The security of your home is dependent on the locks that are installed on your patio door. If they’re not functioning correctly, you could put your family and belongings at risk.
It’s easy to fix patio door lock issues with a few simple steps. This quick fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are an essential security feature. They need to be capable of surviving the elements and keep burglars at bay. However, the wear and tear, hot and cold weather dust, and other elements can cause damage to the door’s frames hinges, hinges, and locking mechanisms. This can eventually, they cease to function as they should. It is essential to be on the lookout and regularly check your sliding doors for damage and make any repairs needed.
Some of the most common problems with patio door locks is difficulties locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck and keys that don’t rotate smoothly. You may have to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws according to the issue you’re experiencing.
If the problem with your patio door lock is that it’s stuck in an open position, you can try using credit card or a screwdriver with a flat-head to get it out. If neither of these solutions are working, you should contact a professional locksmith who will assist you in opening the patio door lock without damaging the frame.
The mortise lock on sliding uPVC patio doors is typically comprised of a handle and a cylinder which secures the lock. The locks are relatively secure, but they can be susceptible to bend or breaking under the weight of a door that has been slammed. It is important to check the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear such as scratches or bends before they break, and you’ll need to replace them.
It’s an excellent idea to know the dimensions and location of the existing lock by taking a picture with your digital camera. You can then give these details to a supplier in the event that you’re looking to purchase a new lock. This will ensure that you’re getting the right lock for your door and is compatible with your current mounting configuration. You’ll have trouble installing the lock that’s not compatible with the hardware you have already. This could cause further complications down the line.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most popular entrance point into the home, and are therefore an ideal target for burglars. Therefore, it is essential that the lock on your patio door is fully functional and conforms to Police & Insurance Standards.
There are some simple things you can do to fix a lock that won’t cooperate. Whether you need to realign the patio door, clean the lock or even replace the lock, these four steps will ensure that your doors are operating correctly and offering the level of security that you expect.
First, you should clean the lock using hot soapy water using a damp cloth. You’ll want to clean away any dirt or stains that may have accumulated on the lock. After this then you can use a dry, clean cloth to remove any excess water and allow the lock to dry completely before attempting to insert it again.
Then, you must lubricate your lock. This is especially important for patio door lock repair near me doors made of uPVC as they can become extremely noisy with the passage of time. Make use of WD40 or petroleum jelly to grease keyways and internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant make sure you wipe your key afterwards to avoid redistributing any grime that might have accumulated on it.
After your uPVC patio doors are cleaned and lubricated, you should then test them. Examine whether the door is moving through the frame with ease. Check that the hinges and the locking point are properly aligned with the frame. You will notice alignment marks along the edge of the door frame. It is easy to fix these by re-aligning your doors with the frame.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that there are various types of uPVC patio door locks that are available, and you may have to replace the lock if the one you have 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 safe. These assemblies consist of three components, including an E2014 mortise lock, an escutcheon and a lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For most patio doors the lock mechanism is located within the door, away from view. If your key cylinder is worn out or you simply want to upgrade your lock to ensure greater security, you can buy a replacement kit from most home improvement stores or locksmiths. These kits cost $10 to $20, and come with an opening tool for the lock and an additional cylinder. Follow the instructions in the kit to disassemble and clean your old lock, then install the new lock. You may need to adjust the cylinder slightly to ensure it is operating properly based on how tightly it fits into the lock hole of the door frame.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is a low-cost and popular alternative to liquid lubricants, which draw dust and clog the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores or model train shops, as well as some office supply stores. If you decide to purchase it, ensure that the graphite chunk is free of any wood particles. You can also buy a commercial graphite lubricant in spray form. The solvent in the spray evaporates when applied, leaving a dry layer of graphite which lubricates the lock.
You can also apply lubrication to your lock by applying several sprays of WD-40 directly into the keyway. The key should be pushed in and out several times to distribute the fluid. After some time, try the key again and see whether it turns easily. If your key remains stuck, try again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
Many homeowners can easily alter their patio door locks however, if your sliding door is equipped with an invisible latch or a deadbolt lock built in the door, the process might be more complicated. If your patio door is equipped with an invisible latch, it will be necessary to remove the decorative interior cover by unscrewing screws that secure it. If your patio door is fitted with a deadbolt, you’ll need to remove the bolt from the edge of the door. After removing the deadbolt and knob assembly, you can install the new lock.
Replace the Lock
It’s not uncommon for patio doors to fail. They are an important security feature for your home. The debris can get stuck inside the mechanism of the lock or it could simply wear out due to the use and age. A damaged patio door latch could pose an extremely dangerous security risk to your home. Regularly checking your patio door locks will keep them in good working order and will allow you to solve any issues that occur.
If you find that lubricating your lock fails to solve the problem, it’s time to replace it. This is a job that most homeowners can do by themselves, but it’s crucial to follow the directions to ensure that the new lock will work with your existing lock. It’s also recommended 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 a emergency patio door repair door lock is to take off the handle. You can do this by unscrewing the screws that hold the handle in place. After the handle is removed, you will be able to access the screws holding 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 not secured. Next, remove the door strike. This will reveal the hole that the lock hook is inserted into when the patio door is closed. Once the door strike is removed, you can install the new one into place.
When re-screwing the door strike, you must be sure to use screws that are longer as they’ll be used to fix the strike to the frame. It is also important to ensure that the new strike is properly aligned with the opening in the door frame and tighten the two together.
There are various types of locks for patio door repairs doors, but the most common is the central rail key-operated lock. They bolt the door into the frame in multiple points, and when the key is inserted, all the points should lock. These locks offer a higher level of security than standard locking systems and can often provide discounts on homeowner’s insurance.