Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are an integral part of your home's security. If they're not functioning properly, it can affect the security of your family and belongings.
Fortunately, a few easy steps will usually solve patio door lock problems and help keep your home safe. This quick fix is lubricating and cleaning the lock.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are an essential security feature. They should be strong enough to withstand the elements and keep burglars away. However, regular wear and tear, cold and hot weather and dust can take their toll on the door frames hinges, hinges and locking mechanisms and eventually cause them to stop functioning as they ought to. It's important to be proactive and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and then make any repairs that are required.
Among the most common problems that may cause problems for your patio door locks is the difficulty in locking or unlocking, a sluggish latch, or keys that don't move smoothly. You may need to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws according to the issue you're experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in an open position and you're unable to open it try using a flat-head or credit card. If none of these options work, call a professional locksmith who will help you open the door lock without causing damage to the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors typically come with a mortise lock which uses a handle and a locking cylinder to secure the lock. These locks are secure but they may be damaged or bent when a open patio door that is slammed. You should check the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear such as scratches or bends before they break, and you'll need to replace them.
You can also snap a picture of the lock to determine its size and position. Then, you can provide these details to a supplier if you are looking for the right lock. This will ensure you're getting the right lock for your door and is compatible with your current mounting setup. You'll have trouble installing locks that aren't compatible with the hardware you have already. This could lead to further problems in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most popular entrance point into the home, making them an ideal target for burglars. It is therefore vital that the lock on your patio door is fully functional and conforms to Police & Insurance Standards.
There are a few simple things you can do to repair a lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will allow you to ensure that your patio doors are functioning in the right way and provide the security you require.
It is recommended to first clean the lock with hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You should wipe off any stains or dirt that may have accumulated on the lock. After you've done this you can use a dry cloth to get rid of any excess water and let the lock dry completely before attempting to re-insert it.
Next, you should make sure that your lock is lubricated. This is particularly important for doors made of uPVC, which tend to become very squeaky in time. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways as well as internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant to your key, clean it off to avoid redistributing any dirt that might have been accumulated.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you should test it. Check to see if the door is moving in and out of the frame smoothly. Also, ensure that the hinges and locking points are properly aligned with the frame of the door. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edge of your door frame, and you can easily fix them by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
Also, it's important to note that there are different 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. For instance, if your have E2011 patio door locks, you'll need to replace them with E2469 or E2487 lock assemblies to ensure that they are safe. These assemblies are made up of three components, which include an E2014 mortise lock, an escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The lock mechanism for most patio doors is hidden within the door. You can buy a replacement kit at most locksmiths and home improvement stores if your key cylinder has been damaged or you're looking to upgrade your lock to provide better security. These kits range between $10 and $20 and include a tool to open the lock, as well as a spare cylinder. The instructions in the kit will show you how to disassemble and clean your old lock. Install the new lock. Depending on how tight the key cylinder fits in the lock hole it may be necessary to adjust it a bit for proper operation.
If you're looking to lubricate your lock dry graphite powder is a popular and cheap alternative to liquid-based lubricants that can attract dust and gum up the mechanism. You can buy it at hardware stores, model train shops, and a few offices supply stores. If you choose to use it, make sure that the graphite chunks are free of any wood particles. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. The solvent in the spray disperses when applied, leaving a dry layer of graphite which lubricates the lock.
You can also lubricate the lock by spraying WD-40 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 the key does not turn you can try it again within a few days after the WD-40 has been allowed to dry.
The replacement of your patio door locks is a straightforward task for most homeowners, but the process may be more difficult if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch as well as a deadbolt lock built-in. If your patio door is fitted 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 is fitted with a deadbolt it is necessary to take off the bolt. Install the new lock after removing the deadbolt and knob.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are a crucial component of the security of your home and it's not uncommon for them to malfunction from time to time. There are times when debris can get stuck in the mechanism of the lock, or it could simply wear out over the course of time. In either case, a broken patio door latch poses a serious security risk to your property. Regularly inspecting patio door locks will help ensure they are in good shape and allow you to quickly correct any issues.
If you can't fix the problem then you'll have to replace it. This is an easy task that most homeowners can handle at home, however, it's crucial to follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock will work with your existing lock. It's also an excellent idea to bring the old lock with you to the store so that a customer service representative can assist you in locating the right replacement.
To replace a patio door handle remove the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing screws that secure the handle. Once Repair My Windows And Doors has been removed, you will be able to access the screws holding the lock body in place.
After removing the screws, you can remove the latch body from the door frame. Make sure you secure the latch lever with a graphite pencil as it could slide into the frame and become lost if not secured. The next step is to take the door strike from the jamb. The hole where the lock hook is located when the patio door closes will be revealed. After removing the door strike, you are able to put the new one in.
When re-screwing the door strike, it's important to use longer screws as these will be used to fix the frame to the strike. Verify that the new strike is aligned with opening of the door frame and tighten both together.
There are various types of patio door locks, but the most common is a central rail key-operated lock. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at several points, and once keys are inserted all points should lock simultaneously. These locks provide a higher level of security than standard locking systems and may provide discounts on your homeowner's insurance.