Patio Door Locks Repair
The locks on your patio doors are crucial to your home's security. If they're not working correctly, you could put your family and possessions at risk.
Fortunately, a few easy steps will usually solve issues with your patio door lock and keep your home secure. This quick fix involves 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 tear, hot and cold weather and dust can affect the door's frames, hinges, and locking mechanisms, and eventually cause them to cease to function as they should. It is crucial to be on the lookout and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and make any necessary repairs.
The most frequent issue that could affect your patio door locks is the difficulty in locking or unlocking, a stuck latch, and a key that doesn't turn smoothly. It is possible to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws based on the issue you are experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in an open position and you are unable to open it, try using a flat-head or credit card. If these options don't work, consider hiring a professional locksmith to assist you in opening the lock without causing damage to the door frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors usually come with a mortise lock which includes a handle as well as a cylindrical lock to secure the lock. The locks are safe but they may break or bend when a slammed patio door. It is recommended to inspect the mortise lock and handle for indications of wear, like bends or scratches, before it is broken and you need to replace it.
It's also a good idea to determine the size and positioning of the existing lock by taking a photograph with your digital camera. You can then give these details to a supplier when you're looking for a new lock. This will ensure that you get a lock that fits your door and is compatible with the current mounting setup. If not, you'll face difficulties trying to install a lock that's not compatible with the hardware you have. This could lead to additional problems in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are a common entry point into your home, making them a prime target for burglars. As such, it's crucial that your patio door locks are functional and conform to Police & Insurance standards.
Fortunately, there are simple steps that you can take to deal with the lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will assist you make sure that your patio doors are working properly and are providing the security you need.
First, you should clean the lock using hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You should wipe off any stains or dirt that might have built up on the lock. After you've done this, you can use dry cloths to get rid of any moisture and let the lock air-dry before you try to re-insert.
Next, patio door repairs should lubricate your lock. This is especially important for uPVC patio doors as they can become extremely noisy with the passage of time. Spray oil lubricant, such as WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant to your key, wipe it off to avoid redistributing any dirt that might have been accumulated.
After your uPVC patio doors are cleaned and lubricated, then test them. Observe whether the door is sliding in and out of the frame with ease. Also, make sure that the hinges and locking points are aligned properly with the frame of the door. You should be able see the alignment marks on the edges of your door frame, and you can easily correct them by re-aligning the doors with the frame.
Also, it's important to note that there are a variety of uPVC patio door locks and you might need to replace the lock if it is damaged or broken. If you own E2011 patio doors locks, you will need to replace them to be secure with E2469 and E2487 lock assemblies. These assemblies are made up of three components, including an E2014 mortise lock, an escutcheon, and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For the majority of patio doors, the lock mechanism is located in the door, hidden from the view. If your key cylinder is wearing out or you wish 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 a tool for opening the lock and an extra cylinder. Follow the instructions in your kit to disassemble and clean your old lock. Then put in the new one. Depending on how securely the key cylinder fits into the hole of the lock it may be necessary to adjust it a bit to ensure proper operation.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is a cheap and popular alternative to liquid lubricants which attract dust and clog the mechanism. You can purchase it from hardware stores or model train shops, as well as some 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 purchase commercial graphite spray. The solvent in the spray disperses when applied, leaving a dry layer of graphite which lubricates the lock.
You can also lubricate your lock by applying some WD-40 sprays directly into the keyway. Then, push your key in and out several times to spread the lubricant throughout the lock. After a few minutes, try the key again and see whether it turns effortlessly. If your key still sticks, try the lock again within a few days after the WD-40 has had time to dry.
Many homeowners can easily alter their patio door locks, but if the sliding door is equipped with an invisible latch or deadbolt lock that is built-in the door, the process might be more difficult. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you will have to take off the interior decorative cover by unscrewing the screws holding the cover in place using a screwdriver. If your patio door is equipped with a deadbolt, it is necessary to remove the bolt from the edge of the door. After removing the deadbolt and the knob assembly, you can install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are an important component of the security of your home and it's common that they malfunction at times. Debris may get stuck in the lock mechanism, or it could wear out over the course of time. In either case, a damaged patio door latch can pose an immediate security risk to your home. Regularly checking the locks on your patio doors can help keep them in good shape and allow you to quickly solve any issues.
If lubricating the lock does not solve the issue it's time to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can complete themselves, however, it's important to carefully follow the instructions to ensure that the new lock will work with your existing lock. It's also an excellent idea to bring the old lock to the store to ensure that a customer service representative can guide you towards a replacement.
The first step in replacing the patio door lock is to take off the handle. This can be accomplished by removing the screws that keep the handle's interior in place. After the handle is removed it will be possible 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. Secure the latch lever using a graphite pen. It will fall into frame if it isn't secured. The next step is to take the door strike from the jamb. The hole in which the lock hook is when the patio door is closed will be revealed. Once the door strike has been removed, you can screw the new one in place.
When re-screwing the door strike, you must be sure to use screws that are longer as they'll be used to secure the strike to the frame. Check that the new strike is in alignment with the opening of the door frame and then tighten them both.
There are various types of patio door locks however the most commonly used is a central rail key-operated lock. They bolt the door into the frame in multiple places, and when the key is inserted, all the points should lock. These locks offer a greater level of security than standard locking mechanisms and may result in lower homeowner's insurance premiums.