Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are an integral part of your home's security. If they're not functioning properly, you can put your family and possessions at risk.
Fortunately, a few easy 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 a crucial security feature and they must function effectively to keep burglars and elements at away. Regular wear and tear, extreme temperatures, and dust can cause the door frames, hinges and locking mechanisms to fail. It is crucial to be proactive and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and make any repairs needed.
The most frequent problems with patio door locks are difficulties locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck, and keys that don't rotate smoothly. You may need to adjust the lock mechanism or tighten screws according to the issue you are experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in the open position and you're 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 assist you in opening the patio door lock without causing damage to the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors typically come with a mortise lock which includes a handle as well as a cylinder to secure the lock. They are quite secure, but they could be prone to bending or breaking under the weight of a door that has been slammed. It is a good idea to check the mortise lock and handle for signs of wear, such as scratches or bends before it is broken and you need to replace it.
It's also a good idea to identify the size and location of the existing lock by taking a photo using your digital camera. Then, you can provide the details to a dealer if you are looking for a new lock. This will ensure that you receive a lock that fits the door and is compatible with the mounting configuration that's currently in place. You'll have trouble installing a lock that isn't compatible with your existing hardware. This could cause further problems later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are an incredibly common entry point into your home which makes them a prime target for burglars. It is therefore essential that your patio door lock is fully functional and meets Police & Insurance Standards.
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can follow to resolve the lock that is refusing to cooperate. If you have to re-align the patio door, clean the lock or even replace it, these four simple steps will ensure that your doors are functioning correctly and provide the security you're looking for.
You should first clean the lock using hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You will want to remove any dirt or stains that have been accumulating on the lock. After you've done this, you can use a dry cloth to remove any excess water and let the lock air-dry completely before attempting to re-insert it.
The next step is to make sure that your lock is lubricated. This is particularly important for patio doors made of uPVC as they can become very squeaky as they age. You can apply a spray lubricant such as WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant to your key, wipe it off to prevent spreading any dirt that has built up.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you must test it. Examine whether the door is sliding in and out of the frame with ease. Also, ensure that the hinges and locking points are aligned correctly with the frame of the door. You can see the alignment marks along the edges of the door frame. You can easily correct the alignment issues by re-aligning your doors with the frame.
Also, it's important to note that there are various types of uPVC patio door locks, and you may have to replace the lock if yours 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 be safe. The assemblies consist of three parts, including an E2014 mortise lock, escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The mechanism that locks the majority of patio doors is concealed inside the door. You can purchase a replacement kit at most home improvement stores and locksmiths in the event that your key cylinder has been damaged or if you're looking to upgrade your lock for greater security. These kits range from $10 to $20 and include a tool to open the lock, as well as a spare cylinder. Follow the instructions in your kit for disassembling and cleaning your old lock, then install the new lock. You may have to adjust the cylinder of your key slightly to ensure proper operation based on how tightly it fits into the lock hole of the door frame.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is a low-cost and widely used alternative to liquid lubricants, which can draw dust and clog the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores, model trains shops, and a few offices supply stores. If you choose to use it, make sure the graphite chunks are free of wood particles. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. The solvent in the spray disperses when it is applied, leaving a dry layer of graphite that lubricates the lock.
You can also lubricate your lock by spraying WD-40 onto the keyway. Inject your key out several times to spread the lubricant over the lock. After a couple of minutes then turn the key to see if it moves smoothly. If the key is stuck, try again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Change the locks on your patio door is a straightforward task for the majority of homeowners, however the process may be more complicated if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and a built-in deadbolt lock. If your patio door is fitted with an invisible latch, it will be necessary to take off the decorative interior cover by taking off the screws that hold it in place. If your patio door is equipped with a deadbolt it will be necessary to remove the bolt. After removing the deadbolt and the knob assembly, you can install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
It's not uncommon for patio doors to malfunction. They are an essential security feature of your home. The debris can get stuck inside the lock mechanism or it could simply wear out with age and use. A broken patio door latch could pose a serious security threat to your home. Regularly checking your patio door locks can help keep them in good shape and allow you to easily fix any issues that may arise.
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 complete by themselves, but it is important to follow the directions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your existing system. It's also a good idea to take the old lock with you to the store so that a customer service representative can assist you in locating a replacement.
The first step in replacing the patio door lock is to remove the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing screws that secure the handle. Once sliding patio door lock repair Repair My Windows And Doors has been removed you will be able to remove the screws that hold the lock body in place.
After the screws have been removed after which you can remove the latch body of the door frame. Secure the lever with a graphite pen. It will fall into frame if not secured. Next, remove the door strike. The hole where the lock hook is when the patio door is closed will be exposed. After removing the old door strike, you are able to install the new one.
When re-screwing a door strike, it is important to use longer screws as they will be used to fix the strike to the frame. 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 many different locks for patio doors. The most popular is the central rail key-operated locking system. They lock the door into the frame at multiple points and, once the key is inserted, all the points must be locked. These locks provide a greater level of security than standard locking systems, and often result in discounts on your homeowner's insurance.