Then You've Found Your Patio Door Locks Repair ... Now What?
Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are an an integral part of your home's security. If they don't work properly, you put your family and belongings at risk.
It's easy to fix patio door lock issues with a few simple steps. This easy fix is to lubricate and cleaning the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are a vital security feature. They must be capable of surviving the elements and keep burglars away. However, wear and tear, hot and cold weather dust, and other elements can affect the door's frames, hinges, and locking mechanisms. This can eventually cause them to cease to function as they ought to. It is crucial to be proactive and regularly inspect your sliding doors for damage, and make any necessary repairs.
Some of the most frequent problems with patio door locks is difficulty locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck and keys that do not turn smoothly. Depending on the specific issue you may have to tighten screws or adjust the mechanism of the lock in order to get it working properly again.
If sliding patio door repairs near me is stuck in an open position and you are unable to pry it out, try using a flat-head or credit card. If none of these options work, contact a professional locksmith who can help you open 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 cylindrical lock to secure the lock. These locks are fairly secure, but they could be susceptible to bend or breaking under the pressure of a door that has been slammed. It's a good idea to check the mortise lock and handle for signs of wear, like scratches or bends, before it is broken and you have to replace it.
It's an excellent idea to identify the size and positioning of the existing lock by taking a photo with your digital camera. This will enable you to convey these details to a supplier when you're seeking a replacement lock. This will ensure that you get the right lock for your door and is compatible with the current mounting configuration. It will be difficult to install a lock that isn't compatible with your existing hardware. This could cause further problems later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most popular entrance point into the home, and are therefore an ideal target for burglars. It is therefore essential that your patio door locks are secure and up to Police & Insurance standards.
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to deal with locks that are refusing to cooperate. If you have to re-align the patio door, clean the lock or even replace it, these four simple steps will ensure that your doors function properly and providing the security you expect.
First, you should clean the lock using hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You should wipe off any dirt or stains that might have built up on the lock. After you've done this you can use a dry, clean cloth to wipe away any excess water and allow the lock to air-dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
The next step is to make sure that your lock is lubricated. This is especially important for patio doors made of uPVC because they can become extremely noisy with age. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways as well as internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant on your key, clean it off to avoid spreading any dirt that has built up.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you must test it. Examine if the door moves smoothly inside and out of its frame. Also, make sure that the hinges and locking points are aligned properly with the frame of the door. You can see the alignment marks along the edge of the door frame. It is easy to fix these by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
It's also worth noting that there are different kinds of uPVC door locks are available. You might need to replace the lock if it's damaged or broken. If you own E2011 patio door locks, you'll have to replace them in order to be secure with E2469 and E2487 lock assemblies. These assemblies consist of three parts comprised of an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plates and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The mechanism of the lock for the majority of patio doors is concealed inside the door. You can purchase a replacement kit at most locksmiths and home improvement stores when your key cylinder is been damaged or you're looking to upgrade your lock to provide better security. The kits range from $10 to $20, and come with a tool for opening the lock as well as a spare key cylinder. Follow the instructions included in your kit to disassemble and clean your old lock, then install the new one. You may need to adjust the cylinder of your key slightly to ensure it is operating properly depending on how tight it fits in the lock hole within the door frame.
If you're looking to lubricate your lock dry graphite powder is a common and affordable alternative to liquid-based lubricants that can attract dust and gum up the mechanism. You can purchase it from hardware stores or model train shops, as well as some office supply stores. If you choose to use it, make sure that the graphite chunks are free of wood particles. You can also buy an industrial graphite lubricant that is available in spray form. The solvent in the spray evaporates once applied, leaving a dry layer of graphite that lubricates the lock.
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 repeatedly to spread the lubricant. After a few minutes, try the key again and check if it turns effortlessly. If your key still sticks you can try it again a few days later when the WD-40 has had time to dry.
Most homeowners can easily change their patio door locks however, if your sliding door has an invisible latch or a deadbolt lock, the process could be more complex. If your patio door is fitted with an invisible latch, it's necessary to remove the decorative interior cover by taking off the screws that secure it. If your patio door has a built-in deadbolt, you will need to remove the bolt from the edge of the door. After removing both the knob and the deadbolt assembly, you can put in the new lock.
Replace the Lock
It's not common for patio doors to malfunction. They are an important security feature for your home. There are times when debris can get caught in the lock mechanism, or it can simply wear out due to the use and age. A damaged patio door latch could pose a major security risk to your home. Regularly checking the locks on your patio doors will help ensure they are in good shape and let you swiftly fix any problems.
If you find that lubricating your lock fails to solve the problem it's time to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can do by themselves, but it's important to carefully follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your current system. It's also an excellent idea to bring the old lock with you to the store to ensure that a customer service representative can help you find an alternative.
To replace the handle on a patio door remove the handle. You can do this by unscrewing the screws that hold the handle in place. Once the handle has been removed, you will be able to access the screws holding the lock body in place.
After removing the screws you can slide out the latch body from the door frame. Secure the latch lever using a graphite pen. It will fall into the frame if it is not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike from the jamb. The hole where the lock hook is when the patio door is closed will be revealed. After removing the old door strike, you can screw in the new one.
It is important to use larger screws when re-screwing a door strike. These will be used to attach 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 a variety of locks for patio doors. The most popular is the central rail lock that is operated by a key. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at several points, and once a key is inserted all points must lock simultaneously. These locks offer a greater level security than basic locking mechanisms and can often result in a reduction on homeowner's insurance.