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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks
Keeping your patio doors in good order will help protect your home from unwanted intruders. However, the elements may cause the doors and their locks to become damaged or misaligned.
You can repair your patio door lock on your own in the event that it isn't functioning properly. These steps will resolve issues with the handle, keyway, and latch.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are often targeted by burglars due to their huge amount of glass and the convenient location within a home. It is essential that your locks are working properly to ensure your home is safe. There are easy ways to fix patio door locks which have stopped working.
The first step is to examine the lock to ensure nothing is preventing it from latching or locking. You should take care to address any issues you discover such as loose screws or corrosion. In some cases, a small adjustment to the location of the patio door might suffice to solve the issue.
Dust or debris can also cause the lock mechanism to fail to function properly. To prevent this from happening, ensure that you clean your patio door frequently and clean the lock's hardware. If you need to, apply a mild soap solution. However, make sure that you dry the lock completely afterward.
Additionally, it's an ideal idea to lubricate the lock regularly. A lot of the moving parts of your uPVC patio door lock are like the parts of a fine-tuned machine, so they can get stuck and jammed just like any other mechanical device. Using a graphite pencil or a light lubricant can help to dislodge any dirt or debris that has collected inside the lock cylinder and keep it operating smoothly.
It is essential to know the exact dimensions of the patio door lock. This will help you find a lock that perfectly matches your existing mechanism. If you're not sure how to do this, it's best to talk to an expert tradesperson or locksmith to get help.
Clean the Lock
The intricate parts of the door lock can get jammed over time due to dirt, dust, and hot and cold weather. These issues can compromise your home's security. These issues are simple to fix if you know what to do.
Clean your lock prior to making any repairs. Clean any stains and debris with a damp cloth. Then use a bit of hot soapy water to wash the lock mechanism and remove any grit or grime that has built up over time. Allow your locks to dry completely after cleaning them.
The majority of patio doors have mortise locks that is secure, however, it is susceptible to problems in the course of time. If your uPVC locks have become stuck, you should first clean and lubricate them. Begin by cleaning the latch using hot soapy water. Then, remove the screws that are holding the body of the latch in place. After removing the latch plate and handle and handle, you can then remove it from its slot on the door frame.
Once the latch is removed and the latch is lubricated, you can apply lubrication to the lock with a light engineering oil such as WD40. If you don't own WD40, a graphite pen can be used to clean any grit and dirt from the mechanism. If your uPVC locks are still not working, you may have to relocate the lock cylinder. This requires additional tools and should be done by professionals. But you can practice shifting the cylinder, without taking it from the door by opening and closing the door with the cylinder in the lock position, after which making pencil marks on the inside of the frame where the screws are that keep the cylinder in place.
Lubricate the Lock
Once your lock is clean and free of dirt and debris it's time to lubricate both the keyhole and the locks themselves. The right lubricant will keep your lock in good condition and prolong its life.
Dry graphite is a fantastic way to lubricate small metal parts, like locks. It's non-sticky and oily. It is also more durable than liquids. It's simple to use and is suitable for use on sliding doors, garage door tracks, and door hinges. Master locksmith Shawn Fago recommends using a pencil-type graphite lubricant that is designed specifically for lock cylinders.
Liquid lubricants can be more effective than graphite powder, especially in humid climates. Silicone lubricants resist water and won't attract as much dust or dirt as other liquid fluids. They are effective in both low and high temperatures. However, some silicone lubricants may create accumulation over time and could displace other lubricants you've used.
Teflon-based lubricants can be a great alternative to silicone-based lubricants as they last for a long time and do not attract dirt and dust. They're also good for cold environments because they'll prevent ice from building up inside the lock.
If your lock's cylinder is extremely stiff and hard to turn, it's worn out and needs to be replaced. A professional locksmith can disassemble the lock mechanism and replace it with the new cylinder that matches your keys. They can also repair or modify existing locking mechanisms. A professional can replace the lock cylinder in case your door isn't equipped with one. This will increase safety and security. They can also put the faceplate of your new lock on your patio door to match the rest of the hardware.
Reposition the Lock Cylinder
If cleaning the lock with lubricant and lubricating it do not work, the problem may be that the door latch is not properly aligned with the side jamb or the frame of the door. To determine this you need to open the sliding patio door and look both ways from the latch opening to see whether the door is aligned with the jamb or frame. If not, loosen screws that hold the latch body and adjust it either upwards or downwards until the latch is firmly catching the latch hasp when the door is closed.
Sometimes the latch can be difficult to close due to a worn-out cylinder. A worn-out cylinder makes it difficult to turn the key, which is why you'll need to get a replacement. It is recommended to select one with the same keyway and dimensions as the one you had previously. This will allow you to replace it with ease by removing the two halves and inserting the new cylinder.
You can purchase replacement cylinders at many home improvement stores. You'll have to know the manufacturer and model of your current cylinder to be able to purchase one that is compatible with it. If you don't have the model or manufacturer then take a photo of the cylinder and its mounting screws and go to a hardware store to get help.
Once you have a new cylinder, unscrew the screw with a flat head that is holding it in place and remove the plate that holds it in place. Remove the lock cylinder, the escutcheon and door frame using a screwdriver. Place the screw in a secure place so you don't loose or damage it. Then, loosen enough the set screw that is located on the cylinder keep (the metal piece that fits into the rectangular hole of the door).
Replace the Lock
A patio door lock that isn't working properly can be a major risk to your security. Dirt and debris could become stuck within the lock mechanism. If this issue isn't treated promptly, the lock will eventually stop working and will no longer offer security. Replacing the patio door lock is a simple DIY project that requires only some tools and a little time.
Start by examining the lock to determine what is causing the problem. If cleaning and lubrication do not aid, the latch may be too bent to perform as it should. If this is the case, you should replace the latch with a mortise locking system to ensure that it's as secure and strong as you can.
Get patio door repair from a door hardware expert or locksmith if you're not confident about undertaking this DIY project. They'll have all the equipment and know-how to properly install the lock.
Maintaining your patio door lock in good working condition is a matter of routine maintenance. Check that the knobs and handles aren't loose and tighten them as needed. Lubricate your lock at least once a year to prevent it from sticking or becoming stiff. It is recommended that locks subject to heavy use or extreme weather should be lubricated more frequently. It is important to choose a lubricant that is specifically created for locks (WD-40's Specialist Dry PTFE Anti Friction or GT85). Apply the lubricant to keyhole of the lock mechanism for best results.