12 Companies Are Leading The Way In Patio Door Lock Repair
Patio Door Lock Repairs
Over time, patio doors go through wear and tear that can lead to lock malfunctions. There are fortunately, a number of simple and effective methods that can restore your uPVC patio door's security.
It's about realigning the lock or cleaning the mechanism that locks these simple fixes will increase the security of your home.
Clean the Lock
Patio doors are fantastic for bringing the outdoors inside and keeping out the elements. However, they can be risky for security if the lock doesn't work correctly. With time, wear and tear, cold and hot weather, dirt, and debris can cause your patio door lock to become difficult to operate. With some minor maintenance, you can ensure your patio door's locks will always work effectively.
It's important to clean your patio door's lock and all of its moving parts. This will help to remove any dirt or coatings that could be preventing the lock from working correctly. Begin by wiping down all the moving parts on your patio door lock with an aqueous cloth. Then apply a scouring pad or rough damp cloth to scrub the areas that are soiled of the door and frame. Then, wipe the entire lock using dry cloths to eliminate any remaining dampness and allow it to air dry before using it again.
If your patio door uses a pin-tumbler latch, you can apply powdered Graphite on the key. You can also use a Teflon lubricant like WD-40 Multi-Use Product. This type of lubricant can be easy to apply and it won't disintegrate as time passes. If you're unable find the correct lubricant for your lock, you can use a pencil with larger tip. Insert the pencil into the lock and jiggle it around a bit to distribute the graphite.
Regular maintenance is also necessary to keep the tracks of sliding patio doors free from dirt, dust and debris. These tracks can be especially susceptible to ice and snow which can cause them be stuck or jammed, making it harder for your patio doors to open and close.
You can clean the track rails and rollers on sliding patio doors by removing any weather stripping that is dirty or damaged. Clean it, and then replace it. The same can be done for rollers on patio doors, which can be wiped down and then sprayed with a non-stick lubricant that will allow them to move freely.
Lubricate the Moving Parts
uPVC french doors, which are similar to sliding patio doors, work using 3-4 or occasionally five-point locking mechanisms, which include the lock cylinder and handle controlled by the key. These doors also need maintenance, specifically lubrication on the moving parts. This can be accomplished with a thin oil, but never WD40. This should be done at least once a year.
If hinges that are sagging aren't the cause, the door may be skewed and catch or hitting the strike plate hole in the frame. The solution is to take off the strike plate and use an abrasive chisel to increase the size of the mortise that it rests in. This will permit the latch to fit properly into the hole, and stop it from hitting the frame.
While the cylinder is out of the way and out of the way, measure its width using the help of a book or piece wood that will fit in the adjustment screw gap above the lock. The outer dimension is the distance from the outside of the door to the center of the cylinder, while the inner dimension runs from the center of the adjustment screw to the end of the cylinder.
Check the width of the lock.
If your patio door latch isn't able to turn even after cleaning and lubricating, there's a possibility that it is out of alignment with the strike plate hole. Check to see if the door is properly balanced and if the hinge screws are tight however, in many instances it is possible to move the strike plate up or down can fix the issue.
The most common issue is when the lock's strike is too small for the latch to properly engage. In this instance you'll have to increase the opening using the hammer or chisel and then test the latch to make sure that it is able to engage the strike plate smoothly without rubbing against or landing on the frame of the door jamb.
You must identify the kind of mortise lock you currently have before purchasing the replacement. This can be done by looking at the end faceplate and determining if it is round or square. Look at each screw hole on the existing lock, and note their size. This information will help you find an alternative lock that is of the same size and is a perfect fit for your existing hole.
In addition to identifying the mortise lock that is currently in use, you should also examine it for any scratches or bends that may need repairing. A bent or damaged latch is more likely break than one that's not used much, so be sure to replace the lock with a new, secure version if you find any signs of wear or damage.
Once you've inspected the lock and identified which type of replacement you'll need, it's time to start working on the actual repair. The spindle and handle must be removed from the patio door. Introduce the new handle. Start by putting in the handle in the interior and aligning it with the spindle, and then securing it in place with the two bolts or screws that secure it. Install the exterior handle following the interior handle. After you've completed these steps, you can test the new handles to ensure that they are able to open and close with ease and that the latch locks correctly when you strike the plate.
Check the Strike of the Door.
The door latch and strike plate are the two components of the lock that work to ensure the latch secures the door. An incorrectly aligned strike plate and door latches can result in the latch not being able to latch the door in a proper manner. This issue is usually simple to repair.
Examine the holes that receive the strike plate to make sure they are free of obstructions such as dirt or plastic plugs. Then loosen
patio door tune-up that secure the strike plate in place and allow it to move vertically, but not removing it from the frame of your door. Adjust the strike plate so that it aligns its holes for receiving with latch hooks of the door latch. After the strike plate has been adjusted then tighten the screws and test the door to determine whether it shuts easily with the new adjustment.
These plates are difficult to reach for homeowners who have sliding patio doors. However, they are essential to lock and unlock your door. These plates are usually placed on the top and bottom of the door jamb which is where they are used to support the door's latch. The door latch slides into the strike plate and forms an airtight seal. If the strike plate is damaged, rusted, or is not installed correctly, the latch may not lock the door properly.
One of the most common reasons for the patio door lock to not close or not close is a misalignment between the latch and strike plate. This can be confirmed using the "lipstick" test. Rub some lipstick across the edge of the deadbolt and then cover it with masking tape. When you shut the door, the lipstick will leave an impression on the tape that will show you exactly where the latch meets the strike plate. If the mark is too low or high it is possible to alter the strike plate.
Locks for sliding patio doors help protect your home from burglars. If they're not working correctly, you should fix the problem quickly. By following these simple steps, you'll be able to fix the lock on your patio door and get it back to normal in no time.