patio door repair near me on your patio doors are an integral part of your home's security. If they're not functioning properly, you can put your family's and possessions at risk.
A few simple steps can fix problems with patio door locks and help keep your home safe. This simple fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are a vital security element and must function effectively to keep burglars and elements at bay. Regular wear and tear, extreme temperatures, and dust can cause the frames, hinges and locking mechanisms to fail. It is essential to be on the lookout and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and make any repairs that are required.
One of the most frequent issues that can affect your patio door locks is the difficulty in locking or unlocking, a sluggish latch, and keys that don't rotate smoothly. It is possible to adjust the lock mechanism or tighten screws based on the issue you're experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in the open position and you're unable to pry it out Try using a flat head or credit card. If none of these options are working, you should contact a professional locksmith who will help you open the door lock without causing damage to the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors are usually fitted with a mortise lock which uses a handle and a cylinder to secure the lock. These locks are fairly secure, but they can be prone to bending or breaking due to the weight of a door that has been slammed. It is a good idea to examine the mortise lock and handle for indications of wear, such as bends or scratches, before it breaks and you must replace it.
It's an excellent idea to identify the size and positioning of the existing lock by taking a photograph with your digital camera. This will enable you to provide these details to the supplier when you're seeking a replacement lock. This will ensure that you get a lock that fits your door and is compatible with the current mounting configuration. It's difficult to install the lock that's not compatible with your existing hardware. This could lead to more issues later on.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most popular entry point into a home, making them the most frequent target for burglars. It is therefore vital that the lock on your patio door is functional and complies with Police & Insurance Standards.
There are a few easy ways to fix a lock that won't cooperate. These four steps will assist you to make sure that your patio doors are working correctly and providing the security you need.
You should first clean the lock with hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You should wipe off any stains or dirt that may have accumulated on the lock. After you've done this, you can use a dry cloth to remove any excess water and allow the lock to dry completely before attempting to re-insert it.
The next step is to make sure that the lock is lubricated. This is particularly important for doors made of uPVC, which are prone to becoming extremely noisy as time passes. 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 has been accumulated.
Once your uPVC patio doors have been cleaned and lubricated, then test them. Check to see if the door is sliding in and out of the frame without a hitch. Also, make sure 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's frame, and you can fix them by aligning the doors with the frame.
Lastly, it's worth noting that there are different types of uPVC patio door locks, and you may have to replace the lock if yours is damaged or broken. For instance, 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. These assemblies are made up of three components, including an E2014 mortise lock, an escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
The mechanism that locks the majority of patio doors is concealed inside the door. If your key cylinder is worn out or you wish to upgrade your lock to increase security, you can purchase a replacement kit from most home improvement stores or locksmiths. These kits cost $10 to $20 and include a tool for opening the lock as well as an additional cylinder. Follow the instructions in the kit for disassembling and cleaning your old lock. Then install the new lock. You may have to adjust the cylinder slightly to ensure proper operation depending on how tight it fits in the lock hole within the door frame.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is a cheap and widely used alternative to liquid lubricants which can attract dust and gum the mechanism. You can purchase it from hardware stores, model train shops and some office supply stores. If you decide to use it, ensure that the chunk of dry graphite is free of tiny bits of wood sticking to it. You can also buy 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 that helps to lubricate the lock without drawing dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also apply lubrication to your lock by applying several sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. Push your key in-and-out several times to distribute the lubricant. After a few minutes, try the key once more and see if it turns easily. If the key does not turn then try the lock again a few days later when the WD-40 has been allowed to dry.
The replacement of your patio door locks is a simple task for most homeowners, however the process could be more complicated if have a sliding door with an invisible latch and deadbolt lock that is built-in. If your patio door comes with an invisible latch, it will be required to remove the decorative interior cover by unscrewing screws that hold it in place. If your patio door is fitted with deadbolts, it will be necessary to remove the bolt. After removing both the deadbolt and knob assembly, you can install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
Patio doors are a crucial component of the security of your home and it's common for them to occasionally malfunction. The debris can get stuck inside 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 immediate security risk to your home. Conducting regular inspections of your patio door locks can help keep them in good condition and allow you to easily correct any issues that arise.
If lubricating your lock does not solve the problem then it's time to replace it. The majority of homeowners can complete this task by themselves. However, it's essential to go through the directions to ensure that the new lock is compatible. It's also an excellent idea to bring the old lock with you to the store to ensure that a customer service representative can assist you in locating the right replacement.
The first step in replacing the patio door lock is to take off the handle. This can be done by removing 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 removing the screws, you can remove the latch body from the door frame. Make sure you secure the lever using a graphite pencil since it could slide into the frame and be lost if it is not secured. The next step is to remove the door strike from the jamb. The hole where the lock hook is located when the patio door closes will be revealed. Once the door strike has been removed, you can install the new one into place.
It is crucial to use longer screws when re-screwing a door strike. These will be used to secure it to the frame. Make sure that the new strike is in alignment with the opening of the door frame, and then tighten them both.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors however the most commonly used is a central rail key-operated lock. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at multiple points, and once the key is inserted, all of the points should lock at once. These locks provide a higher level of security than basic locking systems, and often result in discounts on homeowner's insurance.