Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are an essential to your home's security. If repair patio door lock 're not working properly, you put your family and belongings at risk.
Fortunately, a few simple steps can usually fix issues with your patio door lock and help keep your home safe. This easy fix is cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are an essential security feature. They should be strong enough to withstand the elements and keep burglars out. However, the 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 crucial to be proactive and regularly check your sliding doors for damage, and make any repairs needed.
Among the most common problems that could affect your patio door locks is the difficulty in locking or unlocking, a sluggish latch, and a key that doesn't turn 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 properly again.
If the problem with the lock on your patio door is that it's stuck in an open position, you can try using credit card or a flat-head screwdriver to pry it out. If none of these options work, call an expert locksmith who will assist you in opening the lock on your patio door without causing damage to the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors usually come with a mortise lock that includes a handle as well as a locking cylinder to secure the lock. These locks are fairly secure, but they can be prone to bending or breaking under the weight of a door that has been slammed. You should check the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear such as scratches or bends 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 photo using your digital camera. You can then provide the details to a dealer in the event that you're looking to purchase the right lock. This will ensure that you get an appropriate lock that will fit your door and is compatible with the current mounting setup. In the event that it isn't, you'll have an issue installing a new lock that isn't compatible with the hardware you have. That could lead to further issues later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are an incredibly common entrance point into homes which makes them a prime target for burglars. Therefore, it's essential that the locks on your patio doors are fully functional and up to Police & Insurance standards.
There are some simple steps you can take to solve a lock that doesn't cooperate. If you have to re-align the patio door, clean the lock or even replace it, these four basic steps will ensure that your doors are operating correctly and provide the level of security that you're looking for.
The first thing you must do is give the lock a thorough clean using hot soapy water and a damp, clean cloth. You'll need to get rid of any dirt or stains which have built up on the lock. After you've done this then you can use a dry cloth to wipe away any excess water and let the lock dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
Then, you must lubricate the lock. This is especially important for uPVC patio doors because they can become extremely noisy with the passage of time. Use WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways as well as internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant to your key, wipe it off to avoid spreading any dirt that may have been accumulated.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you should test it. Observe whether the door is sliding into and out of the frame with ease. Check that the hinges and locking points are aligned properly with the frame. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edge of the door frame and you can easily fix them by aligning the doors to the frame.
It's also important to know that various types of uPVC door locks are available. You may need to replace your lock if it's damaged or broken. If you have E2011 patio doors locks, you'll need to replace them in order to be secure with E2469 and E2487 lock assemblies. These assemblies consist of three components: an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plate and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For most patio doors the lock mechanism is located inside the door, hidden from view. If the key cylinder wears out or you wish to upgrade your lock to ensure greater security, you can purchase an upgrade kit from many home improvement stores or locksmiths. These kits range from $10 to $20 and include a tool to open the lock and an additional cylinder. The instructions included in the kit will show you how to take apart and clean your old lock. Install the new lock. You may need to adjust the key cylinder slightly to ensure proper operation depending on how tight it fits in the lock hole in the door frame.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is a low-cost and popular alternative to liquid lubricants which can draw dust and clog the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores or model train shops as well as some office supply stores. If you decide to purchase it, make sure that the graphite chunk is devoid of wood particles. You can also buy a commercial graphite lubricant in spray form. When applied to the lock, the solvent in the spray evaporates, leaving behind a layer of dry graphite that locks without attracting dust or collecting moisture.
You can also add lubrication to your lock by putting several sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. Inject your key out several times to spread the lubricant over the lock. After a few moments, turn the key to see if it moves smoothly. If your key remains stuck, try again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Most homeowners can easily change their patio door locks, but if your sliding door is equipped with an invisible latch or deadbolt lock that is built-in the door, the process might be more complicated. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you'll need to remove the interior decorative cover by removing the screws that hold it in place using the aid of a screwdriver. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt, it is necessary to remove the bolt from the edge of the door. Install the new lock after taking out the deadbolt and knob.
Replace the Lock
It's not common for patio doors to fail. They are an important security feature for your home. The debris could get caught within the lock mechanism or it could simply wear out over time. A broken patio door latch can be a serious security threat to your home. A regular inspection of the patio door locks can help keep them in good shape and allow you to quickly fix any issues.
If you can't solve the issue it's time to replace it. This is an easy task that most homeowners can do by themselves, but it's crucial to follow the directions 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 find the right replacement.
The first step to replace a patio door lock is to take off the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing screws that keep the handle in place. After the handle has been removed, you will be able to gain access to the screws that connect the lock body to the jamb of the door.
After the screws have been removed, you can slide the latch body out of the door frame. Secure the lever with a graphite pen. It will fall into frame if not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike from the jamb. This will reveal the hole that the lock hook fits into when the patio door is closed. After removing the door strike, you can put the new one in.
When re-screwing a door strike, you must be sure to use longer screws as these will be used to fix the strike to the frame. Verify that the new strike is in alignment 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. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at several points and when the key is inserted, all points should lock simultaneously. These locks provide a higher level of security than the standard locking systems and may result in discounts on your homeowner's insurance.