Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are an integral part of your home's security. If they're not working properly, you put your family's and possessions at risk.
A few simple steps can usually fix problems with patio door locks and keep your home secure. This easy fix is cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are an important security feature and they must function effectively to keep burglars and the elements at bay. However, regular wear and wear, cold and hot weather, and dust can take their toll on the door's frames hinges, hinges and locking mechanisms and eventually, they stop functioning as they should. It is essential to be proactive and regularly inspect your sliding doors for damage and then make any repairs needed.
Among the most common problems that may affect your patio door locks is the difficulty locking or unlocking, a sluggish latch, and keys that don't rotate smoothly. It is possible to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws depending on the issue you are experiencing.
If the issue with your patio door lock is that it's stuck in an open position Try using credit card or a screwdriver with a flat head to break it loose. If these methods don't work, you should consider calling a professional locksmith assist you in opening the lock without causing damage to the frame of the door.
Sliding uPVC patio doors typically come with a mortise lock which uses a handle and a cylindrical lock to secure the lock. These locks are fairly secure, but they can be prone to bending or breaking under the weight of a slammed door. It's a good idea to inspect the mortise lock and handle for signs of wear, like bends or scratches, before it is broken and you need to replace it.
It's an excellent idea to determine the size and positioning of the existing lock by taking a photo with your digital camera. This will allow you to communicate these details to a vendor when you're searching for a new lock. This will ensure that you receive the right lock for your door and is compatible with the mounting configuration that's currently in place. In the event that it isn't, you'll have a difficult time installing a new lock that isn't compatible with the current hardware. This could lead to more problems later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are an incredibly common entry point into the home, making them a prime target for burglars. Therefore, it is essential that your patio door lock is fully functional and meets Police & Insurance Standards.
There are a few simple ways to fix a lock that won't cooperate. These four steps will help you to ensure that your patio doors are operating properly and are providing the security you expect.
First, you should clean the lock with hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You'll need to get rid of any dirt or stains that may have accumulated on the lock. After this you can use a dry, clean cloth to get rid of any excess water and allow the lock to dry completely before trying to re-insert it.
The next step is to make sure that your lock is lubricated. This is particularly important for doors made of uPVC, which tend to become very squeaky in time. Spray lubricant such as WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate the keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant make sure you wipe your keys afterward to avoid spreading any dirt that may have accumulated on it.
After your uPVC patio doors have been cleaned and lubricated, you should then test them. Check if the door slides smoothly into 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 see the alignment marks on the edge of your door frame, and you can fix them by aligning the doors with the frame.
Lastly, it's worth noting that there are various types of uPVC patio door locks and you might need to replace the lock if the one you have is damaged or broken. For example, if you have E2011 patio door locks, you'll need to replace them with E2469 or E2487 lock assemblies to ensure that they are secure. The assemblies comprise three components comprised of an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plate and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The mechanism of the lock for the majority of patio doors is concealed within the door. If the key cylinder wears out or you want to upgrade your lock to ensure greater security, you can purchase an upgrade kit from many home improvement stores or locksmiths. The kits range from $10 to $20, and include an opening tool for the lock and an additional cylinder. Follow the instructions included in the kit to disassemble and clean your old lock, then install the new one. You may have to adjust the cylinder of your key slightly for proper operation depending on how tight it fits in the lock hole within the door frame.
If you're looking to lubricate your lock, dry graphite powder is a common and affordable alternative to liquid lubricants which can cause dust to build up and damage the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores or model train shops as well as some office supply stores. If you decide to use it, make sure the graphite chunks are free of wood particles. You can also buy an industrial graphite lubricant that is available in spray form. The solvent in the spray disperses when it is applied, leaving an uninspiring layer of graphite which lubricates the lock.
You can also lubricate your lock by spraying WD-40 into the keyway. Then, push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant over the lock. After a couple of minutes you can turn the key and see if it moves smoothly. If your key still sticks, try the lock again within a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Changing your patio door locks is a simple task for the majority of homeowners, however the process can be more difficult if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and deadbolt lock built-in. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you'll have to remove the decorative cover by unscrewing the screws that hold the cover in place using the help of a screwdriver. If your patio door comes with deadbolts it is 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
It's not uncommon for patio doors to fail. They are an essential security feature for your home. There are times when debris can get caught in the lock mechanism, or it can simply get worn out by the passage of time and use. In either scenario, a damaged patio door latch presents an extremely risk to the security of your property. Regularly inspecting your patio door locks will help to keep them in good working order and will allow you to fix any issues that may arise.
If lubricating your lock does not solve the issue then it's time to replace it. double glazed patio door repairs www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is a job that most homeowners can do at home, however, it's crucial to follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock will work with your existing lock. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help to find an alternative.
The first step in replacing a patio door lock is to take off the handle. This can be done by unscrewing screws that hold the handle in place. Once the handle is removed, you are able to gain access to the screws that connect the lock body to the jamb of the door.
After the screws have been removed and the screws are removed, you can remove the latch body of the door frame. Make sure you secure the latch lever with a graphite pencil as it will be thrown into the frame and become lost if it is not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike. The hole where the lock hook is located when the patio door closes will be exposed. Once the door strike is removed you can install the new one in place.
It is important to use larger screws when re-screwing a door strike. They will be used to secure it to the frame. Check that the new strike is in alignment with the opening of the door frame and then tighten both of them.
There are many different locks for patio doors. The most popular is the central rail lock that is operated by a key. These bolt the doors into the frame at several points and when keys are inserted all points should lock simultaneously. These locks offer a greater level security than basic locking mechanisms and can often result in lower homeowner's insurance premiums.