Your home’s security depends on the locks you have on your patio door. If they don’t work properly, you put your family and possessions at risk.
Fortunately, a few easy steps can 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
double glazed patio door repairs doors are a vital security feature. They should be strong enough to withstand the elements and keep burglars out. Wear and tear, extreme temperatures and dust can cause the frame, hinges, and locking mechanisms to fail. It’s best to be proactive in fixing these issues and to regularly inspect your sliding door locks for signs of damage and to make necessary repairs.
The most frequent problems with patio door locks is difficulties locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck and keys that do not move smoothly. You may need to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws according to the issue you’re experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in the open position and you’re unable to open it, try using a flat-head or credit card. If neither of these methods work, you should think about calling a professional locksmith to help you open the lock without causing damage to the door frame.
Sliding upvc patio door repairs near me patio doors usually come with a mortise lock which includes a handle as well as a cylindrical lock to secure the lock. The locks are relatively secure, but they could be susceptible to bend or breaking under the weight of a door that is slammed. It is important to check the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear, such as bends or scratches prior to when they break, and you’ll need to replace them.
You can also snap a picture of the lock to determine its dimensions and location. You can then provide these details to a supplier in the event that you’re looking to purchase an alternative lock. This will ensure that you’re getting a lock that fits your door and is compatible with the current mounting setup. In the event that it isn’t, you’ll have a difficult time trying to install a lock that’s not compatible with the hardware you have. This could lead to further problems in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are a common entrance point into homes, making them a prime target for burglars. Therefore, it is essential that your patio door lock is fully functional and conforms to Police & Insurance Standards.
There are a few simple steps you can take to solve a lock that doesn’t cooperate. It doesn’t matter if you want to adjust the patio door and clean the lock or even replace the lock, these four steps will ensure that your doors are operating correctly and provide the level of security that you’d like to have.
The first thing that you must do is give the lock a good clean using hot soapy water and a damp towel. You’ll want to get rid of any dirt or stains which have accumulated 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 should lubricate your lock. This is particularly important for uPVC patio doors because they can become extremely noisy with the passage of time. Spray lubricant like WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate the keyways and internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant make sure you wipe your key afterwards to avoid spreading any dirt that might have accumulated on it.
Once your uPVC patio doors are cleaned and lubricated, then test them. Examine if the door moves effortlessly into and out of its frame. Also, ensure that the hinges and locking points are aligned correctly with the frame of the door. You can see alignment marks along the edge of the frame. You can easily correct the alignment issues by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
It’s also important to know that different types of uPVC door locks are available. It is possible to replace your lock if it’s 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 be safe. These assemblies are made up of three components, including an E2014 mortise lock, an escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The mechanism of the lock for most patio doors is hidden within the door. You can purchase an upgrade kit from most home improvement stores and locksmiths when your key cylinder is worn out or if you’re looking to upgrade your lock for better security. The kits cost from $10 to $20 and include a tool for opening the lock and a spare cylinder. The instructions included in the kit will tell you how to disassemble and clean your old lock. Install the new lock. Depending on how tight the key cylinder fits in the hole of the lock it is possible to adjust it a bit to ensure proper operation.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is an inexpensive and popular alternative to liquid lubricants which can draw dust and gum the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores, model train shops and some office supply stores. If you decide to use it, make sure the graphite chunk is free of wood particles. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. When the spray is applied to the lock, the solvent present in the spray evaporates, leaving a layer of dry graphite that lubricates the lock without attracting dust or collecting moisture.
You can also lubricate your lock by spraying WD-40 into the keyway. Push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant throughout the lock. After a few seconds you can turn the key and see if it turns smoothly. If the key is stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
The replacement of your patio door locks is a simple project for most homeowners, but the process can be more complicated if have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and deadbolt lock that is built-in. If your patio door comes with an invisible latch, it is necessary to take off the decorative interior cover by unscrewing screws that secure it. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt, you’ll need to remove the bolt from the edge of the door. After removing the deadbolt and the knob assembly, you can install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important part of your home’s security and it’s not uncommon for them to occasionally malfunction. Debris can get lodged inside the mechanism of the lock or it may just get worn out by the use and age. In either scenario, a damaged patio door latch presents an extremely risk to the security of your home. Conducting regular inspections of your patio door locks will keep them in good shape and allow you to easily correct any issues that arise.
If the lubrication of your lock doesn’t solve the issue it’s time to replace it. Most homeowners can perform this task themselves. However, it is important to carefully read the instructions in order to ensure that your new lock is compatible with the old lock. It’s also a good idea to take the old lock to the store to ensure that a customer service representative can assist you in locating a replacement.
To replace a patio sliding door repair near me door handle remove the handle. This can be accomplished by removing screws that hold the handle in place. After the handle is removed, you will be able to gain access to the screws that hold the lock body in place.
Once the screws are removed and the screws are removed, you can slide the latch body out of the door frame. Be sure to secure the lever using a graphite pencil since it will fall into the frame and become lost if it’s not secured. Then, take off the door strike. This will reveal the hole the lock hook is inserted into when the patio door is closed. After removing the old door strike, you are able to install the new one.
When you are re-screwing the door strike, it’s important to use screws that are longer as these will be used to secure the frame to the strike. It is also important to ensure that the new strike is aligned correctly with the opening in the door frame and ensure that the two are secured.
There are various types of locks for patio doors, but the most common is a central rail lock that is operated by a key. They lock the door into the frame in multiple places and, when the key is inserted, all points will be locked. These locks provide a greater level of security than basic locking systems and may provide discounts on your homeowner’s insurance.