How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Keep your patio doors in good condition to safeguard your home from unwanted intruders. The elements can cause damage or misalignment to the patio doors as well as their locks. You can repair your patio door lock by yourself if it is not working properly. These steps will address problems with the latch, keyway and handle. Check the Lock Patio doors are often targeted by burglars due to their huge quantity of glass and their convenient position within a house. It is important to ensure your home is safe. Fortunately, there are simple ways to troubleshoot and repair patio door locks that aren't functioning properly. First, inspect the lock to ensure nothing is blocking it from latching or locking. If you find any issues like loose screws or rust, or even an issue with alignment, they should be addressed promptly. In some instances, a slight adjustment to the position of the patio door could suffice to resolve the problem. Another issue that is common is debris or dust that can cause the lock mechanism to not function properly. To avoid this occurring, be sure to clean your patio door frequently and wipe down the lock hardware. If needed, you can use a mild soap solution. However, you must be sure that you dry the lock completely afterward. Additionally, it's an ideal idea to lubricate the lock regularly. A lot of the moving parts of your uPVC patio door lock are like the parts of a fine-tuned machine, so they can be jammed and stuck just like any other mechanical device. Using graphite pencils or a light lubricant can help to dislodge any dirt or debris that may have accumulated in the lock's cylinder, and ensure that it is operating efficiently. Identifying the exact dimensions of the patio door lock is important. This will allow you to find an appropriate lock that is compatible with your existing mechanism. If you aren't sure how to do this, it is advisable to contact an expert locksmith or tradesperson for assistance. Clean the Lock The intricate parts of the door lock can get jammed over time due to dust, dirt, and hot and cold weather. These issues can affect your home's security. But it's easy to fix these issues when you know how. Clean your lock before attempting any repairs. Using a damp cloth, wipe away any stains or debris that could be hindering your lock from working properly. Use soapy water with hot water and a bit of grit to clean the mechanism of your lock. Let your locks dry completely after cleaning them. Most patio doors are secured with mortise locking mechanisms. This is a safe lock but can develop issues in time. If you find that your uPVC locks have become stuck, you should first clean and lubricate them. For the uPVC lock you can begin by cleaning the latch plate with a bit of hot soapy water. Then, you can remove the screws that are holding the body of the latch in place. After you have removed the latch plate and handle and handle, you can then remove it from its slot on the door frame. Once the latch is detached, you can lubricate the lock with an oil that is light in nature, such as WD40. If https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/patio-door-repairs-cheltenham/ don't have WD40 then a graphite pen can be used to remove any grit and dirt from the mechanism. If your uPVC locks aren't working, you may need to reposition your lock cylinder. This will require additional tools and should be done by a professional. You can practice repositioning a cylinder without having to remove it from the door. Close and open the door while the cylinder is in the lock position. Make pencil marks on the frame where the screws that hold the cylinder in place are. Lubricate the Lock When your lock is free from dirt and debris It's the perfect time to lubricate the keyhole as well as the locks themselves. Using the correct type of lubricant helps keep your lock in top shape, extending its lifespan. Dry graphite is an excellent method to lubricate small metal parts, such as locks. It's non-sticky and oily. It is also more durable than liquids. It's easy to apply, and you can also use it on sliding doors, door hinges and garage door tracks. Master locksmith Shawn Fago recommends using a pencil-type graphite lubricant that is designed specifically for lock cylinders. Liquid lubricants can be more effective than graphite especially in humid climates. Silicone lubricants resist water and will not attract as much dust and dirt as other kinds of liquid lubricants. They are effective in low and high temperatures. Certain silicone lubricants may get accumulated over time and eventually replace other lubricants you've tried. Teflon lubricants can be an excellent alternative to silicone lubricants since they are long-lasting and don't attract dust or dirt. They're also good for colder environments since they'll stop the accumulation of ice within the lock. If your lock's cylinder is extremely stiff and difficult to turn, it's probably damaged and will need to be replaced. A professional locksmith can disassemble the lock mechanism and replace it with a a new cylinder matched to your keys. They can also make repairs and adjustments to existing lock mechanisms. If your door isn't equipped with an cylinder for your lock, a professional can replace it to increase security and security. They can also install new lock faceplates on your patio door to are compatible with the rest of the door. Reposition the Lock Cylinder If cleaning the lock with lubricant and lubricating it doesn't work, the problem may be that the door's latch is not properly aligned with the side jamb or door frame. Open the sliding patio door, and examine the top and bottom of the opening of the latch. If the door is parallel to the frame or jamb then you can test. If not then loosen the screws that hold the latch body and adjust it upwards or downwards until the lock latch catches the latch's hasp with a tight snap when the door is closed. Sometimes, the latch is difficult to close due to a worn-out cylinder. You'll need a replacement cylinder if the worn cylinder is making it difficult to turn the key. It is essential to select a new cylinder that is exactly the same size as the one you have had previously and has the same style keyway, so you can easily replace it by screwing the two halves of the lock to one side and then inserting the new cylinder. There are replacement cylinders available at a variety of home improvement stores. You'll be required to know the name and model of your existing cylinder to be able to purchase one that is compatible with it. If you aren't sure of the model or manufacturer, take a photo of the cylinder and its mounting screws. Then visit your local hardware store to seek assistance. If you have a brand new cylinder, remove the screw with a flat head that holds it in place, and remove the plate that holds it in place. Remove the lock cylinder, escutcheon, and door frame using the screwdriver. Place the screw in a safe place so that you don't lose it or damage it. Then, loosen the set screw that is located on the cylinder keep (the metal piece that fits into the rectangular hole in the door). Replace the Lock A patio door lock that isn't working properly could pose an extremely risk to security. Dirt and debris can get stuck within the lock mechanism. If this is not addressed promptly, the lock will eventually stop working and won't longer offer security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively easy DIY project that requires some tools and a little time. Begin by inspecting the lock to determine what's causing the issue. If lubricating and cleaning don't aid, the latch could be bent too much to perform as it should. In this situation it is recommended to replace the latch with a brand new mortise lock to ensure it's as strong and secure as it can be. Contact a door hardware store or locksmith if you're not sure about undertaking this DIY project. They will have the experience and tools to complete the job correctly and make sure that the new lock will work with your patio door. Keeping your patio door lock in good condition is a matter of regular maintenance. Check that the knobs and handle aren't loose and, if they are tight, tighten them when needed. Lubricate your lock at least once per year to prevent it from sticking or becoming stiff. It is recommended that locks exposed to heavy use or extreme weather conditions should be lubricated more often. It is essential to choose a lubricant that has been specifically designed for locks (WD-40's Specialist Dry PTFE Anti Friction or GT85). Apply the lubricant to the keyhole of the lock mechanism to achieve best results.