Patio Door Locks Repair
The security of your home is dependent on the locks you have on your patio door. If they don't work properly, you put your family and belongings 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
Patio doors are a crucial security element and require a lot of effort to keep burglars and elements at the door. Wear and tear, extreme temperatures, and dust can cause frames, hinges and locking mechanisms to fail. It is crucial to be proactive and regularly inspect your sliding doors for damage, and make any necessary repairs.
One of the most frequent issues that could cause problems for your patio door locks is the difficulty in locking or unlocking, a sluggish latch, or a key that doesn't turn smoothly. You may have to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws based on the issue you are experiencing.
If the issue with your patio door lock is that it's stuck in the open position You can try using the credit card or screwdriver with a flat head to break it out. If none of these methods work, call an expert locksmith who will assist you in opening the door lock without damaging the frame.
The mortise lock for sliding uPVC patio door is usually a handle and a cylinder that secures the lock. These locks are fairly safe, but they may be prone to bending or breaking under the weight of a slammed door. It is important to check the mortise locks and handles for indications of wear like bends or scratches before they break and you need to replace them.
It's also a good idea to know the dimensions and positioning of the existing lock by taking a photograph using your digital camera. This will allow you to provide these details to a vendor when you're searching for a new lock. This will ensure that you receive the right lock for your door and is compatible to the current mounting setup. It's difficult to install the lock that's not compatible with your existing hardware. This could result in more complications in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most common entrance point into the home, and are therefore the most frequent 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 that you can take to handle a lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will help you to ensure that your patio doors are functioning correctly and providing the security you expect.
The first thing that you must do is give the lock a good clean using hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You want to wipe away any stains or dirt that may have accumulated on the lock. After this, you can use a dry cloth to get rid of any excess water and allow the lock to dry completely before trying to re-insert it.
Next, you need to lubricate the lock. This is especially important for patio doors made of uPVC, as they can get extremely squeaky with the passage of time. You can apply a spray lubricant like WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate the keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant on your key, wipe it off to avoid redistributing any dirt that may have built up.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you should test it. Observe if the door slides effortlessly into and out of its frame. Make sure that the hinges and the locking point are aligned properly with the frame. You can see the alignment marks along the edge of the door frame. You can easily fix the alignment issues by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
Also, it's important to note that there are different types of uPVC patio door locks that are available, and you may have to replace the lock if the one you have 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 ensure safe. These assemblies are made up of three components, including an E2014 mortise lock, escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The mechanism of the lock for most patio doors is hidden within the door. You can buy an upgrade kit from most home improvement stores and locksmiths in the event that your key cylinder has been damaged or you want to upgrade your lock to provide better security. These kits cost $10 to $20 and include a tool for opening the lock as well as a spare key cylinder. https://squareblogs.net/dustpair8/10-graphics-inspirational-about-patio-door-repair-near-me included in the kit will show you how to disassemble and clean your 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 in the lock hole of the door frame.
Dry graphite powder is used to lubricate locks. It is a low-cost and widely used alternative to liquid lubricants, which can draw dust and gum the mechanism. You can buy it at hardware stores, model trains shops, and even some offices supply stores. If you decide to purchase it, make sure that the graphite chunk is devoid of any wood particles. You can also purchase an industrial graphite lubricant that is available in spray form. When applied to the lock, the solvent present in the spray evaporates, leaving behind a layer of dry graphite that lubricates the lock without attracting dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also lubricate your lock by spraying WD-40 onto the keyway. Push your key in-and-out several times to distribute the grease. After a few moments you can turn the key and see if it turns smoothly. If your key is still stuck, try again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Changing your patio door locks is a straightforward task for the majority of homeowners, however the process can be more complicated if have a sliding door with an invisible latch and a deadbolt lock built-in. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you'll have to remove the decorative cover by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place with the aid of a screwdriver. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt it is necessary to take off the bolt. Install the new lock after taking out the deadbolt assembly and the knob.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important component of the security of your home and it's normal that they malfunction at times. There are times when debris can get caught in the mechanism of the lock or it could simply get worn out by the use and age. A damaged or broken patio door latch can be an extremely dangerous security risk to your home. Conducting regular inspections of your patio door locks will help to keep them in good shape and will allow you to solve any issues that occur.
If you find that lubricating the lock doesn't fix the problem it's time to replace it. Most homeowners can perform this task by themselves. However, it's essential to go through the directions to ensure that your new lock is compatible with the old lock. It's also an excellent idea to bring the lock you have previously used to the store so that a customer service representative can help you find the right replacement.
To replace a patio door handle remove the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing screws that hold the handle in place. Once the handle is removed, you will be able to gain access to the screws that connect the lock body to the door jamb.
After removing the screws, you can slide out the latch body from the door frame. Be sure to fix the lever using a graphite pencil since it will fall into the frame and get lost if not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike. The hole where the lock hook is located when the patio door is closed will be exposed. After you have removed the old door strike, you are able to put the new one in.
When re-screwing a door strike, you must be sure to use screws that are longer as they'll be used to secure the strike to the frame. It is also important to ensure that the new strike is properly aligned with the opening in the door frame, and make sure you tighten the two parts.
There are many different locks for patio doors. The most common is the central rail lock that is operated by a key. They bolt the door into the frame at multiple points and, when the key is inserted, all the points will be locked. These locks offer a greater level of security than standard locking mechanisms, and often result in a reduction on homeowner's insurance.