Five Tools Everybody Who Works In The Patio Door Locks Repair Industry Should Be Using
Patio Door Locks Repair
Your home's security depends on the locks on your patio door. If they're not working properly, you can put your family's and possessions at risk.
Fortunately, a few easy steps will usually solve issues with your patio door lock and keep your home secure. This quick fix is lubricating and cleaning the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are an essential security feature. They should be strong enough to withstand the elements and keep burglars at bay. Regular wear and wear, extreme temperatures and dust can cause door frames, hinges and locking mechanisms to fail. It is essential to be proactive and regularly inspect your sliding doors for damage and make any necessary repairs.
The most frequent issue that could cause problems for your patio door locks is the difficulty locking or unlocking, a stuck latch, and keys that don't rotate smoothly. Depending on the particular issue you're having you may have to tighten screws or adjust the mechanism of the lock to get it working again.
If your patio door lock is stuck in the open position and you cannot pry it out, try using a flat-head or credit card. If none of these methods work, call a professional locksmith who will help you open the patio door lock 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. They are quite secure, but they can be susceptible to breaking or breaking under the pressure of a door that is slammed. It is a good idea to check the mortise lock and handle for indications of wear, for instance scratches or bends, before it is broken and you have to replace it.
You can also snap a picture of the lock to determine its dimensions and location. You can then give the details to a dealer if you are looking for the right lock. This will ensure you're getting a lock that fits your door and is compatible with your current mounting configuration. It will be difficult to install locks that aren't compatible with the hardware you have already. That could lead to further issues later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most common entrance point into the home, making them a prime target for burglars. It is therefore essential to ensure that your patio door lock is fully functional and conforms to Police & Insurance Standards.
There are fortunately simple steps that you can take to resolve 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 expect.
The first thing that you must do is give the lock a thorough clean using hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You'll need to get rid of any dirt or stains which have built up on the lock. After that you can use dry cloths to get rid of any moisture and let the lock air dry before attempting to re-insert it.
Next, you need to ensure that the lock is properly lubricated. This is particularly crucial for patio doors made of uPVC because they can become very squeaky as they age. Use WD40 or petroleum jelly to grease keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant to your key, clean it off to avoid redistributing any dirt that might have been accumulated.
Once your uPVC patio doors are cleaned and lubricated, you should then test them. Examine if the door moves smoothly into and out of its frame. Check that patio door lock repair RepairMyWindowsAndDoors and the locking point are aligned properly with the frame. You can see alignment marks along the edge of the frame. It is easy to fix the problem by re-aligning the doors to the frame.
It's also important to note that different types of uPVC door locks are available. It is possible to replace the lock if it's damaged or broken. If you own E2011 patio doors locks, you will need to replace them to ensure that you are secure with E2469 and E2487 lock assembly. These assemblies are made up of three components, including an E2014 mortise lock, escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For the majority of patio doors, the lock mechanism is situated in the door, hidden from view. If your key cylinder is worn 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. These kits cost between $10 and $20, and come with tools for opening the lock and a spare cylinder. The instructions included in the kit will tell you how to take apart and clean the old lock. Install the new lock. Depending on how tight the key cylinder fits in the hole in the lock it is possible to adjust it slightly to ensure it is operating properly.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is a low-cost and common alternative to liquid lubricants, which can draw dust and gum the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores, model train shops and some office supply stores. If you decide to use it, make sure the chunk of dry graphite is free of tiny bits of wood that have stuck to it. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. After application to the lock, the solvent in the spray evaporates, leaving behind a layer of dry graphite that helps to lubricate the lock without drawing dust or collecting moisture.
You can also lubricate your lock by applying several sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. Push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant across the lock. After a few minutes, try the key again and see whether it turns easily. If your key is still stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Most homeowners can easily change their patio door locks however, if your sliding door has an invisible latch or deadbolt lock the door, the process might be more complex. If your patio door is equipped with an invisible latch, it will be necessary to remove the decorative interior cover by taking off the screws that secure it. If your patio door is fitted with deadbolts, it will be required to remove the bolt. After you have removed the deadbolt and the knob assembly, you can put in the new lock.
Replace the Lock
It's not common for patio doors to malfunction. They are an important security feature of your home. The debris could get caught within the lock mechanism or it could wear out over the course of time. A damaged patio door latch could pose an extremely dangerous security risk to your home. A regular inspection of the patio door locks can keep them in good condition and let you swiftly correct any issues.
If the lubrication of your lock doesn't solve the problem, it's time to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can handle by themselves, but it's important to carefully follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock will work with your existing system. You can also bring your old lock to the store to assist you locate a replacement.
To replace a patio door handle take off the handle. You can do this by unscrewing the screws which hold the interior handle in place. Once the handle is removed, you will be able to gain access to the screws that connect the lock body to the door jamb.
After the screws have been removed after which you can slide the latch body out of the door frame. Make sure you secure the latch lever with a graphite pencil as it will fall into the frame and become lost if it's not secured. The next step is to take the door strike from the jamb. This will reveal the hole the lock hook is inserted into when the patio door is closed. After removing the old door strike, it is possible to install the new one.
When re-screwing the door strike, it is important to use screws that are longer as these will be used to attach the strike to the frame. Check that the new strike is aligned with the opening of the door frame, and then tighten them both.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors however the most commonly used is the central rail key-operated lock. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at several points, and when a key is inserted all of the points should lock at once. These locks offer a greater level of security than the standard locking mechanisms and may result in lower homeowner's insurance premiums.