The locks on your patio doors are an integral part of your home's security. When they aren't working properly, fit it can compromise the safety of your family and possessions.
Fortunately, a few simple steps can fix patio door lock problems and help keep your home safe. This simple fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are a vital security feature. They must be capable of surviving the elements and keep burglars away. Regular wear and tear, extreme temperatures, and dust can cause the frame, hinges, and locking mechanisms to fail. It's important to be proactive and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and make any who repairs sliding patio doors that are required.
Among the most common problems that can cause problems for your patio door locks is the difficulty in locking or unlocking, a sticky latch, and keys that don't rotate smoothly. It is possible to adjust the lock mechanism or tighten screws depending on the problem you are experiencing.
If the problem with your patio door lock is that it's stuck in an open position You can try using a credit card or a screwdriver with a flat-head to get it out. If neither of these methods work, you should consider hiring a professional locksmith to help you open the lock without causing damage to the door frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors are usually fitted with a mortise lock which uses a handle and a locking cylinder to secure the lock. The locks are relatively secure, but they can be prone to bending or breaking under the weight of a door that is slammed. It is a good idea to examine the mortise lock and handle for signs of wear, such as scratches or bends before it breaks and you must replace it.
You could also take a photograph of the lock to determine its dimensions and location. You can then provide these details to a vendor in the event that you're looking to purchase an alternative lock. This will ensure you're getting a lock that fits your door and is compatible with your current mounting configuration. Otherwise, you'll have an issue trying to install a lock that isn't compatible with the current hardware. This could lead to more issues later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most popular entrance point into the home and therefore the most frequent target for burglars. Therefore, it's essential that your patio door locks are functional and conform to Police & Insurance standards.
There are fortunately easy steps you can follow to deal with locks that are refusing to cooperate. These four steps will help you to ensure that your patio doors are functioning in the right way and provide the security you require.
The first thing you must do is give the lock a good clean using hot soapy water and a damp, clean cloth. You want to wipe away any dirt or stains that may have accumulated on the lock. After you've done 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 the lock. This is particularly crucial for doors made of uPVC that tend to become very squeaky in time. Use WD40 or petroleum jelly to grease keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant on your key, wipe it off to prevent spreading any dirt that might have been accumulated.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you should test it. Examine if the door moves smoothly inside and out of its frame. 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 edges of your door frame, and you can fix them by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
It's also important to note that there are different kinds of uPVC door locks are available. It is possible to replace your lock if it 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 ensure that they are secure. These assemblies consist of three parts comprising an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plates and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The lock mechanism for most patio doors is hidden within the door. If your key cylinder is wearing out or you simply want to upgrade your lock for greater security, you can buy an upgrade kit from many home improvement stores or locksmiths. The kits cost between $10 and $20 and include a tool to open the lock as well as a spare cylinder. The instructions in the kit will explain how to disassemble and clean the old lock. Install the new lock. You may have to adjust the cylinder slightly for proper operation, depending on how to repair patio door lock tightly it fits into the lock hole within the door frame.
If you're looking to lubricate your lock dry graphite powder is a common and cheap alternative to liquid-based lubricants that can cause dust to build up and damage the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores, model train shops and some office supply stores. If you choose to use it, ensure that the dry graphite chunk is free of tiny bits of wood sticking to it. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. The solvent in the spray evaporates when it is applied, leaving behind an uninspiring layer of graphite which lubricates the lock.
You can also add lubrication to your lock by putting several sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. Push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant throughout the lock. After a few moments then turn the key to see if it turns smoothly. If your key remains stuck, try it again few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Most homeowners can easily change their patio door locks but if the who repairs sliding patio doors door has an invisible latch or deadbolt lock built in the door, the process may be more complicated. If your emergency patio door repair door is fitted with an invisible latch, it will be required to remove the decorative interior cover by unscrewing screws that secure it. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt, you will need to remove the bolt from the door's edge. After removing both the deadbolt and knob assembly, you can put in the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important component of the security of your home and it's common for them to malfunction from time to time. There are times when debris can get caught in the lock mechanism or it could simply get worn out by age and use. In either scenario, a damaged patio door latch presents an immediate security risk to your home. Regularly checking your patio door locks will help to keep them in good working order and let you easily fix any issues that may arise.
If the lubrication of your lock doesn't solve the issue then it's time to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can do by themselves, but it is important to follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock will work with your existing lock. You can also bring your old lock to the store to assist you locate the right replacement.
To replace the handle on a patio door, remove the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing screws that keep the handle in place. After the handle is removed, you can then gain access to the screws that connect the lock body to the jamb of the door.
Once the screws are removed and the screws are removed, you can lift the latch lever out of the door frame. Secure the latch lever using a graphite pen. It will fall into frame if it isn't secured. The next step is to remove the door strike from the jamb. This will reveal the hole that the lock hook fits into when the patio door is closed. After you have removed the old door strike, you are able to put the new one in.
When you are re-screwing the door strike, you must be sure to use longer screws as they'll be used to attach the frame to the strike. Check that the new strike is aligned with the opening of the door frame and tighten both together.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors. The most commonly used is the central rail lock with key operated. They bolt the doors to the frame at various points, and when a key is inserted all of the points should lock at once. These locks provide a higher level of security than basic locking systems and can often result in discounts on your homeowner's insurance.
Patio Door Locks Repair
