Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Repair Patio Door?
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks
Keep your patio doors in a good condition to safeguard your home from intruders. The elements can cause damage or misalignment to the patio doors and their locks.
You can repair your patio door lock by yourself when it's not working properly. These steps will fix issues with the latch, keyway, and handle.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are often targeted by burglars due to the large amount of glass and their convenient location within a home. It is crucial that your locks function properly to keep your home secure. There are simple methods to fix patio door locks which have stopped functioning.
First, inspect the lock and ensure that nothing is blocking it from locking or latching. You must deal with any issues you spot such as loose screws or rust. In some cases an adjustment of the patio door's position may suffice to resolve the issue.
Another common issue is dust or debris that could cause the lock mechanism to cease functioning properly. To avoid this happening, make sure to clean your patio door on a regular basis and wipe down the lock hardware. If necessary, you can apply mild soap. However, you must be sure that you dry the lock completely afterwards.
It is also a good idea to regularly oil your lock. The moving parts inside your uPVC patio lock are comparable to those found in a precision-tuned machine. They can jam or become stuck like any other mechanical device. A graphite pencil, or a tiny amount of lubricant, can be used to clean any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the lock cylinder. This will help keep it running smoothly.
It is important to know the exact dimensions of the patio door lock. This will help you find a lock that perfectly matches your current mechanism. If you're unsure of how to proceed, contact a professional locksmith or tradesperson for help.
Clean the Lock
The intricate parts of the door lock can jam up over time due to dirt, dust, and hot and cold weather. patio door replacement cost can compromise your home's security. These issues are simple to solve if you know what to do.
Clean your lock prior to making any repairs. Clean up any stains or debris with a damp cloth. Use hot soapy water and a small amount of grit to clean the lock mechanism. Let your locks dry completely after cleaning them.
Most patio doors are fitted with mortise locks that is safe but can be prone to problems over time. If you find that your uPVC locks has become stuck, it is important to clean and lubricate them. For an uPVC lock you can begin by cleaning the latch plate with a little of hot soapy water. Next, you'll want to remove the screws that hold the latch body in the position. Once you have the latch plate and handle removed, you'll be ready to take the latch out of its slot in the door frame.
Once the latch is detached, you can lubricate the lock using a light engineering oil such as WD40. If you don't have WD40, a graphite pen can be used to clean dirt and grit from the mechanism. If your uPVC lock isn't working, you might need to relocate the lock cylinder. This will require additional tools and should be handled by an expert. You can practice repositioning a cylinder without needing to remove it from the door. Close and open the door while the cylinder is in the lock position. Make pencil marks on the frame the area where the screws that support the cylinder in place are.
Lubricate the Lock
When your lock is free from dirt and debris, it's a good time to lubricate the keyhole as well as the locks themselves. Using the right type of lubricant will keep your lock in top shape, which will extend its life.
Dry graphite is a great way to lubricate small metal parts, such as locks. It's oil-free and non-sticky. It also lasts longer than liquids. It's simple to use and can be used on sliding doors tracks for garage doors, and door hinges. Master locksmith Shawn Fago recommends using a pencil-like graphite lubricant designed specifically for lock cylinders.
Liquid lubricants work better than graphite, particularly in humid climates. Silicone lubricants repel water and do not attract dust and dirt as much as other liquid fluids. They work well at high and low temperatures. However, some silicone lubricants could cause buildup over time and can replace other lubricants you've tried.
Teflon-based lubricants are a good alternative to silicone-based lubricants as they last for a long time and do not attract dirt and dust. They're also excellent for cold climates, since they prevent the build-up of ice inside the lock.
If your lock cylinder feels stiff and difficult to turn, then it's probably worn out. It will need to replaced. A professional locksmith will take apart the lock mechanism and install the cylinder of a new model that matches your existing keys. They can also perform repairs and adjustments to existing lock mechanisms. If your door doesn't have a lock cylinder an expert can replace it to increase security and safety. They can also put the faceplate of your new lock on your patio door to match the rest of your hardware.
Reposition the Lock Cylinder
If cleaning and lubricating the door does not work, the issue could be that the latch on the door isn't properly aligned with the jamb or frame. To determine this you need to open the sliding patio door and sight upwards and downwards from the opening of the latch to see if the door is parallel with the jamb or frame. If not then loosen the screws that hold the latch body and adjust it up or down until the latch catches the latch tightly when the door is closed.
Sometimes, the latch isn't closing properly due to a worn-out cylinder. A worn-out cylinder can make it difficult to turn the key, so you'll need an alternative. It's important to choose an alternative cylinder that is exactly the same size as the old one and has the same keyway, so you can easily replace it by simply screwing the two halves of the lock apart and inserting the new cylinder.
Many home improvement stores sell replacement cylinders. You'll be required to know the name and model of your existing cylinder in order to buy one that is compatible with it. If you don't know the model or manufacturer, take a picture of the cylinder with its mounting screws. Then go to the local hardware store for help.
Once you have the new cylinder in place, unscrew it from the screw that holds it in place. Remove the escutcheon. Make use of a screwdriver to remove the lock cylinder and escutcheon plate from the door and door frame. Put the screw in a safe place to ensure that you don't lose or damage it. Then, loosen the set screw that is on the cylinder keep (the metal piece that fits into the rectangular hole in the door).
Replace the Lock
A patio door lock that isn't functioning properly could pose a serious risk to your security. Dirt and debris could become stuck in the lock mechanisms. If this issue isn't treated promptly, the lock will eventually stop working and no longer offer security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively simple DIY project that requires some tools and a bit of time.
Start by inspecting the lock to determine what's causing the issue. If cleaning and lubricating the lock latch doesn't work the latch could be bent to far to function properly. If this is the case, you should replace the lock latch using a mortise locking system to ensure it's as strong and secure as possible.
Contact a door hardware store or locksmith if you're not confident about undertaking this DIY project. They'll have the tools and expertise needed to install the lock properly.
Maintaining your patio door lock in good condition is a matter of routine maintenance. Make sure the knobs and handle aren't loose, and if they are tight, tighten them when needed. Lubricate the lock at least every year to keep it from becoming stuck or stiff. Locks that have been subjected to heavy use or extreme temperatures should be lubricated frequently. The type of lubricant used is vital, so be sure to choose one that's specifically designed for use on locks (GT85 or WD-40's Specialist Friction Dry PTFE). For best results apply the lubricant directly onto the key hole in the lock mechanism.