Five Killer Quora Answers To Patio Door Locks Repair
Patio Door Locks Repair
Your home's security depends on the locks on your patio door. If they don't work properly, you put your family's and possessions at risk.
Fortunately, a few easy steps can fix problems with patio door locks and keep your home secure. This quick fix involves cleaning and lubricating the lock.
Check the lock
Patio doors are a vital security feature. They need to be able to withstand the elements and keep burglars at bay. However, regular wear and wear, cold and hot weather, and dust can cause damage to the door's frames, hinges, and locking mechanisms. This can eventually, they cease to function as they ought to. It's best to take a proactive approach in addressing these issues and to regularly inspect your sliding door locks for signs of damage and to make necessary repairs.
Some of the most frequent problems with patio door locks are difficulties locking or unlocking them, a latch that is stuck and keys that don't turn smoothly. You may need to adjust the mechanism of your lock or tighten screws based on the issue you are experiencing.
If your patio door lock is stuck in the open position and you're unable to open it try using a flat-head or credit card. If neither of these solutions are working, you should contact a professional locksmith who will help you open the door lock without damaging the frame.
Sliding uPVC patio doors usually come with a mortise lock which utilizes a handle and cylinder to secure the lock. They are secure, but can bend or break when a open patio door repair service near me door that is slammed. It is important to check 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 an excellent idea to determine the size and position of the current lock by taking a photograph with your digital camera. You can then provide these details to a supplier when you're looking for a new lock. This will ensure you're getting an appropriate lock that will fit your door and is compatible with the current mounting configuration. It will be difficult to install the lock that's not compatible with the hardware you have already. This could result in more complications in the future.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are the most popular point of entry into the home, making them an ideal 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 easy steps you can take to resolve a lock that is refusing to cooperate. Whether you need to realign the patio door or clean the lock, or even replace it, these four basic steps will ensure that your doors are functioning correctly and provide the level of security you'd like to have.
The first thing you should do is give the lock a thorough clean with some hot soapy water and a damp towel. You'll want to clean away any stains or dirt that might have built up on the lock. Once you've done this then you can use a dry cloth to wipe away any excess water and let the lock dry completely before trying to insert it again.
Then, you must make sure that the lock is lubricated. This is particularly important for uPVC patio doors as they can become extremely noisy with age. You can apply a spray lubricant like WD40 or petroleum jelly to smooth the keyways and internal mechanisms. After applying the lubricant to your key, wipe it off to avoid redistributing any dirt that has accumulated.
After cleaning and lubricating your uPVC patio door, you must test it. Observe whether the door is sliding through the frame with ease. Also, ensure that the hinges and locking points are aligned correctly with the frame of the door. You should be able to see the alignment marks on the edge of your door frame, and you can easily correct them by aligning the doors to the frame.
It's also worth noting that there are various types of uPVC patio door locks available and you might need to replace the lock if yours is damaged or broken. For instance, if your have E2011 patio door locks, you'll have to replace them with E2469 or E2487 lock assemblies to be secure. These assemblies consist of three components: an E2014 mortise latch, an escutcheon plates and the lock hasp.
Lubricate the Lock
For the majority of patio doors, the lock mechanism is located within the door, away from view. If your key cylinder is wearing out or you simply want to upgrade your lock to ensure greater security, you can buy an upgrade kit from many locksmiths or home improvement stores. These kits range between $10 and $20 and include a tool to open the lock as well as an extra cylinder. Follow the directions in the kit for disassembling and cleaning your old lock. Then install the new one. Depending on how tight the key cylinder fits in the hole in the lock it may be necessary to adjust it slightly to ensure proper operation.
Dry graphite powder can be used to lubricate locks. It is an inexpensive and popular alternative to liquid lubricants, which can attract dust and gum the mechanism. It is available at hardware stores or model train shops as well as some office supply stores. If you choose to use it, make sure the dry graphite chunk is free of tiny pieces of wood that have stuck to it. You can also buy a commercial graphite lubricant in spray form. When applied, the solvent in the spray evaporates and leaves a layer of dry graphite that locks without attracting dust or accumulating moisture.
You can also grease the lock by spraying WD-40 onto the keyway. You can push your key in and out several times to spread the fluid. After a few moments, turn the key to see if it turns smoothly. If your key remains stuck, try it again a few days after the WD-40 has dried.
The replacement of your patio door locks is a simple task for the majority of homeowners, however the process can be more difficult if you have a sliding door that has an invisible latch and a built-in deadbolt lock. If your patio door repairs near me door is equipped with an invisible latch, it will be required to remove the decorative interior cover by taking off the screws that hold it in place. If your patio door is fitted with deadbolts, it will be required to remove the bolt. Install the new lock after taking out the deadbolt assembly as well as the knob.
Replace the Lock
It's not unusual for patio doors to fail. They are a crucial security feature of your home. There are times when debris can get caught in the mechanism of the lock or it could simply wear out with the use and age. In either case, a damaged patio door latch can pose an immediate security risk to your home. A regular inspection of the patio door locks can keep them in good shape and allow you to quickly fix any problems.
If lubricating your lock does not solve the problem it's time to replace it. This is a task that most homeowners can do themselves, however, it is important to follow the instructions 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 find a replacement.
To replace the handle on a patio door, remove the handle. This can be accomplished by removing screws that secure the handle. After the handle has been 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 that the lock hook fits into when the patio door is closed. After you have removed the old door strike, you can install the new one.
When re-screwing the door strike, you must be sure to use screws that are longer as they will be used to secure the frame to the strike. Also, make sure that the new strike is properly aligned with the opening in the door frame and tighten the two together.
There are a variety of locks for patio doors. The most popular is the central rail key-operated locking system. They bolt the door into the frame at multiple points and, once the key is inserted, all the points must be locked. These locks provide a greater level of security than standard locking systems, and often earn you discounts on homeowner's insurance.