The locks on your patio door repair company near me doors are an crucial to your home's security. If they're not functioning correctly, it could compromise the safety of your household and belongings.
It's easy to fix problems with the patio door lock with a few simple steps. This easy fix is cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Inspect the Lock
Patio doors are a vital security feature. They should be capable of surviving the elements and keep burglars out. Wear and tear, extreme temperatures, and dust can cause door frames, hinges and locking mechanisms to fail. It's important to be proactive and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and make any repairs that are required.
The most frequent issue that may cause problems for your patio door locks is difficulty locking or unlocking, a sluggish latch, or keys that don't move smoothly. Depending on the specific issue you may have to tighten screws or adjust the mechanism of the lock to get it functioning properly again.
If the problem with the lock on your patio door is that it is stuck in the open position, you can try using credit card or a flat-head screwdriver to pry it out. If these methods don't work, you should consider calling a professional locksmith to help you open the lock without causing damage to the frame of the door.
sliding patio door repair near me uPVC patio doors usually come with a mortise lock which includes a handle as well as a cylinder to secure the lock. These locks are fairly secure, but they could be prone to bending or breaking under the weight of a slammed door. You should check the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear, such as bends or scratches prior to when they break and you need to replace them.
You can also snap a picture of the lock to determine its dimensions and location. You can then give these details to a supplier when you're looking for the right lock. This will ensure that you get a lock that fits your door and is compatible with the current mounting configuration. You'll have trouble installing the lock that's not compatible with your existing hardware. This could lead to more problems later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most common entry point into a home and therefore a prime target for burglars. Therefore, it is essential that your patio door lock is fully functional and meets Police & Insurance Standards.
There are a few simple things you can do to fix a lock that won't cooperate. If you have to re-align 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 level of security you expect.
The first thing you should do is give the lock a thorough clean with some hot soapy water and a damp, clean cloth. You'll need to get rid of any dirt or stains that may have built up on the lock. After you've done this, you can use dry cloths to get rid of any moisture and let the lock air dry before you attempt to re-insert.
The next step is to make sure that the lock is lubricated. This is especially crucial for patio doors made of uPVC as they can become very squeaky as they the passage of time. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways as well as internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant make sure to wipe off your key afterward to avoid spreading any grime that may have gathered on it.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you should test it. Check to see if the door is moving through the frame without a hitch. Also, make sure that the hinges and locking points are properly aligned with the frame of the door. You should be able see the alignment marks on the edges of the door frame and you can easily correct them by aligning the doors with the frame.
It's also important to know that there are different kinds of uPVC door locks are available. You may need to replace your lock if it is damaged or broken. If you have E2011 patio doors locks, you'll have to replace them to be safe with E2469 and E2487 lock assemblies. The assemblies consist of three parts, including an E2014 mortise lock, an escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The lock mechanism for the majority of patio doors is concealed within the door. You can purchase a replacement kit at most locksmiths and home improvement stores in the event that your key cylinder has been damaged or you're looking to upgrade your lock to provide better security. The kits cost from $10 to $20 and include a tool for opening the lock and an additional cylinder. Follow the instructions included in your kit for disassembling and cleaning your old lock, then put in the new one. You may have to adjust the key cylinder slightly for proper operation based on how tightly it fits into the lock hole within the door frame.
If you want to lubricate your lock dry graphite powder is a common and inexpensive alternative to liquid-based lubricants that can attract dust and gum up the mechanism. You can purchase it at hardware stores, model train shops, and a few office supply stores. If you choose to use it, ensure that the dry graphite chunk is free from tiny bits of wood that have stuck to it. You can also purchase an industrial graphite lubricant that is available in spray form. After application to the lock, the solvent present in the spray evaporates, leaving behind a layer of dry graphite that helps to lubricate the lock without drawing dust or collecting moisture.
You can also lubricate your lock by applying a few 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 seconds you can turn the key and see if it moves smoothly. If the key does not turn then try the lock again a few days later when the WD-40 has had time to dry.
Change the locks on your patio sliding doors repair door is a simple project for most homeowners, but the process could be more difficult if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch as well as a built-in deadbolt lock. If your patio door is equipped 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 comes with deadbolts it will be necessary to take off the bolt. After removing the deadbolt and knob assembly, you are able to install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important part of your home's security and it's not uncommon for them to occasionally malfunction. The debris can get stuck inside the lock mechanism or it can simply wear out with age and use. In either case, a damaged patio door latch presents an extremely risk to the security of your home. Regularly checking the locks on your patio doors will help ensure they are in good shape and allow you to quickly fix any problems.
If lubricating the lock does not fix the problem it's time to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can do at home, however, it is important to follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your current system. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help locate an alternative.
To replace the handle on a patio door take off the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing the screws that keep the handle's interior in place. After the handle has been removed, you can then access the screws that hold the lock body to the jamb of the door.
After removing the screws you can slide out the latch body from the door frame. Secure the lever with a graphite pen. It will fall into frame if not secured. Then, take off the door strike. The hole where the lock hook is when the patio door is closed will be revealed. Once the door strike is removed, you can screw the new one into place.
It is important to use screws with longer lengths when re-screwing a door strike. These will be used to attach it to the frame. You should also check that the new strike is aligned correctly with the opening in the door frame. Then make sure you tighten the two parts.
There are many different locks for patio doors. The most popular is the central rail lock that is operated by a key. They secure the door to the frame in multiple points, and when the key is inserted, all of the points must be locked. These locks provide a higher level security than basic locking mechanisms, and often result in discounts on homeowner's insurance.
The locks on your patio door repair company near me doors are an crucial to your home's security. If they're not functioning correctly, it could compromise the safety of your household and belongings.
