How To Tell If You're Prepared To Go After French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
When you lock your french doors, you want to make sure they're safe. You can accomplish this by choosing a lock system that will secure your door without obstructing airflow or affecting the appearance of your room.
French door locks typically have a three-point locking system that has flush bolts on the lower and upper edges of each door panel, and a lockset for the door that can be opened. This lockset can be difficult to penetrate.
Fixing a French Door that isn't Locking
It could be a major safety risk in the event that your doors do not latch or lock properly. It could also be a sign of a major issue such as a broken locking cylinder. But don't despair you can solve the issue by following just a few steps.
A door that won't latch is usually due to an obstruction blocking it. This can be something like a small piece of dirt stuck in the lock or it could be an issue with the latch itself.
If french door handle repairs high-wycombe examine the strike plate, (the metal piece that is on the inside of the doors which is positioned against the frame), you can see the truth. If you see a tiny metal tab sticking out of the strike plate, tap it gently with a screwdriver and hammer it to bend it slightly to allow the hole to be opened in the plate, allowing bolts can slide into it more easily.
A latch that has become stuck is usually caused by poor alignment or incorrect installation. Lubricating the latch will allow it to work better, but it won't solve issues with alignment.
If you do not have a strike plate it's easy to install one. The lock body (the part that screws into the door frame) will need to be removed from the door, and the lock assembly replaced. This is an easy task that requires a phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill.
It is recommended to keep the lock lubricated particularly the cylinder regularly to make sure it operates as well as possible. You can use silicone or graphite oil to do this. Apply the lubricant to the key and then turn it slowly several times until the cylinder can move freely.
A double-cylinder deadbolt is better than an ordinary deadbolt when comes to French doors. A handle twist lock will not be enough to deter intruders as a standard door deadbolt that has a thumb-turn can be destroyed if you smash the glass.
Repairing a French Door That Won't Latches
The issue is usually caused by the door latch not properly connecting to the strike plate hole. It is often caused by sagging hinges. However, it can be caused by an issue with the latch position or the latch itself. To help identify which one causes the problem, use lipstick or a similar marker to see where the latch makes contact with the strike plate hole. The location of this mark will help you to identify the cause of the issue - for example, if it is below the strike plate's hole, the hinges are the likely cause, but if it is above then the position of the latch could be the cause.
It is important to align the strike plate and latch holes when installing handles or the lock mechanism on the French Door. This is particularly important if one door has been closed for a long period of time. In that time the door may have moved. This is particularly common with doors made of timber and composite, since they are prone to expansion or contraction depending on the weather or environment.
To correct this, first remove the latch from the door's edge, then remove the locking strip from the handle. Then with a chisel that is sharp and hammer, enlarge the strike plate hole in the door frame. This will allow you to place the latch in a better position for the door. When the door is shut, it will close without catching the frame.
Once the latch hole has been enlarged, carefully insert the new latch inside the strike plate hole and screw it in. Then adjust the strike plate with the hammer, screw and nut until it is in the proper position. Test the door. Make any adjustments as required.
Another common problem with external French Doors is that the lock cylinder won't turn. This can be caused by dirt or wear and tear, but it's usually easy to fix. Most of the time, the lock is obstructed or the pins inside the cylinder are worn. It's worth a shot to see if a simple clean will result in a change. If the issue continues it could be necessary to replace the lock cylinder.
How to fix a French Door that won't open
If your French doors aren't locking, the problem is most likely due to debris and dirt blocking the lock mechanism. Checking that the door frame is clean and there is nothing blocking the locking mechanism is the first thing to do. It is possible that the French frame of the door and the French door are not aligned correctly. This can cause the French door to move against the frame, which can result in jamming.
The mechanism for locking is simple. A key turns the spindle, and then moves the bolt up and down on the rail. If the handle is moving but the bolt does not, then something is stuck. It could be that the lock's mechanics are not working properly or it could require lubrication. Try using a silicone spray - it will come with a pipe which you can use to direct the lubricant to the mechanisms of the lock. Spray generously then turn the handle to make sure that all components of the lock mechanism are lubricated.
It is also possible to adjust the position of the latch on the French door. This is easy to do and can usually be done from the outside of the door. If you're French doors were just installed they should be able to put the latch and handle in place with no problem. If they're older then you'll need to mark the positions of the holes for the handles on the door and the latch on the door frame using a template provided with the lock kit. Then, drill the hole for the handle or knob at the correct height (commonly about 36 inches from the floor) and then make a smaller hole along the door's edge for the latch.
Once the hole has been made, you must ensure that the latch plate is correctly set over the strike plate of the door frame. If it's not then the deadbolt might not retract into the strike plate when you press the lever to lock. The latch plate will have to be screwed in place.
Repairing a French Door That Won't Close
Sometimes the latch on the latch on a French door can become stuck, and it won't close, making the doors unusable. There's usually a solution to this, however it may require removal of one of the doors, in particular when they're heavy. In most cases the latch isn't aligned correctly with the strike plate, the jamb of the door, or both. The dead bolt might not be fully extended or retracted. Misalignment happens over time, due to weather, or from settling of the home.
It is sometimes difficult to open doors that are stuck. To solve this issue you need to loosen the screws that hold the hinge to the frame, and then add some shims that allow the door to be raised or reduced. This will move the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and will solve the issue.
If the latch does not fit in the strike plate hole, you can repair it by loosening the screw that holds the strike plate, and using an electric or metal file to cut off some of the edges until the latch is able to fit. If necessary, you may also have to remove the strike plate to cut out the hole.
Another issue that is common to French doors is that the locks do not engage properly. If you have a newer lock, this could be an indicator of a problem with the cylinder that locks. You'll need to take off the lock and examine it for obvious obstructions or damage and, if it's functioning properly, you may require replacing it.
If you have an older door that has a draught coming in, consider replacing the weatherstripping that was used on the outside of the doors. This will create a tight seal and stop the doors from catching. You can also install door sweeps to ensure that all of the gaps that could be created are sealed. Install the sweeps on top and bottom of the door.