Patio Door Locks Repair
Your home's security depends on the locks on your patio door. If patio door repair 're not functioning properly, you put your family and belongings at risk.
It's simple to fix patio door lock issues with just a few steps. This easy fix is cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Inspect the Lock
Patio doors are a vital security feature. They should be strong enough to withstand the elements and keep burglars out. However, regular wear and tear, hot and cold weather, and dust can take their toll on the door frames hinges, hinges, and locking mechanisms. This can eventually cause them to stop functioning as they should. It is essential to be proactive and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and make any necessary repairs.
One of the most frequent issues that can cause problems for your patio door locks is difficulty locking or unlocking, a sticky latch, or a key that doesn't turn smoothly. Depending on the specific issue you're having, you may need to tighten screws or adjust the lock mechanism in order to get it working again.
If the issue 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 options don't work, you should think about calling a professional locksmith to assist you in opening the lock without causing damage to the door frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors usually come with a mortise lock that utilizes a handle and cylinder to secure the lock. These locks are fairly secure, but they can be prone to bending or breaking due to the weight of a door that has been slammed. It is important to check the mortise locks and handles for indications of wear like bends or scratches prior to when they break and you need to replace them.
You can also take a photo of the lock to determine its size and location. You can then provide these details to a vendor when you're 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. It's difficult to install locks that aren't compatible with your existing hardware. This could lead to more issues later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are a popular entry point into your home and are a frequent target for burglars. Therefore, it is essential that the lock on your patio door is fully functional and conforms to Police & Insurance Standards.
There are fortunately easy steps you can take to deal with locks that are refusing to cooperate. If you have to re-align the patio door or clean the lock, or even replace the lock, these four steps will ensure that your doors are functioning correctly and provide the level of security that you'd like to have.
You should first clean the lock with hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You'll want to clean away any stains or dirt that may have accumulated on the lock. After you've done that you can use dry cloths to eliminate any excess moisture and let the lock air-dry before you attempt to re-insert.
Next, you should make sure that your lock is lubricated. This is especially crucial for patio doors made of uPVC because they can become extremely noisy with age. You can apply a spray lubricant such as WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant on your key, wipe it off to prevent spreading any dirt that may have built up.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, make sure you test it. Check if the door slides smoothly inside and out of its frame. Also, make sure that the hinges and locking points are aligned correctly with the frame of the door. You should be able see the alignment marks on the edges of your door frame, and you can easily fix them by aligning the doors with the frame.
It's also worth noting that different types of uPVC door locks are available. You might need to replace the lock if it's 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 be safe. These assemblies are made up of three components, which include an E2014 mortise lock, an escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For the majority of patio doors, the lock mechanism is in the door, hidden from view. You can purchase an upgrade kit from most locksmiths and home improvement stores when your key cylinder is been damaged or if you want to upgrade your lock for greater security. The kits cost between $10 and $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. Depending on how tightly the key cylinder fits into the lock hole it may be necessary to adjust it a bit for proper operation.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is a low-cost and common 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 the graphite chunk is devoid of any wood particles. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. When applied to the lock, the solvent in the spray evaporates, leaving 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 several sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. Push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant across the lock. After a few minutes, try the key again and see if it turns effortlessly. If the key is stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
The replacement of your patio door locks is a simple project for most homeowners, but the process could be more complicated if have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and deadbolt lock that is built-in. If your patio door is equipped with an invisible latch, it is necessary to remove the decorative interior cover by removing the screws that hold it in place. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt, you'll need to remove the bolt from the door's edge. Install the new lock after taking out the deadbolt assembly and the knob.
Replace the Lock
It's not unusual for patio doors to malfunction. They are an essential security feature for your home. The debris could get caught in the mechanism of the lock, or it may wear out over the course of time. A broken patio door latch can pose a major security risk to your home. Regularly inspecting your patio door locks will help to keep them in good condition and will allow you to solve any issues that occur.
If you find that lubricating your lock fails to solve the problem, it's time to replace it. This is an easy task that most homeowners can do themselves, however, it's crucial to follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your existing system. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help locate an alternative.
The first step in replacing a patio door lock is to take off the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing the screws which hold the interior handle in place. After the handle is removed you will be able to access the screws holding the lock body in place.
After removing the screws you can slide out the latch body from the door frame. Be sure to secure the lever using a graphite pencil since it could slide into the frame and be lost if it is not secured. Next, remove the door strike. The hole in which the lock hook is located when the patio door closes will be revealed. After the old door strike has been removed, you can install the new one in place.
When you are re-screwing the door strike, it's important to use longer screws as they will be used to secure the frame to the strike. Also, make sure that the new strike is aligned properly 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 popular is the central rail key-operated locking system. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at various points, and once keys are inserted all points must lock simultaneously. These locks provide a greater level of security than basic locking systems and may result in discounts on your homeowner's insurance.