Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are essential to your home's security. If they're not working properly, it can compromise the security of your family and belongings.
Fortunately, a few easy steps will usually solve issues with your patio door lock and help keep your home safe. This easy fix is to lubricate and cleaning the lock.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are a vital security element and require a lot of effort to keep burglars and elements at away. Wear and wear, extreme temperatures and dust can cause frame, hinges, and locking mechanisms to fail. It is recommended to be proactive in dealing with these issues and regularly inspect your sliding door locks for signs of damage and to repair the damage if needed.
Some of the most common problems with patio door locks include difficulty locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck and keys that do not rotate smoothly. You may have to adjust the lock mechanism or tighten screws according to the problem you are experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in an open position and you're unable to get it out try using a flat-head or credit card. If none of these options work, contact a professional locksmith who can assist you in opening the patio door lock without damaging the frame.
The mortise lock for sliding uPVC patio door is usually a handle and a cylinder which secures the lock. They are quite safe, but they may be susceptible to breaking or breaking due to the weight of a door that is slammed. It is important to check the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear, such as scratches or bends before they break and you have 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 searching for a new lock. This will ensure that you're getting the right lock for your door and is compatible with the current mounting configuration. If not, you'll face difficulties trying to install a new lock that's not compatible with the hardware you have. This could result in further problems in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are an incredibly common entry point into the home which makes them a prime target for burglars. It is therefore vital that the lock on your patio door is fully functional and meets Police & Insurance Standards.
There are a few easy things you can do to repair a lock that is refusing to cooperate. If you have to re-align the patio door or clean the lock, or even replace it, these four basic steps will ensure that your doors are functioning correctly and offering the security you'd like to have.
The first thing you must do is give the lock a good clean with some hot soapy water and a damp towel. You will want to remove any dirt or stains that may have built up on the lock. After you've done this then you can use a dry, clean cloth to remove any excess water and let the lock dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
Then, you must ensure that the lock is properly lubricated. This is especially important for doors made of uPVC, which can become extremely squeaky over time. Spray lubricant like WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate the keyways and internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant make sure you wipe your key afterwards to avoid redistributing any grime that may have gathered on it.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you must test it. Check if the door slides smoothly inside and out of its frame. Check that the hinges and locking points are properly aligned with the frame. You can see the alignment marks along the edges of the frame. It is easy to fix the alignment issues by re-aligning your doors with the frame.
It's also important to know that different 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'll need to replace them to ensure that you are secure with E2469 and E2487 lock assembly. These assemblies are made up of three parts, including an E2014 mortise lock, an escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For most patio doors, the lock mechanism is situated within the door, away from view. If your key cylinder is wearing out or you want to upgrade your lock to increase security, you can purchase a replacement kit from most locksmiths or home improvement stores. These kits range between $10 and $20 and include a tool to open the lock and a spare cylinder. The instructions in the kit will explain how to disassemble and clean the old lock. Install the new lock. Depending on how tight the key cylinder fits into the lock hole, you may need to adjust it slightly to ensure it is operating properly.
If you are looking to grease your lock, dry graphite powder is an easy and affordable alternative to liquid-based lubricants that can draw dust and clog the mechanism. It can be purchased from hardware stores, model train shops and some office supply stores. If you choose to use it, ensure that the chunk of dry graphite is free of tiny bits of wood that have stuck to it. You can also purchase a commercial graphite lubricant in spray form. The solvent in the spray evaporates when it is applied, leaving behind a dry layer of graphite which lubricates the lock.
You can also lubricate the lock by spraying WD-40 onto the keyway. Then, push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant across the lock. After a couple of minutes you can turn the key and check if it is turning smoothly. If the key does not turn then try the lock again within a few days after the WD-40 has had time to dry.
Change the locks on your patio door is a straightforward task for the majority of homeowners, however the process can be more complicated if you have a sliding door with an invisible latch and a deadbolt lock built-in. If your patio door is equipped with an invisible latch, it's required to remove the decorative interior cover by taking off the screws that hold it in place. If sliding glass patio door repair is equipped with a deadbolt, you will need to remove the bolt from the door's edge. After removing both the deadbolt and the knob assembly, you can install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are a crucial component of the security of your home and it's normal that they malfunction at times. Debris can get lodged inside the mechanism of the lock or it may just wear out with age and use. In either scenario, a damaged patio door latch poses a serious security risk to your home. A regular inspection of the patio door locks will help ensure they are in good condition and allow you to quickly solve any issues.
If you find that lubricating the lock doesn't fix the problem it's time to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can handle at home, however, it's crucial to follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock will work with your current system. You can also bring your old lock to the store to assist you locate a 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 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 remove the latch body from the door frame. Secure the latch lever using a graphite pen. It will fall into the frame if it is not secured. Then, take off the door strike. The hole in which the lock hook is located when the patio door is closed will be revealed. After removing the old door strike, you are able to put the new one in.
It is essential to use longer screws when re-screwing a door strike. They are used to secure it to the frame. Make sure that the new strike is aligned with opening of the door frame and then tighten them both.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors, but the most common is the central rail key-operated lock. They lock the door into the frame in multiple points and, when the key is inserted, all of the points should lock. These locks offer a higher level of security than standard locking systems and can often provide discounts on your homeowner's insurance.