Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are an essential to your home's security. If RepairMyWindowsAndDoors don't work properly, you put your family and belongings at risk.
Fortunately, a few easy steps will usually solve problems with patio door locks and keep your home secure. This easy fix is to lubricate and cleaning the lock.
Inspect the Lock
Patio doors are a vital security feature. They must be capable of surviving the elements and keep burglars away. Wear and tear, extreme temperatures, and dust can cause the frames, hinges and locking mechanisms to fail. It's best to be proactive in fixing these issues and to regularly check your sliding door locks for indications of damage and make the necessary repairs.
The most frequent issue that could cause problems for your patio door locks is the difficulty in locking or unlocking, a sluggish latch, and keys that don't move smoothly. You may have to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws according to the problem you are experiencing.
If the issue with the lock on your patio door is that it's stuck in an open position, you can try using a credit card or a screwdriver with a flat head to break it out. If these methods don't work, you should consider hiring a professional locksmith to help you open the lock without causing damage to the frame of the door.
The mortise lock that is used on sliding uPVC patio doors usually has an cylinder and handle which secures the lock. The locks are relatively secure, but they could be susceptible to bend or breaking due to the weight of a door that has been slammed. You should inspect the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear such as scratches or bends before they break and you have to replace them.
You can also snap a picture of the lock to determine its size and position. This will help you provide these details to a supplier when you're searching for a new lock. This will ensure that you get an appropriate lock that will fit your door and is compatible with the current mounting configuration. You'll have trouble installing the lock that's not compatible with the hardware you have already. That could lead to further complications down the line.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most frequent entrance point into the home, making them an ideal target for burglars. As such, it's crucial that your patio door locks are secure and up to Police & Insurance standards.
There are a few simple ways to fix a lock that won't cooperate. These four steps will assist you ensure that your patio doors are working correctly and providing the security you require.
It is recommended to first clean the lock using hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You'll want to clean 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 you attempt to re-insert.
Next, you should be sure to lubricate your lock. This is particularly important for patio doors made of uPVC because they can become extremely squeaky with the passage of time. You can apply a spray lubricant such as WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate the keyways and internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant make sure to wipe off your keys afterward to avoid spreading any grime that may have gathered on it.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, make sure you test it. Observe whether the door is sliding into and out of the frame smoothly. Also, make sure that the hinges and locking points are aligned correctly with the frame of the door. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edge of the 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 that are available and you may need to replace the lock if it is damaged or broken. For example, if you have E2011 patio door locks, you'll need to replace them with E2469 or E2487 lock assemblies to be secure. These assemblies are made up of three parts, including an E2014 mortise lock, an escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The lock mechanism for most patio doors is hidden within the door. You can purchase replacement kits at many locksmiths and home improvement stores when your key cylinder is been damaged or if you're looking 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 extra cylinder. Follow the directions in the kit to disassemble and clean the old lock, and then put in the new one. It is possible that you will need to adjust the cylinder of your key slightly for proper operation, depending on how tightly it fits into the lock hole within the door frame.
If you're looking to lubricate your lock, dry graphite powder is a popular and cheap alternative to liquid lubricants which can draw dust and clog the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores, model train shops, and even some offices supply stores. If you choose to use it, ensure that the graphite chunk is devoid of any wood particles. You can also purchase the commercial graphite lubricant available in spray form. When applied to the lock, the solvent in the spray evaporates and leaves a layer of dry graphite which locks without attracting dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also add lubrication to your lock by putting some WD-40 sprays directly into the keyway. Push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant across the lock. After a few minutes, try the key once more and see whether it turns effortlessly. If the key does not turn then try the lock again a few days later when the WD-40 has had time to dry.
The replacement of your patio door locks is a simple project for most homeowners, but the process could be more difficult if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and a deadbolt lock built-in. If your patio door is equipped with an invisible latch, it is required to remove the decorative interior cover by removing the screws that hold it in place. If your patio door has a built-in deadbolt, it is necessary to remove the bolt from the door's edge. Install the new lock after you have removed the deadbolt and knob.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important element of your home's security and it's common for them to occasionally malfunction. Debris may get stuck within the lock mechanism or it may get worn out over time. A broken patio door latch can be a serious security threat to your home. Regularly inspecting patio door locks can keep them in good shape and allow you to quickly fix any issues.
If lubricating the lock does not solve the issue then you'll have to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can handle themselves, however, it is important to follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock will work with your existing lock. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help you locate an alternative.
The first step to replace the lock on a patio door is to remove the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing the screws that hold the handle in place. Once the handle has been removed it will be possible to gain access to the screws that hold the lock body in place.
After removing the screws you can remove the latch body from the door frame. Secure the latch lever using a graphite pen. It will fall into frame if it is not secured. The next step is to take the door strike from the jamb. The hole in which the lock hook is when the patio door closes will be revealed. After you have removed the old door strike, you are able to put the new one in.
When re-screwing a door strike, it's important to use longer screws as they will be used to attach the strike to the frame. Check that the new strike is in alignment with the opening of the door frame and then tighten them both.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors. The most commonly used is the central rail lock that is operated by a key. They lock the door into the frame in multiple points and, once the key is inserted, all the points should lock. These locks provide a higher level of security than standard locking systems, and often earn you discounts on your homeowner's insurance.