Patio Door Locks Repair
The security of your home is dependent on the locks you have on your patio door. If they're not functioning properly, it can compromise the safety of your family and possessions.
It's simple to solve the problem of a patio door lock with a few simple steps. This simple fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are a crucial security feature and require a lot of effort to keep burglars and elements at the door. However, regular wear and wear, cold and hot weather dust, and other elements can affect the door's frames, hinges, and locking mechanisms, and eventually, they cease to function as they ought to. It is recommended to be proactive in dealing with these issues and regularly inspect your sliding door locks for signs of damage and to make the necessary repairs.
The most frequent issue that could affect your patio door locks is difficulty locking or unlocking, a stuck latch, or keys that don't rotate smoothly. Depending on the particular problem you're experiencing it may be necessary to tighten screws or adjust the lock mechanism 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 screwdriver with a flat-head to get it open. 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 are usually fitted with a mortise lock which uses a handle and a locking cylinder to secure the lock. The locks are safe but they may break or bend in the force of a closed patio door. You should inspect the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear such as scratches or bends before they break, and you'll need to replace them.
You can also take a photo of the lock to determine its dimensions and location. Then, you can provide the details to a dealer if you are looking for the right lock. This will ensure you're getting the right lock for your door and is compatible with your current mounting configuration. It will be difficult to install the lock that's not compatible with the hardware you have already. This could result in more complications in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most popular entry point into a home, and are therefore an ideal 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 simple steps you can follow to resolve a lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will assist you ensure that your patio doors are working properly and are providing the security you require.
First, you should clean the lock using hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You should wipe off any stains or dirt that might have built up on the lock. After this, you can use a dry, clean cloth to remove any excess water and allow the lock to dry completely before attempting to re-insert it.
Then, you must ensure that the lock is properly lubricated. This is especially important for uPVC doors that are prone to becoming extremely noisy over time. You can use a spray lubricant like WD40 or petroleum jelly to smooth the keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant make sure to wipe off your keys afterward to avoid spreading any dirt that may have accumulated on it.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you must test it. Observe whether the door is moving in and out of the frame with ease. Check that the hinges and locking points are properly aligned with the frame. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edges of your door frame, and you can easily correct them by re-aligning the doors to the frame.
Lastly, it's worth noting that there are different types of uPVC patio door locks available and you may need to replace the lock if the one you have 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 ensure that they are safe. These assemblies consist of three components: an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plates and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For the majority of patio doors, the lock mechanism is located inside the door, hidden from view. If your key cylinder is worn out or you want to upgrade the lock for greater security, you can buy a replacement kit from most home improvement stores or locksmiths. These kits cost between $10 and $20 and include a tool for opening the lock and an extra key cylinder. The instructions in the kit will show you how to remove and clean your old lock. Install the new lock. Depending on how securely the key cylinder fits into the lock hole it is possible to adjust it slightly for proper operation.
If you are looking to lubricate your lock dry graphite powder is a popular and inexpensive alternative to liquid lubricants which can cause dust to build up and damage the mechanism. patio door restoration is available at hardware stores, model trains shops, and even some offices supply stores. If you decide to purchase it, make sure the graphite chunk is devoid of wood particles. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. When applied, the solvent in the spray evaporates and leaves a layer of dry graphite which helps to lubricate the lock without drawing dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also apply lubrication to your lock by applying several sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. The key should be pushed in and out several times to distribute the grease. After some time, try the key again and check if it turns easily. If the key is still stuck, try the lock again a few days later when the WD-40 has been allowed to dry.
Change the locks on your patio door is a simple project for the majority of homeowners, however the process can be more complicated if have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and deadbolt lock built-in. If your patio door is fitted with an invisible latch, it will be necessary to remove the decorative interior cover by taking off the screws that secure it. If your patio door comes with deadbolts it is necessary to take off the bolt. After removing both the deadbolt and the knob assembly, you can put in the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important part of your home's security and it's common for them to occasionally malfunction. There are times when debris can get stuck in the mechanism of the lock, or it may get worn out over time. A damaged or broken patio door latch can pose an extremely dangerous security risk to your home. Regularly checking your patio door locks will help to keep them in good working order and let you easily solve any issues that occur.
If you find that lubricating your lock fails to solve the issue then it's time to replace it. This is a task that most homeowners can handle by themselves, but it's important to carefully follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock will work with your current system. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help locate the right replacement.
To replace the handle on a patio door 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.
After the screws have been removed and the screws are removed, you can slide the latch body out of the door frame. Secure the latch lever using a graphite pen. It will fall into frame if it is not secured. Next, remove the door strike. The hole in which the lock hook is when the patio door closes will be exposed. After removing the door strike, you can put the new one in.
It is essential to use longer screws when replacing the door strike. They will be used to secure it to the frame. Verify that the new strike is aligned with the opening of the door frame, and then tighten them both.
There are various types of patio door locks however the most commonly used is the central rail key-operated lock. They secure the door to the frame at multiple points and, when the key is inserted, all the points will be locked. These locks offer a higher level of security than the standard locking systems, and often earn you discounts on your homeowner's insurance.