Ten Repair Patio Doors That Really Change Your Life
How to Troubleshoot and repair Patio Doors Patio Door Locks
Keeping your patio doors in good order will help keep your home safe from unwanted intruders. The elements can cause damage or misalignment to the patio doors as well as their locks.
If your patio doors repair door lock does not perform as it should, you can make some basic repairs at home. 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 essential to ensure that your home is safe. There are simple solutions to fix patio door locks which have stopped working.
The first step is to inspect the lock and make sure there is nothing that is hindering it from latching or locking. If you find any issues like loose screws, rust, or an issue with alignment, they should be addressed promptly. In some cases an adjustment of the door's location could be enough to solve the issue.
Debris or dust can cause the lock mechanism to fail to perform as it should. Clean your patio door and clean all lock hardware regularly to avoid this. You can apply a mild detergent solution when needed, but ensure that you dry the lock thoroughly afterward.
In addition, it is an ideal idea to lubricate the lock regularly. The moving parts of your uPVC patio door lock are similar to those of a finely tuned machine, so they can get stuck and jammed just as any other mechanical device. A graphite pencil, or even a small amount of lubricant can be used to clean any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the lock's cylinder. This will ensure that it is running at a high speed.
Identifying the exact dimensions of your patio door lock is important. This will help you find the perfect lock to match your existing mechanism. If you're not sure how to proceed get help, consult a professional tradesperson or locksmith for assistance.
Clean the Lock
The intricate parts of the door lock could jam up over time due to dirt, dust and cold and hot weather. These issues can affect the security of your home. These issues are simple to solve if you know how to do.
Before making any repairs, you must first clean your lock. Using a damp cloth, remove any dirt or stains that might be preventing your lock from functioning properly. Make use of hot soapy water and a little grit to clean the mechanism of your lock. Let your locks dry completely after cleaning them.
The majority of patio doors have mortise locks that is secure, however, it is susceptible to problems in the course of time. If your uPVC locks has become stuck, it is important to clean and lubricate them. Begin by cleaning the latch using hot soapy water. Then, remove the screws that are holding the body of the latch in the position. After you have removed the latch handle and plate then you can take it from its slot on the door frame.
Once the latch is removed, you can lubricate it with a light engineering lubricant like WD40. If you don't own WD40, a graphite pen can be used to remove dirt and grit off the mechanism. If your uPVC lock still doesn't work it is possible to move the lock cylinder. This requires some additional tools tilt and slide patio door repairs is best done by an expert. You can try shifting the cylinder, without taking it from the door by opening and closing the door with the cylinder in the lock position, after which drawing pencil marks on the inside of the frame where the screws are located that keep the cylinder in place.
Lubricate the Lock
After your lock is clean and free of dirt and debris it's time to grease the keyhole as well as the locks themselves. Using the correct type of lubricant will keep your lock in good shape, which will extend its life.
Dry graphite is a great option to lubricate tiny metal parts, like locks. It's non-sticky and oily. It is also longer-lasting than liquids. It's easy to use and can be utilized on sliding patio door repairs near me doors tracks for garage doors and hinges for doors. Master locksmith Shawn Fago suggests using a pencil-like graphite lubricant made specifically for lock-cylinders.
Liquid lubricants are more efficient than graphite powder particularly in humid climates. Silicone lubricants are resistant to water and don't attract dust and dirt as much as other liquid fluids. They are effective at both low and high temperatures. However, certain silicone lubricants could cause accumulation over time and could be displaced by other lubricants that you've used.
Teflon-based lubricants are a good alternative to silicone-based lubricants as they last longer and do not attract dirt and dust. They're also ideal for cold conditions, since they prevent the build-up of ice within the lock.
If your lock's cylinder feels stiff and difficult to turn, it's likely to be worn out. It's time to get it replaced. A professional locksmith will take apart the lock mechanism and install a new cylinder that matches your existing keys. They can also perform repairs and modifications to existing locking mechanisms. If your door isn't equipped with a lock cylinder or faceplate, a professional can install it to improve security and security. They can also install the faceplate of your new lock on your patio door to be in line with the rest of the hardware.
Reposition the Lock Cylinder
If cleaning the lock and lubricating it do not work, the issue could be that the door's latch is not properly aligned with the side jamb or frame of the door. To determine this you need to open the sliding patio door lock repairs door and sight up and down from the latch opening to determine if the door is parallel with the jamb or frame. If not you can loosen the screws that hold the latch body in place and adjust it up or down until the lock latch catches the latch's hasp with a tight snap when the door is closed.
Sometimes, the latch can be difficult to close because of a worn-out cylinder. A worn-out cylinder can make it difficult to turn the key, which is why you'll need an alternate. You should choose a cylinder with the same keyway and size as the previous one. This allows you to replace it with ease by unscrewing the two halves and inserting the new cylinder.
You can purchase replacement cylinders at a variety of home improvement stores. You'll need the manufacturer and model number of your current cylindrical to purchase the replacement. If you don't have the manufacturer or model number then take a photo of the cylinder along with its mounting screws and head to a hardware store to get assistance.
When you have a new cylinder, remove the flat screw that holds it in place and remove the escutcheon plate. Make use of a screwdriver to remove the lock cylinder and the escutcheon plate from the door and the door frame. Put the screw somewhere safe so you aren't able to lose it. Then loosen the set screw on the cylinder's keep (the metal part that fits into the rectangular cutout of the door) and loosen it enough to rotate the cylinder.
Replace the Lock
A patio door lock that isn't working properly can cause serious danger to your security. Dirt and debris could become stuck within the lock mechanism. If this is not taken care of promptly, the lock will eventually stop working and no longer provide security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively simple DIY project that requires just a few tools and little time.
Begin by inspecting the lock to determine what's causing the problem. If cleaning and lubrication do not help, the latch may be bent too much to function properly. In this instance it is recommended to replace the latch with a new mortise lock so that it is as secure and strong as possible.
If you're not confident in tackling this DIY project yourself contact an expert locksmith or door hardware specialist to assist you in the installation of the new lock. They will have the experience and tools to complete the task properly and ensure that the new lock works with your patio door.
Maintaining your patio door lock in good condition is an essential part of routine maintenance. Check that the knobs and handles are not loose and tighten them if needed. Lubricate the lock at least once per year to prevent it from squeezing or becoming stiff. Locks that are exposed to extreme use or temperatures should be lubricated regularly. The type of lubricant you use is crucial, so make sure to choose one that's specifically designed to be used on locks (GT85 or WD-40's Specialist Anti Friction Dry PTFE). To get the best results apply the lubricant direct onto the key hole of the lock mechanism.