15 Reasons To Not Be Ignoring Patio Door Locks Repair
Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are an essential to your home's security. If they're not working properly, it can compromise the safety of your family and belongings.
It's simple to fix problems with the patio door lock with a few simple steps. This quick fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are an essential security feature. They need to be capable of surviving the elements and keep burglars out. However, patio door repairs near me and tear, cold and hot weather and dust can cause damage to the door's frames, hinges, and locking mechanisms and eventually, they cease to function as they should. It is crucial to be proactive and regularly inspect your sliding doors for damage and then make any repairs needed.
Some of the most frequent problems with patio door locks is difficulty locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck, and keys that don't turn smoothly. It is possible to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws depending on the issue you are experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in an open position and you cannot get it out Try using a flat head or credit card. If none of these options work, contact an expert locksmith who will help you open the lock on your patio door without causing damage to 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. They are secure but they may bend or break under the weight of an closed patio door. You should inspect the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear, such as bends or scratches before they break, and you'll need to replace them.
You could also take a photograph of the lock to determine its size and location. You can then give the details to a dealer if you are looking for a new lock. This will ensure you get an appropriate lock that is compatible with the door and is compatible with the mounting configuration that's currently in place. Otherwise, you'll have an issue trying to install a lock that's not compatible with the hardware you have. That could lead to further problems later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are a popular entrance point into homes which makes them a prime target for burglars. Therefore, it is essential that your patio door lock is functional and complies with Police & Insurance Standards.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps that you can take to deal with locks that are refusing to cooperate. These four steps will help you make sure that your patio doors are functioning correctly and providing the security you expect.
First, you should clean the lock with hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You should wipe off any dirt or stains that may have accumulated on the lock. Once you've done this, you can use a dry, clean cloth to remove any excess water and let the lock air-dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
The next step is to be sure to lubricate your lock. This is particularly crucial for doors made of uPVC that can become extremely squeaky as time passes. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways as well as internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant ensure that you clean your keys afterward to avoid redistributing any grime that may have gathered on it.
After your uPVC patio doors are cleaned and lubricated, you should then test them. Examine if the door moves effortlessly into and out of its frame. Also, make sure that the hinges and locking points are properly aligned with the frame of the door. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edge of your door's frame, and you can easily fix them by re-aligning the doors with the frame.
Lastly, it's worth noting that there are a variety of uPVC patio door locks and you may need to replace the lock if it is damaged or broken. If you own E2011 patio doors locks, you'll have to replace them to ensure that you are secure with E2469 and E2487 lock assembly. These assemblies consist of three parts comprising an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plate and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For most patio doors the lock mechanism is within the door, away from the view. You can buy a replacement kit at most home improvement stores and locksmiths if your key cylinder has worn out or if you want to upgrade your lock to provide better security. The kits range from $10 to $20 and include tools for opening the lock as well as a spare key cylinder. Follow the instructions included in the kit to disassemble and clean your old lock. Then install the new one. You may have to adjust the cylinder of your key slightly to ensure proper operation based on how tightly it fits into the lock hole in the door frame.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is a cheap and common alternative to liquid lubricants, which can draw dust and gum the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores or model train shops as well as some office supply stores. If you choose to use it, ensure that the piece of dry graphite is free of tiny pieces of wood that have stuck to it. You can also buy the commercial graphite lubricant available in spray form. After application, the solvent in the spray evaporates, leaving behind a layer of dry graphite which helps to lubricate the lock without drawing dust or collecting moisture.
You can also grease the lock by spraying WD-40 into the keyway. Push your key in-and-out several times to distribute the fluid. After a couple of minutes then turn the key to 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.
The replacement of your patio door locks is a simple task 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 built-in deadbolt lock. 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 secure it. If your patio door is fitted with deadbolts it is necessary to take off the bolt. After removing the deadbolt and the knob assembly, you can put in the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an essential part of your home's security and it's not uncommon for them to malfunction from time to time. Debris can get lodged inside the lock mechanism or it could simply get worn out by the use and age. In either scenario, a damaged patio door latch presents an immediate security risk to your home. Regularly inspecting patio door locks can keep them in good shape and allow you to quickly solve any problems.
If lubricating the lock does not solve the issue it's time to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can complete at home, however, it is important to follow the directions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your existing lock. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help find a replacement.
The first step in replacing the lock on a patio door is to take off the handle. This can be done by unscrewing screws that hold the handle in place. After the handle is removed, you will be able to access the screws holding the lock body in place.
Once the screws are removed after which you can slide the latch body out of the door frame. Be sure to secure the lever using a graphite pencil as it could slide into the frame and be lost if not secured. Then, take off the door strike. The hole where the lock hook is when the patio door closes will be revealed. Once the old door strike is removed, you can put the new one into place.
When you are re-screwing the door strike, it's important to use screws that are longer as they'll be used to fix the strike to the frame. You should also check that the new strike is aligned correctly with the opening in the door frame. Then ensure that the two are secured.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors however the most commonly used is a central rail key-operated lock. These bolt the doors into the frame at several points, and once the key is inserted, all of the points should lock at once. These locks provide a higher level security than basic locking mechanisms and may result in a reduction on homeowner's insurance.