Patio Door Locks Repair
Your home's security depends on the locks that are installed on your patio door. If they're not working properly, it can compromise the security of your family and belongings.
Fortunately, a few simple steps will usually solve patio door lock problems and ensure your home is secure. This fast fix involves lubricating and cleaning the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are an essential security feature. They need to be capable of surviving the elements and keep burglars at bay. Regular wear and tear, extreme temperatures, and dust can cause door frames, hinges and locking mechanisms to fail. It is best to take a proactive approach in fixing these issues and to regularly check your sliding door locks for signs of damage and make necessary repairs.
One of the most frequent issues that may affect your patio door locks is the difficulty locking or unlocking, a stuck latch, or a key that doesn't turn smoothly. Depending on the specific issue it may be necessary to tighten screws or adjust the lock mechanism in order to get it working properly again.
If your patio door lock is stuck in the open position and you're unable to pry it out, try using a flat-head or credit card. If neither of these methods work, you should think about calling a professional locksmith to assist you in opening the lock without causing damage to the frame of the door.
Sliding uPVC patio doors usually come with a mortise lock that utilizes a handle and cylindrical lock to secure the lock. They are secure, but can bend or break in the force of a open patio door that is slammed. It is important to check the mortise locks and handles for indications of wear like bends or scratches before they break, and you'll need to replace them.
It's also a good idea to know the dimensions and positioning of the existing lock by taking a picture using your digital camera. This will enable you to convey these details to the supplier when you're seeking 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. Otherwise, you'll have a difficult time trying to install a lock that isn't compatible with the current hardware. That could lead to further complications down the line.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most common point of entry into the home, making them an ideal target for burglars. It is therefore essential that your patio door locks are functional and conform to Police & Insurance standards.
There are a few simple ways to fix a lock that won't cooperate. If you have to re-align the patio door and clean the lock or even replace it, these four basic steps will ensure that your doors are functioning correctly and offering the security you'd like to have.
First, you should clean the lock with hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You want to wipe away any dirt or stains that might have built up 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 attempting to re-insert it.
Next, you need to make sure that the lock is lubricated. This is especially important for doors made of uPVC, which can become extremely squeaky over time. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways as well as internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant make sure to wipe off your key afterward to avoid spreading any dirt that may have gathered on it.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you must test it. Examine whether the door is sliding through the frame without a hitch. Also, make sure that the hinges and locking points are aligned correctly with the frame of the door. You will notice alignment marks along the edges of the door frame. You can easily fix these by re-aligning your doors with the frame.
It's also worth noting that there are various types of uPVC patio door locks that are available and you might need to replace the lock if the one you have is 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 ensure that they are secure. These assemblies consist of three components comprised of an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plates and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For most patio doors, the lock mechanism is in the door, hidden from view. You can purchase replacement kits at many home improvement stores and locksmiths if your key cylinder has worn out or if you want to upgrade your lock for better security. These kits range from $10 to $20 and include a tool to open the lock, as well as an additional cylinder. The instructions included in the kit will tell you how to take apart and clean the old lock. Install the new lock. You may have to adjust the key cylinder slightly to ensure proper operation based on how tightly it fits into the lock hole in the door frame.
Dry graphite powder is used to lubricate locks. It is a cheap and common alternative to liquid lubricants which draw dust and clog the mechanism. You can purchase it at hardware stores, model trains shops, and a few office supply stores. If you choose to use it, ensure that the piece of dry graphite is free from tiny bits of wood sticking to it. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. When applied to the lock, the solvent present in the spray evaporates, leaving behind a layer of dry graphite that helps to lubricate the lock without drawing dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also grease the lock by spraying WD-40 in the keyway. Push your key in-and-out repeatedly to spread the lubricant. After a few seconds then turn the key to see if it moves 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 with an invisible latch as well as a deadbolt lock built-in. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you'll have to take off the interior decorative cover by removing the screws that hold it in place using a screwdriver. If your patio door comes with deadbolts it is necessary to remove the bolt. After removing both the deadbolt and the knob assembly, you can put in the new lock.
Replace sliding patio door repair are an important part of your home's security and it's not uncommon for them to occasionally malfunction. The debris could get caught in the mechanism of the lock, or it may wear out over the course of time. A damaged patio door latch could pose a major security risk to your home. Conducting regular inspections of your patio door locks will help to keep them in good condition and will allow you to solve any issues that occur.
If lubricating your lock does not solve the problem then it's time to replace it. Many homeowners can handle this task themselves. However, it's important to carefully read 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 with you to the store to ensure that a customer service representative can guide you towards the right replacement.
To replace a patio door handle remove the handle. This can be accomplished by removing the screws that hold the handle in place. After the handle has been removed, you are able to gain access to the screws that connect the lock body to the door jamb.
Once the screws are removed after which you can lift the latch lever out of the door frame. Secure the latch lever using a graphite pen. It will fall into frame if not secured. The next step is to remove 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 screw the new one in.
When re-screwing a door strike, it's important to use longer screws as these will be used to fix the frame to the strike. You should also check that the new strike is aligned properly with the opening in the door frame, and ensure that the two are secured.
There are many different locks for patio doors. The most common is the central rail key-operated locking system. They lock the door into the frame in multiple points and, when the key is inserted, all the points should lock. These locks provide a greater level of security than the standard locking systems and can often earn you discounts on homeowner's insurance.