Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are crucial to your home's security. If they don't work correctly, you could put your family and possessions at risk.
It's easy to fix patio door lock issues with just a few steps. This easy fix is cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are an important security element and need to work efficiently to keep burglars and elements at the door. Regular wear and wear, extreme temperatures and dust can cause the frame, hinges, and locking mechanisms to fail. It is crucial to be proactive and regularly inspect your sliding doors for damage and then make any repairs needed.
The most frequent problems with patio door locks is difficulty locking or unlocking them, a stuck latch and keys that do not move smoothly. Depending on the particular problem you're experiencing you may have to tighten screws or adjust the lock mechanism to get it working again.
If your patio door lock is stuck in the open position and you cannot pry it out Try using a flat head or credit card. If these methods don't work, consider calling a professional locksmith to help you open the lock without damaging the frame of the door.
The mortise lock that is used on sliding uPVC patio doors is typically an cylinder and handle that is secured by the lock. They are quite safe, but they may be prone to bending or breaking under the pressure of a door that is slammed. It is a good idea to inspect the mortise lock and handle for signs of wear, such as scratches or bends, before it breaks and you need to replace it.
It's also a good idea to know the dimensions and location of the existing lock by taking a photo using your digital camera. secure patio door will help you convey these details to a vendor when you're looking for a replacement lock. This will ensure you're getting the right lock for your door and is compatible with your current mounting configuration. In the event that it isn't, you'll have a difficult time trying to install a new lock that isn't compatible with the hardware you have. This could cause further problems later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are an incredibly common entry point into the home which makes them a prime target for burglars. Therefore, it is essential that your patio door lock is functional and complies with Police & Insurance Standards.
There are fortunately simple steps that you can take to handle the lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will assist you ensure that your patio doors are working correctly and providing the security you expect.
It is recommended to first clean the lock with hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You'll want to clean away any stains or dirt that may have accumulated on the lock. After this then you can use a dry, clean cloth to remove any excess water and let the lock dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
The next step is to make sure that the lock is lubricated. This is especially crucial for doors made of uPVC that are prone to becoming extremely noisy over time. You can apply a spray lubricant like WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant to your key, clean it off to avoid redistributing any dirt that may have built up.
After your uPVC patio doors are cleaned and lubricated, then test them. Observe whether the door is sliding in and out of the frame smoothly. Also, ensure that the hinges and locking points are aligned properly with the frame of the door. You will notice alignment marks along the edge of the door frame. It is easy to fix these by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
It's also worth noting that there are various types of uPVC patio door locks, and you may have to replace the lock if it is damaged or broken. If you own E2011 patio doors locks, you'll have to replace them in order to be safe with E2469 and E2487 lock assemblies. These assemblies consist of three components: an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plate and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The mechanism that locks most patio doors is hidden within the door. If your key cylinder is wearing out or you want to upgrade your lock to increase security, you can purchase an upgrade kit from many locksmiths or home improvement stores. The kits range from $10 to $20 and include tools for opening the lock and a spare key cylinder. Follow the instructions included in the kit for disassembling and cleaning your old lock, then install the new one. You may have to adjust the cylinder of your key slightly to ensure it is operating properly based on how tightly it fits into the lock hole of the door frame.
Dry graphite powder is used to lubricate locks. It is a cheap and widely used alternative to liquid lubricants which can attract dust and gum the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores, model trains shops, and even some offices supply stores. If you decide to purchase it, ensure that the graphite chunks are free of any wood particles. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. When applied, the solvent in the spray evaporates, leaving a layer of dry graphite which locks without attracting dust or collecting moisture.
You can also grease the lock by spraying WD-40 in the keyway. You can push your key in and out several times to distribute the fluid. After a few moments then turn the key to see if it moves smoothly. If the key is still stuck then try the lock again after a few days, when the WD-40 has dried.
Change the locks on your patio door is a straightforward task for most homeowners, but the process can be more difficult if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and a deadbolt lock that is built-in. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you'll need to remove the interior decorative cover by removing the screws that hold the cover in place using a screwdriver. If your patio door has a built-in deadbolt, you'll need to remove the bolt from the door's edge. Install the new lock after you have removed the deadbolt assembly and the knob.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important component of the security of your home and it's common for them to occasionally malfunction. Debris can get lodged inside the lock mechanism or it could simply get worn out by the passage of time and use. A damaged patio door latch can pose an extremely dangerous security risk to your home. Regularly checking the locks on your patio doors can keep them in good shape and help you quickly fix any problems.
If you find that lubricating the lock doesn't fix the problem, you'll need to replace it. Most homeowners can perform this task by themselves. However, it's important to carefully go through the directions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your existing lock. It's also an excellent idea to bring the old lock to the store to ensure that a customer support representative can guide you towards a replacement.
The first step to replace a patio door lock is to remove the handle. This can be done by removing screws that secure the handle. Once the handle is removed, you will be able to access the screws that hold the lock body to the door jamb.
After the screws have been removed, you can remove the latch body of the door frame. Make sure you secure the latch lever with a graphite pencil as it will fall into the frame and be lost if not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike. This will reveal the hole the lock hook fits into when the patio door is closed. Once the door strike is removed you can screw the new one in.
When you are re-screwing the door strike, you must be sure to use larger screws since they'll be used to secure the frame to the strike. It is also important to ensure that the new strike is aligned correctly with the opening in the door frame, and make sure you tighten the two parts.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors. The most commonly used is the central rail key-operated locking system. They secure the door to the frame at multiple points, and when the key is inserted, all points will be locked. These locks provide a higher level security than basic locking mechanisms and can often result in a reduction on homeowner's insurance.