The locks on your patio doors are an integral part of your home's security. If they're not functioning properly, it can compromise the safety of your family and possessions.
A few simple steps will usually solve patio door lock problems and ensure your home is secure. This quick fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are an important security element and require a lot of effort to keep burglars and the elements at the door. However, regular wear and tear, cold and hot weather dust, and other elements can affect the door frames, hinges, and locking mechanisms, and eventually cause them to stop functioning as they should. It's best to be proactive in dealing with these issues and regularly check your sliding door locks for signs of damage and repair the damage if needed.
One of the most frequent issues that could cause problems for your patio door locks is the difficulty in locking or unlocking, a stuck latch, or keys that don't rotate smoothly. You may need to adjust the lock mechanism or tighten screws depending on the issue you're experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in an open position and you're unable to get it out Try using a flat head or credit card. If these options don't work, you should consider calling a professional locksmith to help you open the lock without damaging the frame of the door.
The mortise lock for sliding uPVC glass Patio Door repair doors is typically an cylinder and handle that secures the lock. They are secure however they can bend or break under the weight of an open patio door that is slammed. It's a good idea to inspect the mortise lock and handle for indications of wear, such as bends or scratches, before it breaks and you must replace it.
It's also a good idea to know the dimensions and positioning of the existing lock by taking a photograph with your digital camera. This will help you convey these details to the supplier when you're searching for a new lock. This will ensure that you get the right lock for your door and is compatible to the mounting configuration that's currently in place. In the event that it isn't, you'll have an issue trying to install a new lock that isn't compatible with the current hardware. This could cause further problems later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most common entry point into a home, making them the most frequent target for burglars. Therefore, it is essential that your patio door lock is functional and complies with Police & Insurance Standards.
There are a few simple steps you can take to repair a lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will help you to ensure that your patio door lock repair near me doors are working in the right way and provide the security you expect.
You should first clean the lock using hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You want to wipe away any stains or dirt 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 attempting to re-insert it.
Next, you need to make sure that the lock is lubricated. This is especially important for uPVC doors that tend to become very squeaky over time. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant make sure you wipe your key afterwards to avoid redistributing any grime that might have accumulated on it.
After your uPVC patio doors are cleaned and lubricated, you should then test them. Check to see if the door is sliding into and out of the frame with ease. Make sure that the hinges and locking point are properly aligned with the frame. You will notice alignment marks along the edge of the door frame. You can easily fix the alignment issues by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
Lastly, it's worth noting that there are different types of uPVC patio door locks available, and you may have to replace the lock if the one you have is 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 ensure that they are safe. The assemblies comprise three components comprising an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plate and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The mechanism of the lock for most patio door glass repair near me doors is hidden within the door. If the key cylinder wears out or you wish to upgrade your lock to increase security, you can purchase the replacement kit at most locksmiths or home improvement stores. These kits range between $10 and $20 and include a tool to open the lock as well as an additional cylinder. The instructions in the kit will show you how to repair tilt and slide patio door to remove and clean your old lock. Install the new lock. Depending on how tightly the key cylinder fits into the lock hole it may be necessary to adjust it a bit to ensure it is operating properly.
Dry graphite powder is used to lubricate locks. It is a cheap and widely used alternative to liquid lubricants which attract dust and clog the mechanism. It can be purchased from hardware stores, model train shops and some office supply stores. If you decide to purchase it, make sure that the graphite chunk is free of 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 that lubricates the lock.
You can also lubricate your lock by applying a few sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. You can push your key in and out several times to distribute the lubricant. After a few moments you can turn the key and see if it moves smoothly. If your key still sticks you can try it again a few days later when the WD-40 has had time to dry.
Most homeowners can change their patio sliding door repair near me door locks, but if your sliding door has an invisible latch or a deadbolt lock the door, the process may be more complicated. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you'll have to remove the decorative cover by unscrewing the screws holding it in place using the help of a screwdriver. If your patio door comes with a deadbolt it will be necessary to remove the bolt. Install the new lock after taking out the deadbolt and knob.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important component of the security of your home and it's not uncommon for them to occasionally malfunction. There are times when debris can get stuck within the lock mechanism or it could wear out over the course of time. A broken patio door latch could pose a major security risk to your home. Conducting regular inspections of your patio door locks will keep them in good shape and let you easily solve any issues that occur.
If you find that lubricating the lock doesn't fix the problem, you'll need to replace it. This is an easy task that most homeowners can handle by themselves, but it's important to carefully follow the directions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your current system. It's also recommended to bring the old lock to the store to ensure that a customer support representative can help you find a replacement.
The first step to replace the lock on a patio door is to remove the handle. This can be accomplished by removing screws that secure the handle. Once the handle has been removed, you will be able to remove the screws that hold the lock body in place.
Once the screws are removed after which you can slide the latch body 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. The hole where the lock hook is located when the patio door closes will be revealed. Once the old door strike is removed you can screw the new one into place.
When re-screwing the door strike, it is important to use larger screws since they'll be used to fix the strike to the frame. Check that the new strike is aligned with opening of the door frame and then tighten both of them.
There are different types of patio door locks however the most commonly used is a central rail lock that is operated by a key. They lock the door into the frame at multiple points and, when the key is inserted, all of the points should lock. These locks provide a higher level of security than standard locking mechanisms and can often result in lower homeowner's insurance premiums.
A few simple steps will usually solve patio door lock problems and ensure your home is secure. This quick fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.
