10 Places To Find Repair Patio Door
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks
Maintaining your patio doors in good order will help keep your home safe from unwanted intruders. However, the elements may cause the doors and their locks to become damaged or misaligned.
If your patio door lock does not perform as it should You can make basic repairs at home. These steps will fix problems with the handle, keyway, and latch.
Check the Lock
repairing patio doors doors are often targeted by burglars due to their huge amount of glass and convenient position within a house. It is important that your locks work properly to keep your home safe. There are a few easy ways to Repair Patio Door Lock patio door locks that have stopped functioning.
The first step is to check the lock to ensure nothing is preventing it from locking or latching. If you notice any issues such as loose screws, rust, or misalignment, these should be addressed immediately. In some cases an adjustment of the patio door's position may be sufficient to fix the issue.
Another issue that is common is dust or debris that can cause the lock mechanism to not function properly. Clean your patio door repair company near me door and wipe down all hardware of the lock regularly to prevent this. If you need to, apply mild soap. However, you must be sure that the lock is dried completely afterward.
Additionally, it's a good idea to lubricate the lock on a regular basis. The moving parts inside your uPVC patio lock are similar to those used in a machine that is finely tuned. They are susceptible to jamming and become stuck like any mechanical device. Using a graphite pencil or a light lubricant can help to dislodge any dirt or debris that has accumulated in the lock's cylinder, and keep it operating smoothly.
The exact dimensions of the patio door lock is also crucial. This can help you choose an alternative lock that is compatible perfectly with the existing mechanism. If you're unsure of how to do it you can contact an expert locksmith or tradesperson to get help.
Clean the Lock
The intricate parts of the door lock can become jammed due to dust, dirt, and hot and cold weather. These issues can affect your home's security. These issues are easy to solve if you know what to do.
Before making any repairs, clean your lock. Using a damp cloth, clean any dirt or stains that might be hindering your lock from functioning properly. Use soapy water with hot water and a small amount of grit to clean the mechanism of your lock. Dry your locks completely after cleaning them.
The majority of patio doors have mortise locks that is safe but is susceptible to issues in the course of time. If you find that your uPVC locks have become stuck, you should first clean and lubricate them. Begin by cleaning the latch with hot soapy water. The next step is to unfasten the screws that hold the latch body in the position. After you have removed the latch plate and handle, you can remove it from its slot on the door frame.
Once the latch has been removed then you can lubricate it by using a lubricant for engineering like WD40. If you don't own WD40, a graphite pen can be used to clean any grit and dirt from the mechanism. If your uPVC locks still don't work you may need to reposition locks cylinders. This requires some additional tools and should be done by an expert. You can practice repositioning a cylinder without having to remove it from the door. Open and close the door while the cylinder is in the lock position. Then, draw pencil marks on the frame where the screws holding the locking cylinder are located.
Lubricate the Lock
After your lock is clean and free of dirt and debris it's time for lubrication of the keyhole and the locks themselves. Using the right type of lubricant helps keep your lock in good condition, and extends its life.
Dry graphite is an excellent way to lubricate small metal parts, like locks. It's oil-free and non-sticky. It is also more durable than liquids. It's easy to apply, and you can also apply it to sliding doors, door hinges and garage door tracks. Master locksmith Shawn Fago suggests using a pencil-like graphite lubricant that is designed specifically for lock-cylinders.
Liquid lubricants can be more effective than graphite especially in humid climates. Silicone lubricants are water resistant and won't attract as much dust and dirt as other types of liquid fluids. They are efficient at high and low temperatures. Some silicone lubricants can build up over time, and can displace other lubricants that you've used.
Teflon Lubricants are a good substitute for silicone lubricants, because they last longer and don't attract dust or dirt. They're also excellent for cold conditions, since they can help prevent ice accumulation inside the lock.
If the lock cylinder you have is stiff and difficult to turn, it is probably worn out. It will need to replaced. A professional locksmith will take apart the lock mechanism, and then install the cylinder of a new model that matches your existing keys. They can also make repairs and adjustments to existing lock mechanisms. If your door does not have a lock cylinder or faceplate, a professional can install it to increase security and safety. They can also install new faceplates for your lock on your patio door that match the rest of the door.
Reposition the Lock Cylinder
If cleaning the lock with lubricant and lubricating it doesn't perform, the issue could be that the door latch is not properly aligned with the side jamb or the frame of the door. Open the sliding patio door repairs patio door, and look up and down at the opening of the latch. If the door is parallel to the frame or jamb and you are able to check, then it is. If not you can loosen the screws that hold the latch body and adjust it up or down until the latch is able to catch the latch's hasp with a tight snap when the door is closed.
Sometimes, the latch can be difficult to close due to a worn-out cylinder. You'll need a replacement for the cylinder when the worn one is making it difficult to turn the key. It is important to choose the new cylinder that's similar in size to the previous one and has the same keyway, so that you can easily replace it by screwing the two halves of the lock apart and then inserting the new cylinder.
You can purchase replacement cylinders at many home improvement stores. You'll need to know the brand and model of your existing cylinder so you can buy one that is compatible with it. If you don't have the model or manufacturer number then take a photo of the cylinder as well as its mounting screws and head to the hardware store for help.
Once you have a new cylinder, loosen the screw with a flat head that holds it in place and remove the plate that holds it in place. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the lock cylinder and escutcheon plate from the door and door frame. Set the screw somewhere secure so you don't lose it. Then loosen the set screw on the cylinder's keep (the metal part that fits into the rectangular cutout inside the door) and loosen it enough to allow the cylinder to rotate.
Replace the Lock
A patio door lock repairs door lock that's not functioning properly can be an extremely risk to security. It's not common for dirt and other debris to become lodged in the lock mechanism however if the issue isn't addressed promptly the lock will eventually break down and stop providing security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively simple DIY project that requires a few tools and little time.
Begin by examining the lock to determine what's causing the issue. If cleaning and lubricating the latch fails the latch could be bent to far to work properly. If this is the case, replace the latch using mortise locking systems to ensure that it's as strong and secure as possible.
If you aren't comfortable tackling this DIY project on your own seek out a locksmith or door hardware expert to assist you with the installation of the new lock. They will have the experience and tools to do it correctly and make sure that the new lock works with your patio door.
Routine maintenance is the key to ensure that your patio door lock operating correctly. Make sure that the knobs and handles aren't loose and, if they are, tighten them as needed. Lubricate your lock at least every year to avoid it getting stuck or becoming stiff. Locks that are exposed to extreme use or temperatures should be lubricated regularly. It is essential to use a lubricant that has been specifically made for locks (WD-40's Specialist Dry PTFE Anti Friction or GT85). Apply the lubricant to keyhole of the lock mechanism for the best results.