5 Laws That Can Help The Patio Door Lock Repair Industry
Patio Door Lock Repairs
Over time, the wear and tear can lead to lock malfunctions. There are a few basic steps you can follow to restore the security of your uPVC door.
These simple fixes will ensure your home is secure, whether you realign the lock or clean the locking mechanism.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are ideal to let the outdoors in and keeping out the elements. However they can pose risky for security when the lock isn't functioning correctly. As time passes wear and tear, extreme cold and hot weather dirt and debris could affect your patio door's lock and make it difficult to open. With a little attention, you can make sure that your lock for your patio door is always working in a proper manner.
It's crucial to clean the lock on your patio door and all its moving parts. This will help get rid of any grime and coatings that may hinder the lock from functioning as it should. Begin by wiping all the moving parts of the lock for your patio door with a damp, clean cloth. then make use of a scouring pad, or a rough damp cloth to scrub any hard-to-reach areas of the door or frame that are ingrained with dirt. Then, wipe the entire lock with dry cloth to get rid of any remaining dampness and let it to dry completely before applying it to the next time.
If your patio door has pin-tumbler latches You can apply powdered Graphite to the key. You can also use a Teflon lubricant like WD-40 Multi Use Product. This type of lubricant is able to be applied easily and doesn't dissolve over time. If you're unable find the correct lubricant for your lock, you can use a pencil with more of a thicker tip. Insert the pencil into the lock and move it around to distribute the graphite.
Tracks for sliding patio doors require regular maintenance to keep them free of dust, dirt, and debris. These tracks can be especially susceptible to ice and snow which can cause them to be stuck or jammed which makes it difficult for your patio doors to open and close.
The sliding rails of the patio door track and rollers can be cleaned by removing dirty or damaged weather stripping and then cleaning it, before reinstalling it. Patio door rollers can also be cleaned and sprayed down with an oil that is non-stick.
Lubricate the Moving Parts
uPVC french doors, similar to sliding patio doors, work with 3-4 or occasionally 5-point locking mechanisms which include the handle and lock cylinder controlled by the key. These doors also need maintenance, specifically lubrication on the moving parts. This can be done using a thin oil (never WD40) and should be done every year.
If sagging hinges aren't a cause, the door could be misaligned and catching or rubbing against the strike plate's hole in the frame. Remove the strike plate and use a sharp tool to increase the size of its mortise. This lets the latch sit perfectly in the hole and prevents rubbing or catching on the frame.
Once patio doors repairs is cleared of the way, measure its width with a book or piece of wood that fits into the gap of adjustment screw above the lock. The outer dimension is the distance from the outside of the door to the middle of the cylinder, and the inner measurement runs from the center of the adjustment screw to the end of the cylinder.
Check the width of the lock.
If your patio door latch is difficult to turn, even after oiling and cleaning, it's possible that it is not aligned with the strike plate. Check to see if the door is balanced and if the hinge screws are secure however, in many instances shifting the strike plate upwards or downwards can correct the issue.
The latch might not work properly if the strike of the lock is too small. In this situation, you'll need to enlarge the hole with the hammer or chisel and then test the latch to ensure that it is able to engage the strike plate smoothly without rubbing against or getting caught on the door's frame jamb.
Before you purchase a replacement lock, it is important to identify the type of mortise lock you have. You can do this by looking at the faceplate of the lock and determining if it is square or round. Look at each screw hole in the existing lock and note their dimensions. This will enable you to find a replacement lock that is exactly the same width and will fit into the hole that you already have.
You'll want to identify the mortise lock, and then examine it for scratches, bends, or other damage that needs to be fixed. A badly bent or damaged latch is more likely than one that has frequently used to break. Replace the lock if it shows signs of damage.
Once you've decided on the kind of lock replacement you need, it's now time to begin the actual repair. The spindle and handle must be removed from the patio door. Insert the new handle. Start by installing the interior handle. Align it with the spindle, and then secure it in by using two screws or bolts. Once the handle in the interior is installed, put in the handle that is outside and screw it in place as well. After you've completed these steps then you can test the new handles to ensure that they open and close easily and that the latch catches properly with the strike plate.
Make sure you check the Strike of the door.
The strike plate and the door latch are two parts which work together to secure the door. If these parts aren't aligned correctly, the latch won't latch the door shut properly. This issue is usually simple to repair.
First, examine the holes in the strike plate's receiving to ensure that they are free of obstructions such as dirt or plastic plugs. Then loosen the keeper screws that keep the strike plate in place, allowing it to move vertically but not removing it from the frame of your door. Then, adjust the strike plate to ensure that its holes for receiving align with the latch hooks on the door latch. Once the strike plate is adjusted tighten the screws, and then test the door to see if it shuts smoothly with the new adjustment.
Door strike plates can be difficult to access for homeowners with sliding patio doors, however they're essential for locking and unlocking your door. The metal plates are typically placed on the top and bottom of the door jamb, where they support the door's latch. The door latch is able to slide into the strike plate to create an airtight seal when closed. If the strike plate is damaged, rusted, or not properly installed, it could hinder the latch from locking the door securely.
A misalignment between the strike plate and latch is the most common reason for the patio lock not to close or stay. This can be confirmed using the "lipstick" test. Apply a little lipstick on the outside of the deadbolt. Then cover it with masking tape. When you shut the door the lipstick will leave an impression on the tape, indicating you exactly where the latch connects to the strike plate. If the mark is too high or low it is possible to adjust the strike plate.
Sliding patio door locks help protect your home from intruders, and if they're not functioning correctly, you must repair the issue quickly. If you follow these steps, you can fix the lock on your patio door and get it back to normal in no time.