Why We Love Patio Door Locks Repair (And You Should, Too!)
Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are essential to your home's security. If they don't work properly, you can put your family's and possessions at risk.
It's simple to solve the problem of a patio door lock with just a few steps. This fast fix involves lubricating and cleaning the lock.
Inspect the Lock
Patio doors are an important security element and require a lot of effort to keep burglars and elements at the door. However, the wear and tear, cold and hot weather dust, and other elements can affect the door frames hinges, hinges, and locking mechanisms, and eventually cause them to cease to function as they ought to. It is best to take a proactive approach in addressing these issues and to regularly inspect your sliding door locks for signs of damage and make the necessary repairs.
One of the most frequent issues that can cause problems for your patio door locks is the difficulty locking or unlocking, a stuck latch, or keys that don't rotate smoothly. It is possible to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws according to the issue you're experiencing.
If the issue with your patio door lock is that it's stuck in an open position, you can try using a credit card or a screwdriver with a flat-head to get it out. If neither of these methods work, you should think about hiring a professional locksmith to assist you in opening the lock without causing damage to the frame of the door.
The mortise lock that is used on sliding uPVC patio door is usually a handle and a cylinder that secures the lock. The locks are safe however they can break or bend when a open patio 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 need to replace it.
It's an excellent idea to identify the size and position of the current lock by taking a picture using your digital camera. You can then provide these details to a supplier in the event that you're looking to purchase a new lock. This will ensure you're getting a lock that fits your door and is compatible with the current mounting setup. It will be difficult to install locks that aren't compatible with the hardware you have already. This could lead to further problems in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most common point of entry into the home, making them a prime target for burglars. It is therefore vital that the lock on your patio door is fully functional and meets Police & Insurance Standards.
There are some simple steps you can take to repair a lock that is refusing to cooperate. Whether you need to realign the patio door and clean the lock or even replace it, these four basic steps will ensure that your doors are functioning properly and providing the level of security you're looking for.
It is recommended to first clean the lock with hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You should wipe off any dirt or stains that might have built up on the lock. After you've done this, you can use a dry, clean cloth to wipe away any excess water and allow the lock to dry completely before trying to insert it again.
The next step is to ensure that the lock is properly lubricated. This is particularly important for patio doors made of uPVC as they can become very squeaky as they age. Use WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant on your key, clean it off to avoid redistributing any dirt that may have been accumulated.
After your uPVC patio doors are cleaned and lubricated, you should then test them. Examine if the door moves smoothly inside and out of its frame. Also, ensure that the hinges and locking points are properly aligned with the frame of the door. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edge of your door frame, and you can fix them by re-aligning your doors with the frame.
It's also important to note that there are different kinds of uPVC door locks are available. You may need to replace the lock if it's damaged or broken. For instance, if your have E2011 patio door locks, you'll have to replace them with E2469 or E2487 lock assemblies to be secure. These assemblies consist of three parts: an E2014 mortise latch as well as an escutcheon plate. the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For most patio doors, the lock mechanism is located inside the door, hidden from the view. If the key cylinder wears out or you wish to upgrade your lock to increase security, you can buy a replacement kit from most locksmiths or home improvement stores. These kits cost between $10 and $20, and come with a tool for opening the lock as well as an extra key cylinder. Follow the directions in your kit for disassembling and cleaning the old lock, and then put in the new one. Depending on how tightly the key cylinder fits in the hole of the lock it may be necessary to adjust it a bit to ensure it is operating properly.
Dry graphite powder is used to lubricate locks. It is an inexpensive and popular alternative to liquid lubricants, which can draw dust and gum the mechanism. It can be purchased from hardware stores, model train shops and some office supply stores. If you decide to use it, make sure the dry graphite chunk is free of tiny bits of wood sticking to it. You can also buy a commercial graphite lubricant in spray form. After application, the solvent in the spray evaporates and leaves a layer of dry graphite which locks without attracting dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also lubricate the lock by spraying WD-40 in the keyway. The key should be pushed in and out repeatedly to spread the lubricant. After a few moments then turn the key to see if it turns smoothly. 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, but if the sliding door is equipped with an invisible latch or deadbolt lock built in, the process could be more difficult. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you'll have to take off the interior decorative cover by removing the screws that hold it in place with a screwdriver. If your patio door is fitted with deadbolts it will be necessary to remove the bolt. After you have removed the knob and the deadbolt assembly, you can put in the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are a crucial element of your home's security and it's not uncommon for them to occasionally malfunction. Debris may get stuck within the lock mechanism or it could simply wear out over time. In either case, a broken patio door latch poses an extremely risk to the security of your property. Regularly inspecting patio door repairs can keep them in good shape and allow you to quickly solve any issues.
If lubricating the lock does not solve the issue, you'll need to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can complete themselves, however, it's crucial to follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your existing system. It's also a good idea to take the old lock with you to the store to ensure that a customer support representative can help you find the right replacement.
The first step to replace the lock on a patio door is to take off the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing screws that keep the handle in place. Once the handle has been removed it will be possible to access the screws holding the lock body in place.
After the screws have been removed and the screws are removed, you can remove the latch body of the door frame. Be sure to secure the lever using a graphite pencil since it will be thrown into the frame and become lost if not secured. The next step is to take the door strike from the jamb. This will reveal the hole that the lock hook goes into when the patio door is closed. Once the door strike has been removed, you can screw the new one in place.
When you are re-screwing the door strike, you must be sure to use longer screws as these will be used to fix the strike to the frame. Also, make sure that the new strike is aligned correctly with the opening in the door frame and tighten the two together.
There are different types of locks for patio doors The most popular is a central rail key-operated lock. These bolt the doors into the frame at various points, and once the key is inserted, all of the points should lock at once. These locks provide a higher level of security than the standard locking mechanisms and may result in a reduction on homeowner's insurance.