Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are an crucial to your home's security. If they're not working properly, you can put your family's and possessions at risk.
It's simple to solve the problem of a patio door lock with a few simple steps. This fast fix involves lubricating and cleaning the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are a vital security element and must function effectively to keep burglars and elements at away. Wear and tear, extreme temperatures and dust can cause the frame, hinges, and locking mechanisms to fail. It's important to be on the lookout and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and make any repairs that are required.
The most frequent problems with patio door locks is difficulty locking or unlocking them, a stuck latch and keys that do not move smoothly. You may have to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws based on the issue you are experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in the open position and you are unable to get it out try using a flat-head or credit card. If neither of these methods work, you should think about hiring a professional locksmith to assist you in opening the lock without causing damage to the door frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors are usually fitted with a mortise lock which includes a handle as well as a locking cylinder to secure the lock. These locks are fairly safe, but they may be susceptible to bend or breaking due to the weight of a slammed door. It is a good idea to examine the mortise lock and handle for signs of wear, like scratches or bends, before it is broken and you need to replace it.
It's an excellent idea to know the dimensions and position of the current lock by taking a picture with your digital camera. This will allow you to provide these details to a supplier 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 mounting configuration that's currently in place. It will be difficult to install the lock that's not compatible with your existing hardware. This could cause further problems later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are a popular entrance point into homes, making them a prime target for burglars. As such, it's crucial that your patio door locks are functional and conform to Police & Insurance standards.
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to resolve the lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will allow you to ensure that your patio doors are operating in the right way and provide the security you need.
First, you should clean the lock with hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You will want to remove any dirt or stains that may have built up on the lock. After this, you can use a dry cloth to get rid of any excess water and let the lock dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
Next, you should make sure that your lock is lubricated. This is especially important for uPVC doors that are prone to becoming extremely noisy as time passes. Use WD40 or petroleum jelly to grease keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant to your key, wipe it off to avoid spreading any dirt that might 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. Also, ensure that the hinges and locking points are aligned correctly with the frame of the door. You should be able see the alignment marks on the edge of your door frame, and you can easily correct them by aligning the doors with the frame.
It's also worth noting that there are different types of uPVC patio door locks that are available and you may need to replace the lock if the one you have is damaged or broken. If you have E2011 patio door locks, you'll need to replace them to ensure that you are safe by using the E2469 and E2487 lock assembly. These assemblies consist of three components, including an E2014 mortise lock, escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For most patio doors, the lock mechanism is situated in the door, hidden from view. You can purchase an upgrade kit from most locksmiths and home improvement stores when your key cylinder is been damaged or if you want to upgrade your lock to provide better security. The kits range from $10 to $20, and include an opening tool for the lock as well as an extra key cylinder. The instructions included in the kit will tell you how to remove and clean the old lock. Install the new lock. Depending on how tight the key cylinder fits into the hole in the lock it is possible to adjust it a bit to ensure proper operation.
Dry graphite powder is used to lubricate locks. It is an inexpensive and common alternative to liquid lubricants which attract 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 use it, ensure that the dry graphite chunk is free of tiny pieces of wood stuck to it. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. After application to the lock, the solvent in the spray evaporates and leaves a layer of dry graphite that locks without attracting dust or collecting moisture.
You can also lubricate your lock by spraying WD-40 in the keyway. Push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant across the lock. After some time, try the key again and see whether it turns easily. If your key is still stuck, try it again 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 the door, the process may be more complex. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you will have to take off the interior decorative cover by removing the screws holding it in place with the help of a screwdriver. If your patio door is equipped with a deadbolt it will be necessary to remove the bolt. Install the new lock after taking out the deadbolt assembly as well as the knob.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an essential part of your home's security and it's normal for them to malfunction from time to time. Debris may get stuck within the lock mechanism or it may wear out over the course of time. A damaged patio door latch can be an extremely dangerous security risk to your home. Regularly inspecting patio door locks can help keep them in good condition and allow you to quickly fix any issues.
If lubricating the lock does not fix the problem then you'll have to replace it. Many homeowners can handle this task by themselves. However, it's crucial to carefully read the directions 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 locate a replacement.
To replace a patio door handle take off the handle. You can do this by removing the screws that hold the handle in place. Once the handle has been removed, you will be able to gain access to the screws that hold 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 frame if it isn't secured. The next step is to remove the door strike. patio door repair near me in which the lock hook is located when the patio door closes will be revealed. After removing the door strike, you are able to put the new one in.
When re-screwing the door strike, you must be sure to use longer screws as they'll be used to attach the strike to the frame. Check that the new strike is aligned with opening of the door frame, and then tighten both of them.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors however the most commonly used is a central rail lock that is operated by a key. They lock the door into the frame in multiple places and, once the key is inserted, all of the points must be locked. These locks provide a greater level of security than basic locking systems, and often earn you discounts on your homeowner's insurance.