Patio Door Locks Repair The security of your home is dependent on the locks on your patio door. If they're not working properly, you put your family and possessions at risk. Fortunately, a few simple steps can usually fix problems with patio door locks and keep your home secure. This easy fix is to lubricate and cleaning the lock. Check the Lock Patio doors are an important security feature and must function effectively to keep burglars and elements at away. However, regular wear and tear, cold and hot weather, and dust can affect the door's frames hinges, hinges, and locking mechanisms, and eventually cause them to stop functioning as they ought to. It's important to be proactive and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and then make any repairs that are required. Among the most common problems 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. Depending on the particular issue you're having you may have to tighten screws or adjust the lock mechanism in order to get it working again. If your patio door lock is stuck in the open position and you are unable to open it Try using a flat head or credit card. If these options don't work, you should think about calling a professional locksmith to help you open the lock without causing damage to the frame of the door. Sliding uPVC patio doors are usually fitted with a mortise lock which utilizes a handle and locking cylinder to secure the lock. The locks are safe, but can bend or break in the force of a open patio door that is slammed. You should inspect the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear such as bends or scratches before they break and you need to replace them. It's also a good idea to determine the size and positioning of the existing lock by taking a picture with your digital camera. Then, you can provide these details to a supplier when you're looking for a new lock. This will ensure you get the right lock for your door and is compatible with the current mounting setup. Otherwise, you'll have difficulties trying to install a lock that's not compatible with the hardware you have. This could cause additional problems in the future. Clean the Lock Patio doors are the most frequent entry point into a home and therefore a prime target for burglars. Therefore, it's essential that the locks on your patio doors are functional and conform to Police & Insurance standards. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to handle the lock that is refusing to cooperate. These four steps will allow you to ensure that your patio doors are functioning properly and are providing the security you expect. First, you should clean the lock with hot soapy water using 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 attempting to re-insert it. The next step is to ensure that the lock is properly lubricated. This is particularly crucial for doors made of uPVC that can become extremely squeaky as time passes. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to lubricate keyways as well as internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant to your key, wipe it off to avoid redistributing any dirt that has been accumulated. After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you must test it. Examine whether the door is moving into and out of the frame without a hitch. Make sure that the hinges and locking point are properly aligned with the frame. You will notice alignment marks along the edges of the door frame. You can easily correct the alignment issues by re-aligning your doors to the frame. Lastly, it's worth noting that there are different types of uPVC patio door locks and you might need to replace the lock if yours is damaged or broken. If you have E2011 patio doors locks, you'll have to replace them to be safe by using the E2469 and E2487 lock assembly. The assemblies comprise three parts comprising an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plates and the lock hasp. Lubricate the Lock For the majority of patio doors, the lock mechanism is inside the door, hidden from view. If your key cylinder is wearing out or you wish to upgrade the lock to ensure greater security, you can buy the replacement kit at most locksmiths or home improvement stores. These kits range between $10 and $20 and include a tool for opening the lock, as well as an additional cylinder. Follow the instructions included in the kit to disassemble and clean your old lock, then install the new one. You may need to adjust the cylinder slightly to ensure proper operation depending on how tight it fits in the lock hole within the door frame. If you're looking to lubricate your lock, dry graphite powder is a popular and cheap alternative to liquid lubricants which can attract dust and gum up the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores, model trains shops, and some offices supply stores. If you decide to use it, make sure the graphite chunks are free of wood particles. You can also purchase commercial graphite spray. The solvent in the spray evaporates once applied, leaving a dry layer of graphite to lubricate the lock. You can also grease the lock by spraying WD-40 onto the keyway. Inject your key out several times to spread the lubricant over the lock. After a few minutes, try the key again and check if it turns easily. If https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/patio-door-repairs-corby/ is still stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried. Most homeowners can easily change their patio door locks, but if your sliding door has an invisible latch or a deadbolt lock the door, the process might be more complex. If your patio door is equipped with an invisible latch, it is necessary to take off the decorative interior cover by unscrewing screws that hold it in place. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt, you'll need to remove the bolt from the door's edge. Install the new lock after taking out the deadbolt and knob. Replace the Lock It's not common for patio doors to malfunction. They are an essential security element for your home. Debris can get lodged inside the mechanism of the lock or it can simply wear out due to the passage of time and use. A broken patio door latch can pose a major security risk to your home. Regularly checking your patio door locks will keep them in good working order and let you easily correct any issues that arise. If lubricating your lock does not solve the issue it's time to replace it. The majority of homeowners can complete this task themselves. However, it's essential to 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 you locate the right replacement. The first step in replacing the lock on a patio door is to remove the handle. This can be accomplished by removing screws that hold the handle in place. After the handle is removed, you will be able to remove the screws that hold the lock body in place. Once the screws are removed after which you can lift the latch lever out of the door frame. Make sure you secure the lever using a graphite pencil since it will fall into the frame and become lost if it is not secured. The next step is to take the door strike from the jamb. The hole where the lock hook is when the patio door closes will be revealed. Once the old door strike is removed you can put the new one in place. When re-screwing a door strike, it is important to use screws that are longer as these will be used to attach the frame to the strike. Verify that the new strike is aligned with the opening of the door frame, and then tighten both of them. There are various types of patio door locks The most popular is the central rail key-operated lock. These bolt the doors into the frame at multiple points and when keys are inserted all of the points should lock at once. These locks offer a higher level of security than standard locking systems and may earn you discounts on your homeowner's insurance.