Patio Door Locks Repair
Your home's security depends on the locks you have on your patio door. If they're not working properly, it can compromise the security of your household and belongings.
It's easy to fix patio door lock issues with just a few steps. This quick fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Inspect the Lock
Patio doors are a vital security feature and they need to work efficiently to keep burglars and the elements at away. However, wear and tear, hot and cold weather and dust can take their toll on the door frames hinges, hinges and locking mechanisms, and eventually, they stop functioning as they ought to. It is essential to be proactive and regularly inspect your sliding doors for damage, and make any repairs that are required.
Some of the most common problems with patio door locks include difficulty locking or unlocking them, a stuck latch and keys that do not rotate smoothly. Depending on the specific issue you're having, you may need to tighten screws or adjust the mechanism of the lock in order to get it working again.
If the issue with your patio door lock is that it is stuck in the open position, you can try using a credit card or a screwdriver with a flat-head to get it loose. If these options don't work, you should think about calling a professional locksmith assist you in opening the lock without damaging the frame of the door.
Sliding uPVC patio doors are usually fitted with a mortise lock which includes a handle as well as a cylinder to secure the lock. The locks are safe however they can bend or break in the force of a closed 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'll need to replace them.
It's also a good idea to determine the size and positioning of the existing lock by taking a picture with your digital camera. This will allow you to provide these details to a supplier when you're looking for a replacement 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. Otherwise, you'll have difficulties trying to install a new lock that's not compatible with the current hardware. This could cause further problems in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are an incredibly common entrance point into homes 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 some easy steps you can take to resolve locks that are refusing to cooperate. These four steps will assist you to ensure that your patio doors are working correctly and providing the security you require.
It is recommended to first clean the lock with hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You want to wipe away any stains or dirt that may have accumulated on the lock. Once you've done this then you can use a dry, clean cloth to get rid of any excess water and allow the lock to air-dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
Then, you must be sure to lubricate your lock. This is particularly important for uPVC doors that are prone to becoming extremely noisy as time passes. Use WD40 or petroleum jelly to grease keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant on your key, wipe it off to avoid spreading any dirt that may have built up.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you should test it. Check to see if the door is moving in and out of the frame smoothly. Also, make sure that the hinges and locking points are aligned properly with the frame of the door. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edge of your door frame, and you can fix them by re-aligning the doors with the frame.
It's also important to note that different types of uPVC door locks are available. You might need to replace your lock if it's damaged or broken. If you have E2011 patio doors locks, you will need to replace them to ensure that you are safe with E2469 and E2487 lock assemblies. The assemblies consist of three components, including an E2014 mortise lock, escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The lock mechanism for most patio doors is hidden inside 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 home improvement stores or locksmiths. These kits cost $10 to $20, and include tools for opening the lock and an extra key cylinder. The instructions in the kit will explain how to disassemble and clean the old lock. Install the new lock. You may have to adjust the cylinder slightly for proper operation based on how tightly it fits into the lock hole in the door frame.
If you want to lubricate your lock dry graphite powder is a popular and affordable alternative to liquid lubricants which can cause dust to build up and damage the mechanism. You can purchase it at hardware stores, model train shops, and a few office supply stores. If you decide to use it, make sure that the graphite chunks are free of wood particles. You can also buy the commercial graphite lubricant available in spray form. When the spray is applied, the solvent in the spray evaporates, leaving a layer of dry graphite which lubricates the lock without attracting dust or collecting moisture.
You can also apply lubrication to your lock by applying a few sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. Then, push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant throughout the lock. After a few minutes, test the key again and see if it turns effortlessly. If the key is stuck, try it again few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Changing your patio door locks is a straightforward task for most homeowners, however the process can be more difficult if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch as well as a built-in deadbolt lock. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you will have to take off the interior decorative cover by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place using a screwdriver. If your patio door is equipped with deadbolts, it will be required to remove the bolt. After you have removed the deadbolt and the knob assembly, you can install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an essential element of your home's security and it's normal for them to occasionally malfunction. The debris could get caught within the lock mechanism or it may wear out over the course of time. A broken patio door latch could pose a serious security threat to your home. Regularly inspecting patio door locks can keep them in good condition and help you quickly fix any problems.
If the lubrication of your lock doesn't solve the problem it's time to replace it. This is a task that most homeowners can do themselves, however, it's crucial to follow the directions to ensure that the new lock will work with your existing lock. repair patio door lock RepairMyWindowsAndDoors can also bring your old lock to the store to help you to find the right replacement.
To replace a patio door handle, remove the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing screws that secure the handle. Once the handle is removed, you will be able to gain access to the screws that connect the lock body to the jamb of the door.
Once the screws are removed and the screws are removed, you can lift the latch lever out of the door frame. Secure the lever with a graphite pen. It will fall into the frame if not secured. Next, remove the door strike. This will reveal the hole that the lock hook goes into when the patio door is closed. After removing the old door strike, you are able to install the new one.
When you are re-screwing the door strike, it's important to use larger screws since these will be used to secure the strike to the frame. You should also check that the new strike is aligned properly with the opening in the door frame. Then ensure that the two are secured.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors. The most commonly used is the central rail lock with key operated. They secure the door to the frame at multiple points and, when the key is inserted, all of the points must be locked. These locks provide a higher level security than basic locking mechanisms, and often result in a reduction on homeowner's insurance.