Patio Door Locks Repair
Your home's security is dependent on the locks that are installed on your patio door. If they're not working correctly, it could compromise the safety of your household and belongings.
Fortunately, a few simple steps will usually solve patio door lock problems and keep your home secure. This fast fix involves lubricating and cleaning the lock.
Inspect the Lock
Patio doors are a vital security feature and must function effectively to keep burglars and elements at the door. However, wear and wear, cold and hot weather, and dust can affect the door's frames hinges, hinges, and locking mechanisms. This can eventually, they cease to function as they ought to. It is crucial to be on the lookout and regularly check your sliding doors for damage, and make any repairs that are required.
The most frequent issue that can affect your patio door locks is difficulty locking or unlocking, a sluggish latch, and keys that don't rotate smoothly. You may need to adjust the lock mechanism or tighten screws depending on the issue you are experiencing.
If the issue with your patio door lock is that it's stuck in an open position, you can try using credit card or a flat-head screwdriver to pry it out. If these options don't work, you should consider calling a professional locksmith assist you in opening the lock without damaging the door frame.
The mortise lock on sliding uPVC patio door is usually an cylinder and handle that is secured by the lock. The locks are safe however they can be damaged or bent under the weight of an closed patio door. It is recommended to examine the mortise lock and handle for signs of wear, such as scratches or bends, before it breaks and you must replace it.
You can also take a photo of the lock to determine its size and location. This will help you convey these details to a supplier when you're searching for a new lock. This will ensure you're getting the right lock for your door and is compatible with your current mounting setup. It's difficult to install a lock that isn't compatible with the hardware you have already. This could lead to further problems in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are an incredibly common entry point into the home, making them a prime target for burglars. Therefore, it is essential that your patio door lock is fully functional and meets Police & Insurance Standards.
There are some simple ways to repair a lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will help you make sure that your patio doors are operating correctly and providing the security you need.
The first thing that you should do is give the lock a thorough clean with some hot soapy water and a damp towel. You want to wipe away any dirt or stains that might have built up on the lock. After you've done that you can use dry, clean cloths to eliminate any excess moisture and let the lock air dry before you attempt to re-insert.
The next step is to be sure to lubricate your lock. This is especially important for uPVC patio doors as they can become extremely squeaky with the passage of time. Use WD40 or petroleum jelly to grease keyways and internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant, ensure that you clean your key afterwards to avoid spreading any dirt that may have gathered on it.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you should test it. Check if the door slides smoothly into and out of its frame. Make sure that the hinges and locking points are properly aligned with the frame. You should be able see the alignment marks on the edges of your door frame, and you can easily fix them by re-aligning the doors to the frame.
Also, it's important to note that there are various types of uPVC patio door locks available, and you may have to replace the lock if it is damaged or broken. If you have E2011 patio door locks, you'll need to replace them to be secure with E2469 and E2487 lock assemblies. The assemblies consist 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 in the door, hidden from the view. If your key cylinder is wearing out or you wish to upgrade the lock to ensure greater security, you can purchase an upgrade kit from many home improvement stores or locksmiths. The kits cost from $10 to $20 and include a tool for opening the lock, as well as a spare cylinder. Follow the directions in the kit for disassembling and cleaning your old lock, then install the new lock. It is possible that you will need to adjust the cylinder slightly to ensure proper operation, depending on how tightly it fits in the lock hole within the door frame.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is a cheap and popular alternative to liquid lubricants, which can attract dust and gum the mechanism. It can be purchased from hardware stores, model train shops and some office supply stores. If you choose to use it, make sure the graphite chunk is devoid of wood particles. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. When applied to the lock, the solvent present in the spray evaporates and leaves a layer of dry graphite that locks without attracting dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also apply lubrication to your lock by applying some WD-40 sprays directly into 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 check if it turns effortlessly. If your key is still stuck, try again a 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 you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch as well as a deadbolt lock built-in. If your patio door is fitted with an invisible latch, it will be necessary to take off the decorative interior cover by removing the screws that secure it. If Repair My Windows And Doors is equipped with a deadbolt, you will need to remove the bolt from the edge of the door. Install the new lock after taking out the deadbolt assembly as well as the knob.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important element of your home's security and it's not uncommon that they malfunction at times. The debris could get caught in the mechanism of the lock, or it may wear out over time. A broken patio door latch could pose a major security risk to your home. Conducting regular inspections of your patio door locks will help to keep them in good condition and allow you to easily solve any issues that occur.
If you find that lubricating your lock fails to solve the problem, it's time to replace it. The majority of homeowners can complete this task on their own. However, it's important to carefully 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 assist you to find the right replacement.
To replace the handle on a patio door take off the handle. This can be done by unscrewing screws that secure the handle. Once the handle has been removed you will be able to remove the screws that hold the lock body in place.
After removing the screws, you can slide out the latch body from the door frame. Make sure you secure the latch lever with a graphite pencil since it will slide into the frame and be lost if not secured. The next step is to take the door strike from the jamb. This will reveal the hole that the lock hook fits into when the patio door is closed. After removing the old door strike, it is possible to put the new one in.
It is essential to use larger screws when replacing the door strike. They will be used to secure it to the frame. Check that the new strike is in alignment with the opening of the door frame and tighten both together.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors, but the most common is the central rail key-operated lock. These bolt the doors into the frame at several points and when keys are inserted all points should lock simultaneously. These locks provide a higher level of security than the standard locking mechanisms and can often result in a reduction on homeowner's insurance.