10 Simple Steps To Start Your Own Repair Patio Door Business
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks
Keep your patio doors in good working condition to protect your home against unwanted intruders. However, the elements can cause the doors and locks to be damaged or misaligned.
You can repair your patio door lock by yourself when it's not working properly. These steps will fix issues with the latch, keyway, and handle.
Check the lock
Patio doors are often targeted by burglars because of their large amounts of glass and convenient place within a house. It is crucial that your locks work correctly to keep your home safe. Fortunately, there are simple ways to troubleshoot and fix patio door locks that aren't working correctly.
The first step is to examine the lock to ensure nothing hinders it from locking or latching. It is important to address any issues you find like loose screws or corrosion. In some cases, a small adjustment to the location of the patio door might suffice to resolve the problem.
Dust or debris could cause the lock mechanism to fail to function properly. To avoid this happening, make sure to clean your patio door frequently and wipe down the lock hardware. If you need to, use mild soap. However, you must be sure that the lock is dried completely afterward.
In addition, it's a good idea to lubricate the lock regularly. The moving parts in your uPVC patio lock are comparable to those used in a precision-tuned machine. They can jam or get stuck just like any other mechanical device. Using a graphite pencil or a light lubricant will help remove any dirt or debris that has collected inside the lock cylinder and keep it operating smoothly.
It is crucial to know the exact dimensions of the patio door lock. This will help you find a lock that perfectly matches your existing mechanism. If you're not sure how to go about this, it's advisable to talk to an expert tradesperson or locksmith for help.
Clean the Lock
Over time, hot and cold weather, dust, and dirt can cause the intricate parts of the door lock to become blocked. These problems can compromise your home's security. However, it's not difficult to fix these problems If you know how.
Before you attempt any repairs, first clean your lock. Clean up any stains or debris with a damp cloth. Then, use a small amount of hot soapy water to clean the lock mechanism and remove any grime or grit that has built up over time. After you've cleaned your locks, let them dry completely before using them again.
Most patio doors are fitted with mortise locks that is safe but can be prone to issues with time. If you're uPVC locks has become stuck, it is important to clean and lubricate them. For the uPVC lock, you can start by cleaning the latch plate with a little of soapy water. Then, you can remove the screws that hold the body of the latch in the position. After removing the latch plate and handle then you can take it from its slot on the door frame.
Once the latch is 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 eliminate dirt and grit from the mechanism. If your uPVC locks are still not working, you may need to reposition lock cylinder. This requires additional tools and should be done by a professional. You can try moving the cylinder around without removing it from the door by opening and closing the door while keeping the cylinder in the lock position, after which drawing pencil marks on the inside of the frame where the screws hold the cylinder in place.
Lubricate the Lock
When your lock is free of debris and dirt, it's a good time to lubricate the keyhole and locks themselves. Using the right kind of lubricant helps keep your lock in top condition, and extends its life.
Dry graphite powder is great for lubricating small metal parts such as locks, because it's not oily or sticky and lasts for longer than liquid greases. It's simple to use and can be utilized on sliding doors tracks for garage doors, and hinges for doors. Master locksmith Shawn Fago recommends using a pencil-like graphite lubricant specifically designed for lock cylinders.
Liquid lubricants may be more effective than graphite powder particularly in humid climates. Silicone lubricants are resistant to water and won't attract as much dust or dirt as other kinds of liquid fluids. They work well at high and low temperatures. Certain silicone lubricants may get accumulated over time, and displace other lubricants you've used.
Teflon Lubricants are a good alternative to silicone lubricants since they are long-lasting and do not attract dirt or dust. They're also suitable for cold environments because they can help keep ice from accumulating inside the lock.
If your lock's cylinder feels stiff and difficult to turn, then it's likely to be worn out. It's going to need to be replaced. A professional locksmith will take apart the lock mechanism and put in an entirely new cylinder that is compatible with the keys you have. They can also perform repairs and adjustments to existing lock mechanisms. If your door doesn't have an cylinder for your lock 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 are in keeping with the rest.
Reposition the Lock Cylinder
If cleaning and lubricating the door does not work, the issue could be that the latch on the door isn't aligned correctly with the frame or jamb. To test this, open the sliding patio door and sight up and down from the opening of the latch to determine if the door is parallel to the frame or jamb. If not then loosen the screws that hold the latch in place and adjust it up or down until the latch catches the latch hasp tightly when the door is closed.
The latch is also sometimes difficult to close as the cylinder has worn out. A worn cylinder makes it hard to turn the key, so you'll require an alternate. It is essential to select an alternative cylinder that is similar in size to the previous one and has the same keyway, which means you can easily replace it by simply screwing the two halves of the lock to one side and inserting the new cylinder.
Many home improvement stores stock replacement cylinders. You'll need the brand and model number of your current cylinder to buy a replacement. If you don't have the model or manufacturer then take a photo of the cylinder as well as its mounting screws and go to the hardware store for help.
Once you have the new cylinder in place, unscrew it from the screw that holds it in place. Remove the escutcheon. Use a screwdriver for the removal of the lock cylinder and escutcheon plate from the door and the door frame. Put the screw in a secure place so you don't loose or damage it. Then, loosen the set screw on the cylinder's keep (the metal part that fits into the rectangular cutout in the door) and let it loose enough to turn the cylinder.
Replace the Lock
A patio door lock that isn't functioning properly could pose a serious security risk. It's not uncommon for dirt and debris to get lodged inside the lock's mechanisms however if the issue isn't dealt with quickly enough the lock could eventually fail and stop providing security. It's a simple DIY task to change the patio door lock. double glazed patio door repairs www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk 'll only need the tools you need and some time.
Start by examining the lock to see what is causing the problem. If cleaning and lubrication do not help, the latch could be bent too much to work properly. In this situation, it would be best to replace the latch with a new mortise lock so that it's as sturdy and secure as it can be.
If you're not confident in tackling this DIY project yourself seek out an expert locksmith or door hardware expert to help you with the installation of the new lock. They'll have all the tools and expertise needed to install the lock correctly.
Maintaining your patio door lock in good condition is a matter of routine maintenance. Verify that the knobs and handles are not loose and tighten them if necessary. Lubricate your lock at least every year to prevent it from sticking or becoming stiff. Locks that are subjected to extreme use or temperatures should be lubricated regularly. The type of lubricant you use is crucial, so make sure to select one that's specifically designed for use on locks (GT85 or WD-40's Specialist Friction Dry PTFE). Apply the lubricant to keyhole of the lock mechanism for the best results.
