Five Reasons To Join An Online Repair Patio Door Shop And 5 Reasons You Shouldn't
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Keeping your patio doors in good order will help protect your home from unwanted intruders. However, the elements could cause the doors and their locks to become damaged or misaligned. You can repair your patio door lock on your own when it's not working properly. These steps will fix issues with the latch, keyway, and handle. Inspect the Lock Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars because of their huge glass size and their central location within a home. It is crucial that your locks are working properly to keep your home secure. There are easy methods to troubleshoot or fix patio door locks that aren't working correctly. The first step is to check the lock to see if anything is hindering it from latching or locking. If you find any issues, such as loose screws or rust, or misalignment, these should be addressed immediately. In some instances, a slight adjustment to the position of the patio door could suffice to resolve the issue. Another common issue is debris or dust that could cause the lock mechanism to stop functioning properly. Clean your patio door and clean all hardware of the lock regularly to prevent this. You can use a mild detergent solution in the event of need, but ensure that you dry the lock completely afterward. It is also a good idea to to regularly oil your lock. A lot of the moving parts of your uPVC patio door lock are like the parts of a fine-tuned machine, and they could be jammed and stuck just as any other mechanical device. A graphite pencil, or a tiny amount of lubricant can be used to get rid of any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the lock cylinder. This will ensure that it is running smoothly. It is important to know the exact dimensions of the patio door lock. This will help you locate an alternative lock that is compatible perfectly with the current mechanism. If you're not sure how to accomplish this, it's best to talk to an expert tradesperson or locksmith to get help. Clean sliding patio door repairs near me of the door lock may jam up over time because of dirt, dust and cold and hot weather. These issues can compromise your home security. These issues are easy to solve if you know what to do. Clean your lock before attempting any repairs. Clean any stains and debris with a moist cloth. Then, use a small amount of hot soapy water to wash the mechanism of your lock and wash away any grit or grime that has built up over time. After you've cleaned your locks, allow them to dry completely before re-using them. The majority of patio doors are secured with mortise locking mechanisms. This is a secure lock but can develop problems with time. If you find that your uPVC locks are stuck, you must first clean and lubricate them. Start by cleaning the latch with hot soapy water. The next step is to unfasten the screws that secure the latch body in the position. After removing the latch handle and plate, you can remove it from its slot on the door frame. Once the latch is removed and the latch is lubricated, you can apply lubrication to the lock using a light engineering oil like WD40. If you don't own WD40 or a graphite pencil, a graphite pens can be used to eliminate dirt and grit off the mechanism. If your uPVC locks are still not working, you may have to relocate the locks cylinders. This requires additional tools and is best done by a professional. You can try moving the cylinder around without removing it from the door by closing and opening the door while keeping the cylinder in the lock position, after which drawing pencil marks on the inside of the frame where the screws are that keep the cylinder in place. Lubricate the Lock Once your lock is clean and free of dirt and other debris, it's time to lubricate both the keyhole and the locks themselves. Using the right kind of lubricant will keep your lock in top 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 also lasts longer than liquids. It's easy to apply, and you can also use it on sliding doors, door hinges and garage door tracks. Master locksmith Shawn Fago recommends using a pencil-like graphite lubricant designed specifically for lock cylinders. Liquid lubricants can be more effective than graphite powder particularly in humid climates. Silicone lubricants resist water and do not attract dirt and dust as much as other liquid fluids. They work well at low and high temperatures. However, some silicone lubricants can cause accumulation over time and could displace other lubricants you've used. Teflon Lubricants are an excellent substitute for silicone lubricants, as they are long-lasting and don't attract dirt or dust. They're also ideal for cold conditions, since they can help prevent ice accumulation inside the lock. If your lock's cylinder feels stiff and difficult to turn, then it is probably worn out. It will need to replaced. A professional locksmith will remove the lock mechanism and install an entirely new cylinder that is compatible with your current keys. They can also perform repairs and modifications to existing locking mechanisms. A professional can install a new lock cylinder in case your door does not have one. This will increase safety and security. They can also install a new lock faceplate on your patio door to be in line with the rest of the hardware. 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. To check this you need to open the sliding patio door, and look up and down from the door's opening to see whether the door is aligned with the jamb or frame. If not you can loosen the screws that hold the latch body and adjust it up or down until the latch catches the latch tightly when the door is shut. The latch is also sometimes difficult to close because the cylinder is worn out. A worn-out cylinder makes it difficult to turn the key, which is why you'll need to get an alternate. You should choose a cylinder with the same keyway and size as the one you had previously. This will allow you to change it quickly by removing the two halves and inserting the replacement cylinder. Many home improvement stores carry replacement cylinders. You'll need the brand and model number of your current cylindrical to purchase the replacement. If you don't have the manufacturer or model number, take a picture of the cylinder and its mounting screws, and then go to an hardware store for help. Once you have the new cylinder in place, unscrew it from the flat screw holding it in place. Take off the escutcheon. Use a screwdriver for the removal of the lock cylinder and the escutcheon plate from the door as well as the door frame. Put the screw in a safe place so that you don't lose it or damage it. Then, loosen enough the set screw on the cylinder keep (the metal piece that fits into the rectangular hole of the door). Replace the Lock A patio door lock that's not functioning properly could pose 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 quickly enough the lock could eventually fail and stop providing security. Replacing the patio door lock is a simple DIY project that requires a few tools and small amount of time. Begin by examining the lock to determine what is causing the problem. If cleaning and lubricating the lock latch does not work the latch could be bent too far to perform as it should. In this instance, it would be best to replace the latch with a new mortise lock so that it's as sturdy and secure as possible. If you're not comfortable with this DIY project yourself contact a locksmith or door hardware specialist to assist you with the installation of a new lock. They'll have the knowledge and tools to do it correctly and make sure that the new lock is compatible with your patio door. Routine maintenance is the key to ensure that your patio door lock functioning correctly. Check that the knobs and handles aren't loose and tighten them as needed. Lubricate the lock at least once a year to prevent it from becoming stuck or stiff. It is recommended that locks that are subject to heavy use or extreme weather should be lubricated more often. The type of lubricant is crucial, so make certain to select one specifically designed for use on locks (GT85 or WD-40's Specialist Friction Dry PTFE). Apply the lubricant to the keyhole of the lock mechanism for the best results.