patio door locks repair - Read the Full Document -

The security of your home is dependent on the locks on your patio door. If they don't work properly, you put your family and belongings at risk.

It's simple to fix patio door lock issues with a few simple steps. This simple fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.

Check the Lock

Patio doors are a vital security feature and must function effectively to keep burglars and elements at bay. Regular wear and tear, extreme temperatures, and dust can cause the door frames, hinges and locking mechanisms to fail. It is crucial to be on the lookout and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and make any repairs needed.

The most frequent issue that can affect your patio door locks is difficulty locking or unlocking, a sluggish latch, or keys that don't rotate smoothly. You may need to adjust the lock mechanism or tighten screws based on the issue you are experiencing.

If your patio door lock is stuck in an open position and you're unable to get it out Try using a flat head or credit card. If neither of these solutions work, contact an expert locksmith who will assist you in opening the door lock without damaging the frame.

Sliding uPVC patio doors typically come with a mortise lock which uses a handle and a locking cylinder to secure the lock. They are secure but they may bend or break in the force of a closed patio door. You should check the mortise locks and handles for indications of wear like scratches or bends before they break and you need to replace them.

It's an excellent idea to identify the size and positioning of the existing lock by taking a photo using your digital camera. This will help you communicate these details to the supplier when you're seeking a replacement lock. This will ensure you're getting an appropriate lock that will fit your door and is compatible with your current mounting configuration. It will be difficult to install a lock that isn't compatible with your existing hardware. This could cause further problems later on.

Clean the Lock

patio door repair service doors are the most frequent entrance point into the home and therefore the most frequent target for burglars. It is therefore essential that your patio door lock is functional and complies with Police & Insurance Standards.

There are fortunately simple steps that you can follow to deal with a lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will help you to ensure that your patio doors are functioning in the right way and provide the security you require.

The first thing that you must do is give the lock a thorough clean using hot soapy water and a damp towel. You want to wipe away any stains or dirt that might have built up on the lock. After you've done this you can use dry cloths to eliminate any excess moisture and let the lock air-dry before you try to re-insert.

The next step is to ensure that the lock is properly lubricated. This is especially important for uPVC patio doors because they can become very squeaky as they age. You can use a spray lubricant like WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate the keyways and internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant, ensure that you clean your key afterward to avoid spreading any grime that may have gathered on it.

After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you must test it. Examine whether the door is sliding in and out of the frame smoothly. Check that the hinges and locking points are aligned properly with the frame. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edges of the door frame and you can easily fix them by re-aligning your doors with the frame.

Lastly, it's worth noting that there are a variety of uPVC patio door locks available, and you may have to replace the lock if the one you have is damaged or broken. If you have E2011 patio doors locks, you'll have to replace them to ensure that you are safe by using the E2469 and E2487 lock assemblies. The assemblies comprise three parts: an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plate and the lock hasp.

Lubricate the Lock

For most patio doors, the lock mechanism is within the door, away from the view. If your key cylinder is wearing out or you want to upgrade the lock to ensure greater security, you can buy a replacement kit from most locksmiths or home improvement stores. The kits cost between $10 and $20 and include a tool to open the lock and an extra cylinder. The instructions in the kit will explain how to disassemble and clean your old lock. Install the new lock. Depending on how tight the key cylinder fits in the hole in the lock it is possible to adjust it a bit for proper operation.

If you want to lubricate your lock dry graphite powder is a common and inexpensive alternative to liquid lubricants which can cause dust to build up and damage the mechanism. You can purchase it at hardware stores, model trains shops, and a few office supply stores. If you choose to use it, ensure that the piece of dry graphite is free from tiny bits of wood stuck to it. You can also buy a commercial graphite lubricant in spray form. The solvent in the spray disperses when applied, leaving a dry layer of graphite to lubricate the lock.

You can also grease the lock by spraying WD-40 in the keyway. The key should be pushed in and out several times to distribute the lubricant. After a few minutes, try the key again and check if it turns effortlessly. If the key does not turn you can try it again after a few days, when the WD-40 has dried.

Most homeowners can change their patio door locks, but if your sliding door has an invisible latch or a deadbolt lock built in the door, the process might be more difficult. If your patio door is fitted with an invisible latch, it will be necessary to take off the decorative interior cover by taking off the screws that secure it. If your patio door comes with deadbolts it is necessary to take off the bolt. After removing both the deadbolt and knob assembly, you can put in the new lock.

Replace the Lock

Patio doors are a crucial component of the security of your home and it's not uncommon that they malfunction at times. Debris may get stuck in the lock mechanism, or it could get worn out over time. A damaged or broken patio door latch can pose an extremely dangerous security risk to your home. Regularly checking the locks on your patio doors can keep them in good shape and let you swiftly correct any issues.

If you find that lubricating your lock fails to solve the problem it's time to replace it. Many homeowners can handle this task themselves. However, it's crucial to carefully go through the directions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your existing lock. You can also bring your old lock to the store to help locate a replacement.

The first step to replace a patio door lock is to take off the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing the screws which keep the handle's interior in place. After the handle is removed, you will be able to remove the screws that hold the lock body in place.

After removing the screws, you can remove the latch body from the door frame. Make sure you secure the latch lever with a graphite pencil since it will be thrown into the frame and get lost if not secured. The next step is to take the door strike from the jamb. This will reveal the hole the lock hook fits into when the patio door is closed. After the old door strike is removed, you can install the new one in.

When you are re-screwing the door strike, it's important to use larger screws since these will be used to secure the frame to the strike. Make sure that the new strike is in alignment with the opening of the door frame and then tighten both of them.

There are a variety of locks for patio doors, but the most common is a central rail lock that is operated by a key. They secure the door to the frame in multiple points and, once the key is inserted, all of the points will be locked. These locks provide a higher level of security than the standard locking mechanisms and may result in a reduction on homeowner's insurance.