Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are essential to your home's security. If they don't work properly, you put your family and possessions at risk.
Fortunately, a few easy steps will usually solve patio door lock problems and help keep your home safe. This easy fix is cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are a crucial security feature and they need to work efficiently 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 best to be proactive in dealing with these issues and regularly inspect your sliding door locks for indications of damage and make the necessary repairs.
The most frequent issue that may affect your patio door locks is difficulty locking or unlocking, a sluggish latch, and keys that don't move smoothly. You may need to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws according to the issue you are experiencing.
If the issue with the lock on your patio door is that it is stuck in the open position, you can try using a credit card or a flat-head screwdriver to pry it loose. If neither of these solutions are working, you should contact a professional locksmith who will help you open the lock on your patio door without damaging the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors are usually fitted with a mortise lock that includes a handle as well as a cylinder to secure the lock. These locks are secure, but can bend or break when a slammed patio door. You should 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. 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 to the current mounting setup. It's difficult to install the lock that's not compatible with your existing hardware. This could lead to further problems in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most popular point of entry into the home and therefore a prime target for burglars. It is therefore vital that the lock on your patio door is functional and complies with Police & Insurance Standards.
There are some simple ways to repair a lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will allow you to make sure that your patio doors are working properly and are providing the security you expect.
First, you should clean the lock with hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You want to wipe away any dirt or stains that might have built up on the lock. After this then you can use a dry cloth to get rid of any excess water and let the lock air-dry completely before attempting to re-insert it.
Then, you must be sure to lubricate your lock. This is particularly important for patio doors made of uPVC, as they can get extremely squeaky with the passage of time. Use WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant ensure that you clean your key afterward to avoid redistributing any grime that may have gathered on it.
Once your uPVC patio doors have been cleaned and lubricated, then test them. Observe whether the door is moving in and out of the frame without a hitch. Check that the hinges and locking point are properly aligned with the frame. You can see the alignment marks along the edge of the door frame. It is easy to fix the problem by re-aligning the doors to the frame.
It's also important to know that various types of uPVC door locks are available. You might need to replace your lock if it is damaged or broken. If you own E2011 patio door locks, you will need to replace them to be 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 patio door repair of the lock for most patio doors is hidden inside the door. If the key cylinder wears out or you want to upgrade the lock to ensure greater security, you can purchase a replacement kit from most home improvement stores or locksmiths. The kits cost between $10 and $20 and include a tool to open the lock and an additional cylinder. The instructions in the kit will show you how to disassemble and clean your old lock. Install the new lock. Depending on how tightly the key cylinder fits in the hole of the lock it is possible to adjust it slightly to ensure proper operation.
Dry graphite powder is used to lubricate locks. It is an inexpensive and widely used alternative to liquid lubricants which can attract dust and gum the mechanism. You can purchase it at hardware stores, model train shops, and a few offices supply stores. If you decide to use it, ensure that the dry graphite chunk is free of tiny bits of wood stuck to it. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. When the spray is applied to the lock, the solvent present in the spray evaporates and leaves a layer of dry graphite that helps to lubricate the lock without drawing dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also apply lubrication to your lock by applying a few sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. The key should be pushed in and out several times to distribute the grease. After some time, try the key once more and see whether it turns easily. If your key is still stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Most homeowners can change their patio door locks, but if the sliding door has an invisible latch or deadbolt lock built in, the process could be more complex. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you'll have to take off the interior decorative cover by unscrewing the screws that hold it in place using the help of a screwdriver. If your patio door is equipped with a deadbolt it is necessary to remove the bolt. 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 fail. They are an important security feature for your home. Debris can get lodged inside the lock mechanism, or it may just get worn out by the passage of time and use. A broken patio door latch can pose an extremely dangerous security risk to your home. Conducting regular inspections of your patio door locks will keep them in good working order and allow you to easily correct any issues that arise.
If lubricating the lock does not fix the problem, you'll need to replace it. The majority of homeowners can complete this task themselves. However, it is essential to read the instructions in order to ensure that the new lock is compatible with the old lock. It's also an excellent idea to bring the old lock with you to the store to ensure that a customer service representative can assist you in locating a replacement.
The first step to replace the patio door lock is to take off the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing screws that secure the handle. Once the handle is removed, you are able to gain access to the screws that connect the lock body to the door jamb.
After the screws have been removed, you can lift the latch lever out of the door frame. Be sure to secure the lever using a graphite pencil as it could be thrown into the frame and become lost if it's not secured. The next step is to take the door strike from the jamb. The hole where the lock hook is when the patio door is closed will be exposed. Once the old door strike is removed, you can screw the new one in.
When re-screwing a door strike, it's important to use longer screws as they'll be used to attach the frame to the strike. Check that the new strike is aligned with opening of the door frame, and then tighten both of them.
There are many different locks for patio doors. The most common is the central rail lock that is operated by a key. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at several points and when keys are inserted all points must lock simultaneously. These locks offer a higher level of security than basic locking systems and can often result in discounts on your homeowner's insurance.