Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are an an integral part of your home's security. If they're not functioning correctly, it could compromise the safety of your household and belongings.
It's simple to solve the problem of a patio door lock by following a few easy steps. This easy fix is cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Inspect the Lock
Patio doors are a crucial security element and need to work efficiently to keep burglars and elements at away. However, regular wear and tear, cold and hot weather, and dust can take their toll on the door frames, hinges, and locking mechanisms, and eventually cause them to stop functioning as they ought to. It is best to be proactive about dealing with these issues and regularly check your sliding door locks for signs of damage and repair the damage if needed.
The most frequent problems with patio door locks are difficulties locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck, and keys that don't turn smoothly. It is possible to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws depending on the problem you are experiencing.
If the issue with the lock on your patio door is that it's stuck in the open position Try using the credit card or screwdriver with a flat head to break it out. 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 doors usually come with a mortise lock which utilizes a handle and cylinder to secure the lock. These locks are fairly safe, but they may be prone to bending or breaking under the weight of a door that has been slammed. It is recommended to examine the mortise lock and handle for indications of wear, such as scratches or bends, before it is broken and you have to replace it.
You could also take a photograph of the lock to determine its dimensions and location. Then, you can provide these details to a supplier when you're looking for an alternative lock. This will ensure you get a lock that fits the door and is compatible with the current mounting setup. If not, you'll face difficulties installing a new lock that isn't compatible with the hardware you have. This could cause further problems later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are a popular entry point into the home and are a frequent target for burglars. It is therefore essential that your patio door locks are secure and up to Police & Insurance standards.
There are some simple steps you can take to repair a lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will assist you ensure that your patio doors are working properly and are providing the security you need.
The first thing you should do is give the lock a thorough clean with some hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You'll want to clean away any stains or dirt that might have built up on the lock. After that you can use dry, clean cloths to remove any excess moisture and let the lock air dry before you try to re-insert.
Next, you need to lubricate the lock. This is especially crucial for doors made of uPVC that can become extremely squeaky as time passes. Use WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant ensure that you clean your key afterwards to avoid spreading any dirt that may have accumulated on it.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you should test it. Examine whether the door is sliding in and out of the frame without a hitch. Check that the hinges and the locking point are properly aligned with the frame. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edges of the door frame and you can easily fix them by aligning the 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 need to replace the lock if yours is damaged or broken. If you own E2011 patio door locks, you will need to replace them to ensure that you are safe by using the E2469 and E2487 lock assemblies. These assemblies are made up of three components, which include an E2014 mortise lock, escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For most patio doors the lock mechanism is situated inside the door, hidden from the view. You can buy 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 to provide better security. The kits cost from $10 to $20 and include a tool for opening the lock as well as an additional cylinder. Follow the instructions included in your kit for disassembling and cleaning the old lock, and then put in the new one. You may need to adjust the cylinder of your key slightly to ensure proper operation based on how tightly it fits into the lock hole of the door frame.
If you are looking to lubricate your lock dry graphite powder is a popular and inexpensive alternative to liquid lubricants that can cause dust to build up and damage the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores, model train shops, and even some office supply stores. If you decide to use it, make sure the piece of dry graphite is free of tiny bits of wood stuck to it. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. When applied to the lock, the solvent in the spray evaporates, leaving behind a layer of dry graphite that lubricates the lock without attracting dust or collecting moisture.
You can also grease the lock by spraying WD-40 in the keyway. Push your key in-and-out several times to distribute the grease. After a few seconds you can turn the key and check if it is turning smoothly. If the key is stuck, try it again few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Change the locks on your patio door is a simple project for the majority of homeowners, however the process may be more complicated if have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and a deadbolt lock that is built-in. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you'll have to remove the decorative cover by removing the screws holding it in place using the aid of a screwdriver. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt, you'll need to remove the bolt from the door's edge. After you have removed the deadbolt and knob assembly, you are able to install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
It's not common for patio doors to fail. They are an essential security feature of your home. Debris may get stuck within the lock mechanism or it could simply wear out over the course of time. sliding glass patio door repair damaged patio door latch could pose a serious security threat to your home. Regularly inspecting patio door locks will help ensure they are in good shape and help you quickly solve any problems.
If you find that lubricating the lock doesn't solve the issue then you'll have to replace it. The majority of homeowners can complete this task by themselves. However, it is essential to read the instructions in order to ensure that your new lock is compatible with the old lock. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help you to find the right replacement.
To replace a patio door handle remove the handle. This can be done by removing screws that hold the handle in place. After the handle is removed, you will be able to remove the screws that secure the lock body to the jamb of the door.
After the screws have been removed after which you can remove the latch body of the door frame. Secure the latch lever using a graphite pen. It will fall into the frame if not secured. Then, take off the door strike. The hole where the lock hook is located when the patio door is closed will be exposed. After removing the old door strike, you can install the new one.
When re-screwing a door strike, it's important to use screws that are longer as they will be used to fix the strike to the frame. Check that the new strike is aligned with the opening of the door frame, and then tighten both of them.
There are various types of patio door locks The most popular is a central rail key-operated lock. They bolt the door into the frame in multiple places and, when the key is inserted, all of the points must be locked. These locks offer a greater level security than basic locking mechanisms, and often result in discounts on homeowner's insurance.