10 Misconceptions That Your Boss May Have Concerning Patio Door Locks Repair
Patio Door Locks Repair
Your home's security depends on the locks that are installed on your patio door. When they aren't working correctly, it could compromise the safety of your household and belongings.
Fortunately, a few easy steps can fix patio door lock problems and ensure your home is secure. This quick fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are a vital security feature. They need to be capable of surviving the elements and keep burglars at bay. Regular wear and tear, extreme temperatures and dust can cause the frames, hinges and locking mechanisms to fail. It is recommended to be proactive about fixing these issues and to regularly inspect your sliding door locks for indications of damage and make necessary repairs.
One of the most frequent issues that may affect your patio door locks is difficulty locking or unlocking, a sticky latch, and keys that don't move smoothly. You may need to adjust the lock mechanism or tighten screws based on the issue you are experiencing.
If the problem with the lock on your patio door 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 none of these methods work, contact a professional locksmith who will assist you in opening the lock on your patio door without damaging the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors usually come with a mortise lock which includes a handle as well as a cylinder to secure the lock. The locks are safe however they can bend or break in the force of a closed patio door. It is recommended to examine the mortise lock and handle for signs of wear, like scratches or bends, before it breaks and you need to replace it.
You could also take a photograph of the lock to determine its size and location. This will enable you to communicate these details to the supplier when you're looking for a replacement lock. This will ensure that you're getting a lock that fits your door and is compatible with the current mounting configuration. If not, you'll face a difficult time trying to install a lock that isn't compatible with the current hardware. This could cause further problems later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most frequent entrance point into the home and therefore an ideal target for burglars. Therefore, it is essential that your patio door lock is fully functional and conforms to Police & Insurance Standards.
There are some simple things you can do to solve a lock that doesn't cooperate. These four steps will help you to make sure that your patio doors are working correctly and providing the security you expect.
First, you should clean the lock using hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You'll need to get rid of any dirt or stains that may have accumulated on the lock. After that, you can use dry cloths to remove any excess moisture and let the lock air-dry before you attempt to re-insert.
Then, you must lubricate the lock. This is particularly crucial for patio doors made of uPVC because they can become extremely squeaky with age. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to grease keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant on your key, clean it off to avoid spreading any dirt that has accumulated.
After your uPVC patio doors have been cleaned and lubricated, you should then test them. Observe if the door slides smoothly inside and out of its frame. Make sure that the hinges and locking point are aligned properly with the frame. You will notice alignment marks along the edges of the frame. You can easily correct the problem by re-aligning the doors with the frame.
Also, it's important to note that there are different types of uPVC patio door locks and you may need to replace the lock if yours is damaged or broken. For example, if you have E2011 patio door locks, you'll need to replace them with E2469 or E2487 lock assemblies to ensure that they are secure. These assemblies consist of three parts comprising an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plate and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For the majority of patio doors, the lock mechanism is located inside the door, hidden from the view. If your key cylinder is wearing out or you want to upgrade your lock for greater security, you can purchase the replacement kit at most locksmiths or home improvement stores. The kits range from $10 to $20, and include a tool for opening the lock and an extra key cylinder. Follow the instructions in the kit to disassemble and clean your old lock. Then install the new lock. Depending on how securely the key cylinder fits in the lock hole, you may need to adjust it slightly to ensure it is operating properly.
patio door repair near me can be used to lubricate locks. It is an inexpensive and widely used alternative to liquid lubricants which attract dust and gum the mechanism. You can buy it at hardware stores, model trains shops, and some office supply stores. If you decide to purchase it, ensure that the graphite chunk is devoid of any wood particles. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. When the spray is applied to the lock, the solvent present in the spray evaporates, leaving behind a layer of dry graphite which helps to lubricate the lock without drawing dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also lubricate the lock by spraying WD-40 onto the keyway. You can push your key in and out several times to spread the fluid. After a few minutes, try the key again and check if it turns easily. If your key is still stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
The replacement of your patio door locks is a straightforward task for the majority of homeowners, however the process could be more difficult if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch as well as a built-in deadbolt lock. 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 a screwdriver. If your patio door is fitted with deadbolts it is required to remove the bolt. Install the new lock after you have removed the deadbolt assembly and the knob.
Replace the Lock
It's not common for patio doors to fail. They are a crucial security element for your home. Debris can get lodged inside the lock mechanism, or it could simply get worn out by age and use. In either case, a broken patio door latch poses an extremely risk to the security of your home. Regularly inspecting your patio door locks can help keep them in good working order and allow you to easily fix any issues that may arise.
If lubricating the lock does not solve the issue then you'll have to replace it. This is an easy task that most homeowners can complete themselves, however, it is important to follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your existing system. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help locate a replacement.
To replace the handle on a patio door, remove the handle. This can be accomplished by removing the screws that hold the handle in place. Once the handle is removed, you can then remove the screws that secure the lock body to the jamb of the door.
Once the screws are removed after which you can slide the latch body out of the door frame. Secure the lever with a graphite pen. It will fall into frame if it is not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike from the jamb. This will reveal the hole the lock hook goes into when the patio door is closed. Once the old door strike has been removed, you can screw the new one in.
When re-screwing a door strike, it is important to use screws that are longer as they'll be used to fix the frame to the strike. Verify 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. The most commonly used is the central rail key-operated locking system. They lock the door into the frame at multiple points and, once the key is inserted, all the points will be locked. These locks offer a higher level of security than standard locking systems and may earn you discounts on homeowner's insurance.