Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are an essential to your home's security. If they're not working properly, it can compromise the safety of your family and belongings.
It's simple to fix problems with the patio door lock by following a few easy steps. This easy fix is cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are an essential security feature. They must be strong enough to withstand the elements and keep burglars at bay. However, wear and wear, cold and hot weather, and dust can take their toll on the door's frames, hinges, and locking mechanisms, and eventually, they stop functioning as they should. It is best to take a proactive approach in fixing these issues and to regularly inspect your sliding door locks for signs of damage and to make necessary repairs.
One of the most frequent issues that could cause problems for your patio door locks is the difficulty in locking or unlocking, a stuck latch, and keys that don't move smoothly. You may need to adjust the lock mechanism or tighten screws depending on the issue you are experiencing.
If the issue with the lock on your patio door is that it is stuck in the open position Try using a credit card or a flat-head screwdriver to pry it loose. If these methods don't work, consider calling a professional locksmith to help you open the lock without causing damage to the frame of the door.
Sliding uPVC patio doors typically come with a mortise lock which utilizes a handle and locking cylinder to secure the lock. The locks are safe, but can break or bend in the force of a closed patio door. You should check the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear, such as bends or scratches prior to when they break, and you'll need to replace them.
It's also a good idea to determine the size and location of the existing lock by taking a picture using your digital camera. This will allow you to convey these details to the supplier when you're searching for a new lock. This will ensure that you get the right lock for your door and is compatible with the current mounting setup. It's difficult to install a lock that isn't compatible with the hardware you have already. This could lead to more problems later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most popular point of entry into the home and therefore an ideal target for burglars. As such, it's crucial that your patio door locks are secure and up to Police & Insurance standards.
There are fortunately simple steps that you can follow to deal with locks that are refusing to cooperate. These four steps will assist you to ensure that your patio doors are operating in the right way and provide the security you require.
First, you should clean the lock using hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You will want to remove any dirt or stains that may have accumulated on the lock. Once you've done this, you can use a dry cloth to wipe away any excess water and let the lock air-dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
Next, you should be sure to lubricate your lock. This is particularly crucial for doors made of uPVC that can become extremely squeaky in time. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to grease keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant on your key, wipe it off to avoid spreading any dirt that may have built up.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you should test it. Observe whether the door is moving through the frame with ease. Check that the hinges and locking points are properly aligned with the frame. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edge of the door frame and you can easily correct them by re-aligning your doors to the frame.
It's also important to know that there are different kinds of uPVC door locks are available. You might need to replace the lock if it's damaged or broken. For instance, if your have E2011 patio door locks, you'll need to replace them with E2469 or E2487 lock assemblies to ensure that they are secure. These assemblies are made up of three components, including an E2014 mortise lock, escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The lock mechanism for most patio doors is hidden within the door. If your key cylinder is wearing out or you wish to upgrade the lock to ensure greater security, you can purchase an upgrade kit from many locksmiths or home improvement stores. These kits cost between $10 and $20 and include an opening tool for the lock as well as an extra cylinder. The instructions in the kit will show you how to take apart and clean your old lock. Install the new lock. Depending on how tightly the key cylinder fits in the hole in the lock, you may need to adjust it slightly to ensure proper operation.
Dry graphite powder is used to lubricate locks. It is a cheap and popular alternative to liquid lubricants which can draw dust and gum the mechanism. You can buy it at hardware stores, model train shops, and a few office supply stores. If you decide to use it, make sure the graphite chunks are free of any wood particles. You can also purchase an industrial graphite lubricant that is available in spray form. After application, the solvent in the spray evaporates, leaving behind a layer of dry graphite which lubricates the lock without attracting dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also add lubrication to your lock by putting several sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. Push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant throughout the lock. After a few seconds then turn the key to see if it moves smoothly. If the key is stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
The replacement of your patio door locks is a straightforward task for the majority of homeowners, however the process could be more complicated if have a sliding door with an invisible latch and a deadbolt lock that is 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 a screwdriver. If your patio door is equipped with a deadbolt, you will need to remove the bolt from the edge of the door. After removing both the knob and the deadbolt assembly, you are able to install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an essential part of your home's security and it's not uncommon that they malfunction at times. Debris can get lodged inside the lock mechanism, or it can simply wear out with the use and age. A damaged or broken patio door latch can be a major security risk to your home. Conducting regular inspections of your patio door locks will keep them in good working order and will allow you to correct any issues that arise.
If you find that lubricating the lock doesn't fix the problem it's time to replace it. This is a task that most homeowners can handle themselves, however, it's important to carefully follow 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 assist you to find an alternative.
The first step in replacing a patio door lock is to take off the handle. This can be accomplished by unscrewing the screws that hold the interior handle in place. After the handle has been removed, you can then remove the screws that secure the lock body to the jamb of the door.
After removing the screws you can slide out the latch body from the door frame. Make sure you secure the latch lever with the help of a graphite pencil because it could slide into the frame and get lost if it's not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike. This will reveal the hole that the lock hook goes into when the patio door is closed. After removing the old door strike, it is possible to put the new one in.
It is important to use larger screws when re-screwing a door strike. These will be used to fix it to the frame. You should also check that the new strike is aligned correctly with the opening in the door frame, and tighten the two together.
There are patio door replacement cost uk of locks for patio doors, but the most common is a central rail key-operated lock. They bolt the doors to the frame at various points, and once the key is inserted, all of the points should lock at once. These locks offer a greater level of security than standard locking mechanisms and may result in a reduction on homeowner's insurance.