Patio Door Locks Repair
Your home's security depends on the locks that are installed on your patio door. If they're not functioning properly, it can affect the safety of your family and belongings.
It's simple to fix patio door lock issues with just a few steps. This quick fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are a vital security feature. They must be able to withstand the elements and keep burglars at bay. Regular wear and tear, extreme temperatures, and dust can cause the frame, hinges, and locking mechanisms to fail. It is best to be proactive in addressing these issues and to regularly check your sliding door locks for signs of damage and make the necessary repairs.
Some of the most frequent problems with patio door locks is difficulties locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck and keys that don't rotate smoothly. Based on the specific problem you're experiencing you may have to tighten screws or adjust the mechanism of the lock to get it working properly again.
If your patio door lock is stuck in an open position and you are unable to get it out Try using a flat head or credit card. If none of these methods work, call a professional locksmith who can help you open the door lock without causing damage to the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors usually come with a mortise lock that uses a handle and a cylinder to secure the lock. The locks are safe, but can break or bend when a slammed patio door. You should 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. patio door repairs near me will help you provide these details to a vendor when you're looking for a replacement lock. This will ensure you're getting an appropriate lock that will fit your door and is compatible with the current mounting configuration. If not, you'll face a difficult time trying to install a lock that's not compatible with the existing hardware. This could lead to more issues later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are a common entrance point into homes, making them a prime target for burglars. As such, it's crucial that the locks on your patio doors are fully functional and up to Police & Insurance standards.
There are some simple things you can do to fix a lock that won't cooperate. It doesn't matter if you want to adjust the patio door and clean the lock or even replace it, these four simple steps will ensure that your doors are functioning correctly and offering the security you'd like to have.
The first thing that you should do is give the lock a good clean with some hot soapy water and a damp towel. You should wipe off any dirt or stains that may have accumulated on the lock. After you've done that, you can use dry cloths to get rid of any moisture and let the lock air dry before you try to re-insert.
Next, you should be sure to lubricate your lock. This is especially crucial for doors made of uPVC that can become extremely squeaky in time. You can use a spray lubricant like WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant, ensure that you clean your key afterward to avoid spreading any dirt that might have accumulated on it.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, make sure you test it. Check if the door slides smoothly into and out of its frame. Also, make sure 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 frame. It is easy to fix the alignment issues by re-aligning your doors with the frame.
It's also important to know that different types of uPVC door locks are available. You may need to replace your lock if it's 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 secure. These assemblies are made up of three parts, including an E2014 mortise lock, an escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The mechanism of the lock for most patio doors is hidden within the door. You can purchase replacement kits at many home improvement stores and locksmiths when your key cylinder is worn out or if you're looking to upgrade your lock to provide better security. The kits range from $10 to $20, and come with tools for opening the lock and a spare key cylinder. Follow the instructions included in the kit to disassemble and clean the old lock, and then install the new one. You may have to adjust the cylinder of your key slightly to ensure proper operation, depending on how tightly it fits in the lock hole of the door frame.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is a cheap and widely used alternative to liquid lubricants which attract dust and clog the mechanism. You can buy it at hardware stores, model trains shops, and even some office supply stores. If you choose to use it, make sure the chunk of dry graphite is free of tiny bits of wood sticking to it. You can also purchase an industrial graphite lubricant that is available in spray form. The solvent in the spray disperses when applied, leaving a dry layer of graphite to lubricate the lock.
You can also apply lubrication to your lock by applying several sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. You can push your key in and out several times to spread the fluid. After a few seconds then turn the key to see if it turns smoothly. If your key remains stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Changing your patio door locks is a simple task for most homeowners, however the process may be more difficult if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and built-in deadbolt lock. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you will have to take off the interior decorative cover by removing the screws that hold it in place using the aid of a screwdriver. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt it will be necessary to remove the bolt. After removing the knob and the deadbolt assembly, you are able to install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are a crucial part of your home's security and it's common that they malfunction at times. Debris can get lodged inside the lock mechanism or it can simply get worn out by the use and age. In either case, a damaged patio door latch presents an immediate security risk to your property. Regularly inspecting your patio door locks will help to keep them in good condition and let you easily fix any issues that may arise.
If lubricating the lock does not solve the issue, you'll need to replace it. The majority of homeowners can complete this task by themselves. However, it is crucial to carefully go through the directions to ensure that your new lock is compatible with the old lock. It's also a good idea to take the old lock to the store to ensure that a customer service representative can assist you in locating the right replacement.
The first step in replacing the lock on a patio door is to remove the handle. This can be done by removing screws that hold the handle in place. After the handle is removed you will be able to remove the screws that hold the lock body in place.
Once the screws are removed, you can slide the latch body out of the door frame. Secure the lever with a graphite pen. It will fall into the frame if it isn't secured. Then, take off the door strike. This will reveal the hole the lock hook is inserted into when the patio door is closed. Once the old door strike is removed, you can install the new one in place.
When you are re-screwing the door strike, you must be sure to use longer screws as they will be used to attach the frame to the strike. Make sure that the new strike is in alignment with the opening of the door frame, and tighten both together.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors The most popular is a central rail key-operated lock. They lock the door into the frame at multiple points and, once the key is inserted, all of the points should lock. These locks provide a greater level of security than standard locking systems and may result in discounts on homeowner's insurance.