Patio Door Locks Repair

The security of your home is dependent on the locks you have on your patio door. If they're not working correctly, it could compromise the safety of your family and possessions.

A few simple steps can fix patio door lock problems and help keep your home safe. This easy fix is cleaning and lubricating the lock.

Check the Lock

Patio doors are a vital security feature. They need to be capable of surviving the elements and keep burglars out. 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.

Some of the most common problems with patio door locks are difficulty locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck and keys that do not move smoothly. Depending on the specific issue you may have to tighten screws or adjust the lock mechanism in order to get it functioning properly again.

If your patio door lock is stuck in an open position and you cannot open it try using a flat-head or credit card. If none of these methods are working, you should contact a professional locksmith who repairs sliding patio doors can help you open the lock on your patio door without causing damage to the frame.

The mortise lock that is used on sliding uPVC patio door is usually an cylinder and handle which secures the lock. The locks are relatively secure, but they could be susceptible to bend or breaking under the weight of a door that is slammed. You should check the mortise locks and handles for signs of wear such as scratches or bends before they break and you have to replace them.

You can also snap a picture of the lock to determine its dimensions and location. You can then provide these details to a vendor in the event that you're looking to purchase the right lock. This will ensure that you get an appropriate lock that will fit your door and is compatible with the current mounting setup. You'll have trouble installing the lock that's not compatible with the hardware you have already. This could lead to additional problems in the future.

Clean the Lock

Patio doors are a popular entry point into your home and are a frequent target for burglars. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your patio door lock is functional and complies with Police & Insurance Standards.

There are some simple ways to repair a lock that is refusing to 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.

You should first clean the lock using hot soapy water and a damp cloth. You should wipe off any stains or dirt that may have accumulated on the lock. After that you can use dry, clean cloths to get rid of any moisture and let the lock air-dry before you attempt to re-insert.

Next, you should be sure to lubricate your lock. This is particularly important for uPVC doors that tend to become very squeaky over time. You can use a spray lubricant such as WD40 or petroleum jelly to smooth the keyways and internal mechanisms. When applying the lubricant ensure that you clean your key afterward to avoid redistributing any grime that may have accumulated on it.

After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you must test it. Observe whether the door is moving into and out of the frame smoothly. Make sure that the hinges and the locking point are aligned properly with the frame. You can see the alignment marks along the edges of the door frame. You can easily fix 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 that are available and you might need to replace the lock if yours is damaged or broken. If you own E2011 patio doors locks, you'll have to replace them in order to be secure with E2469 and E2487 lock assembly. These assemblies are made up of three parts, including an E2014 mortise lock, escutcheon and a lock hasp.

Lubricate the Lock

The lock mechanism for the majority of patio doors is concealed inside the door. If the key cylinder wears out or you simply want to upgrade the lock to increase security, you can purchase an upgrade kit from many locksmiths or home improvement stores. The kits range from $10 to $20, and come with a tool for opening the lock and an extra key cylinder. Follow the directions in the kit to disassemble and clean the old lock, and then put in the new one. You may need to adjust the cylinder of your key slightly to ensure it is operating properly depending on how tight it fits into the lock hole within the door frame.

If you are looking to lubricate your lock dry graphite powder is an easy and cheap alternative to liquid-based lubricants that can 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 use it, ensure that the dry graphite chunk is free of tiny pieces of wood stuck to it. You can also buy an industrial graphite lubricant that is available in spray form. The solvent in the spray disperses when applied, leaving a dry layer of graphite that 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 across the lock. After a few minutes, test the key once more and see whether it turns effortlessly. If your key remains stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.

Most homeowners can change their patio door locks but if your sliding door has an invisible latch or a deadbolt lock built in the door, the process may be more complicated. If your patio door has an invisible latch, you will need to remove the interior decorative cover by removing the screws holding it in place using a screwdriver. If your patio door comes with deadbolts it is necessary to remove the bolt. After removing both the knob and the deadbolt assembly, you can put in the new lock.

Replace the Lock

It's not uncommon for patio doors to fail. They are an important security feature of your home. There are times when debris can get stuck in the mechanism of the lock, or it could wear out over the course of time. A broken patio door latch can pose a major security risk to your home. A regular inspection of the patio door locks will help ensure they are in good shape and allow you to quickly solve any problems.

If you find that lubricating the lock doesn't fix the problem it's time to replace it. This is an easy task that most homeowners can do themselves, however, it is important to follow the directions to ensure that the new lock is compatible with your existing system. It's also a good idea to take the old lock with you to the store to ensure that a customer support representative can guide you towards the right replacement.

To replace a patio door handle remove the handle. This can be accomplished by removing screws that hold the handle in place. After the handle is removed, you can then remove the screws that secure the lock body to the door jamb.

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 the frame if it is not secured. The next step is to take the door strike from the jamb. This will reveal the hole the lock hook goes into when the patio door is closed. Once the door strike is removed you can screw the new one in place.

It is essential to use screws with longer lengths when replacing a door strike. These will be used to fix it to the frame. You should also check that the new strike is aligned properly with the opening in the door frame and make sure you tighten the two parts.

There are a variety of patio door locks however the most commonly used is a central rail lock that is operated by a key. These locks bolt the doors into the frame at several points and when a key is inserted all of the points should lock at once. These locks offer a higher level of security than standard locking systems and may provide discounts on your homeowner's insurance.