Patio Door Locks RepairThe locks on your patio doors are an an integral part of your home's security. When they aren't working properly, it can affect the safety of your household and belongings.
It's simple to fix
emergency patio door repair door lock issues with a few simple steps. This fast fix involves lubricating and cleaning the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are an important security feature and they require a lot of effort to keep burglars and the elements at away. Wear and tear, extreme temperatures and dust can cause the frame, hinges, and locking mechanisms to fail. It is crucial to be proactive and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and make any necessary repairs.
The most frequent problems with patio door locks is difficulties locking or unlocking them, a stuck latch and keys that don't turn smoothly. Depending on the particular issue, you may need to tighten screws or adjust the mechanism of the lock in order to get it working again.
If the problem with your patio door lock is that it's stuck in an open position, you can try using the credit card or screwdriver with a flat-head to get it open. If none of these options work, contact a professional locksmith who can assist you in opening the patio door lock without damaging the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors are usually fitted with a mortise lock which utilizes a handle and locking cylinder to secure the lock. They are quite safe, but they may be susceptible to bend or breaking due to the weight of a slammed door. You should inspect the mortise locks and handles for indications of wear like bends or scratches before they break and you have to replace them.
You can also take a photo of the lock to determine its size and position. You can then give these details to a vendor if you are looking for an alternative lock. This will ensure you're getting an appropriate lock that will fit your door and is compatible with your current mounting configuration. If not, you'll face an issue installing a new lock that's not compatible with the existing hardware. That could lead to further issues later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are a popular entry point into the home which makes them a prime 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 a few easy 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 or clean the lock, or even replace it, these four simple steps will ensure that your doors are functioning properly and providing the security you'd like to have.
First, you should clean the lock with hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You want to wipe away any dirt or stains that may have accumulated on the lock. After that you can use dry, clean cloths to eliminate any excess moisture and let the lock air dry before you try to re-insert.
The next step is to lubricate your lock. This is especially crucial for doors made of uPVC that tend to become very squeaky in time. You can use a spray lubricant such as WD40 or petroleum jelly to smooth the keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant to your key, clean it off to prevent spreading any dirt that may have been accumulated.
Once your uPVC
patio doors repair doors have been cleaned and lubricated, you should then test them. Observe if the door slides effortlessly into and out of its frame. Also, make sure that the hinges and locking points are properly aligned with the frame of the door. You will notice alignment marks along the edges of the door frame. You can easily fix these by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
It's also worth noting that different types of uPVC door locks are available. It is possible to replace the lock if it's damaged or broken. For instance, if you have E2011 patio door locks, you'll have to replace them with E2469 or E2487 lock assemblies to be secure. The assemblies comprise three components: an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plate and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For the majority of patio doors, the lock mechanism is inside the door, hidden from the view. You can buy an upgrade kit from most home improvement stores and locksmiths when your key cylinder is worn out or if you're looking to upgrade your lock for better security. The kits cost from $10 to $20 and include a tool for opening the lock and an extra cylinder. Follow the directions in your kit to disassemble and clean the old lock, and then put in the new one. You may have to adjust the key cylinder slightly for proper operation depending on how tight it fits into the lock hole within the door frame.
Dry graphite powder is used to lubricate locks. It is a low-cost and widely used alternative to liquid lubricants which attract dust and gum the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores or model train shops as well as some office supply stores. If you choose to use it, make sure the graphite chunks are free of wood particles. You can also purchase the commercial graphite lubricant available in spray form. When applied to the lock, 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 grease the lock by spraying WD-40 into the keyway. Then, push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant throughout the lock. After a few moments, turn the key to see if it turns smoothly. If your key still sticks then try the lock again after a few days, when the WD-40 has had time to dry.
Changing your patio door locks is a simple project for the majority of homeowners, however the process can be more complicated if have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and a deadbolt lock that is built-in. If your
patio doors repair door is fitted with an invisible latch, it will be necessary to remove the decorative interior cover by removing the screws that hold it in place. If your patio door is equipped with a deadbolt it is required to remove the bolt. Install the new lock after taking out the deadbolt and knob.
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. Debris can get lodged inside the mechanism of the lock or it could simply wear out due to the use and age. In either case, a broken
patio doors repairs door latch poses a serious security risk to your home. Regularly checking the locks on your patio doors can help keep them in good shape and help you quickly fix any issues.
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 themselves, however, it's important to carefully follow the directions to ensure that the new lock will work with your existing lock. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help you to find the right replacement.
To replace the handle on a patio door, remove the handle. It is done by removing the screws that hold the interior handle in place. After the handle is removed, you will be able to gain access to the screws that hold the lock body in place.
Once the screws are removed and the screws are removed, you can lift the latch lever out of the door frame. Be sure to secure the lever using a graphite pencil since it will fall into the frame and get lost if it is not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike. The hole where the lock hook is located when the patio door is closed will be revealed. Once the door strike is removed you can put the new one in place.
When re-screwing a door strike, it's important to use longer screws as these will be used to attach the frame to the strike. Check that the new strike is in alignment with the opening of the door frame, and tighten both together.
There are various types of locks for patio doors however the most commonly used is the central rail key-operated lock. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at several points, and when keys are inserted all points should lock simultaneously. These locks offer a greater level of security than the standard locking mechanisms and can often result in discounts on homeowner's insurance.