylinder. Follow the instructions in the kit for disassembling and cleaning your old lock. Then install the new lock. You may have to adjust the cylinder slightly to ensure proper operation depending on how tight it fits in the lock hole of the door frame.
Dry graphite powder is used to lubricate locks. It is a low-cost and common alternative to liquid lubricants which draw dust and clog the mechanism. You can purchase it at hardware stores, model trains shops, and some office supply stores. If you choose to use it, ensure that the graphite chunks are free of any wood particles. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. The solvent in the spray disperses when it is applied, leaving behind an uninspiring layer of graphite to lubricate the lock.
You can also grease the lock by spraying WD-40 into the keyway. The key should be pushed in and out several times to distribute the lubricant. After a few minutes, try the key again and see whether it turns effortlessly. If your key remains stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Changing your patio door locks is a simple project for the majority of homeowners, however the process could be more difficult if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and a deadbolt lock built-in. If your patio door is fitted with an invisible latch, it is necessary to take off the decorative interior cover by taking off the screws that hold it in place. If your patio door is equipped with a deadbolt, you will need to remove the bolt from the edge of the door. Install the new lock after you have removed the deadbolt and knob.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important element of your home's security and it's normal that they malfunction at times. Debris may get stuck in the mechanism of the lock, or it could wear out over the course of time. A damaged patio door latch can pose a major security risk to your home. A regular inspection of the patio door locks can help keep them in good condition and let you swiftly solve any problems.
If the lubrication of your lock doesn't solve the problem, it's time to replace it. This is a task that most homeowners can do themselves, however, it's important to carefully follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your current system. It's also an excellent idea to bring the lock you have previously used to the store to ensure that a customer support representative can help you find an alternative.
To replace a patio door handle take off the handle. This can be done by removing screws that hold the handle in place. After the handle has been removed, you can then gain access to the screws that connect the lock body to the jamb of the door.
After removing the screws, you can remove the latch body from the door frame. Be sure to fix the lever using a graphite pencil as it could be thrown into the frame and get lost if it's not secured. Next, remove the door strike. This will reveal the hole the lock hook goes into when the patio door is closed. Once the door strike is removed you can put the new one in.
It is important to use longer screws when re-screwing the door strike. They are used to secure it to the frame. Check that the new strike is in alignment with the opening of the door frame and then tighten them both.
There are many different locks for patio doors. The most commonly used is the central rail lock that is operated by a key. They lock the door into the frame in multiple places, and when the key is inserted, all of the points should lock. These locks offer a greater level of security than the standard locking mechanisms and can often result in discounts on homeowner's insurance.