The Most Common Repair Patio Door Mistake Every Newbie Makes
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks
Keep your patio doors in a good condition to guard your home from intruders. However, the elements may cause the doors and their locks to become misaligned or damaged.
You can repair your patio door lock on your own if it is not working properly. These steps will resolve issues with the handle, keyway, and latch.
Check the Lock
Patio doors are often targeted by burglars because of their huge glass size and their convenient position within a home. Having well-functioning locks is therefore crucial to ensure your home is safe. There are easy ways to repair patio door locks that have stopped working.
The first step is to examine the lock to see if anything is preventing it from locking or latching. It is important to deal with any issues you spot like loose screws or corrosion. In some instances, a small adjustment to the direction of the patio door could suffice to solve the issue.
Another common issue is debris or dust which can cause the lock mechanism to stop functioning properly. To prevent this from occurring, be sure to clean your patio door frequently and clean the lock hardware. If needed, you can use mild soap. However, you must be sure that you dry the lock completely afterward.
In addition, it is recommended to oil the lock regularly. The moving parts of your uPVC patio door lock are like those of a fine-tuned machine, so they can be jammed and stuck just as any other mechanical device. Using patio doors repairs or a light lubricant can help remove any dirt or debris that has accumulated inside the lock cylinder and help keep it running smoothly.
Knowing the exact dimensions of your patio door lock is also important. This will help you find the perfect lock to match the existing mechanism. If you're not sure how to go about this, it's advisable to contact an expert tradesperson or locksmith to get help.
Clean the Lock
The intricate parts of the door lock may become jammed because of dirt, dust, and hot and cold weather. These problems can compromise the security of your home. These issues are easy to solve if you know what to do.
Before making any repairs, clean your lock. With a damp cloth, remove any dirt or stains that might be hindering your lock from working correctly. Then, use a little hot soapy water to clean the mechanism of the lock and get rid of any dirt or grime that has built up over time. After you've cleaned your locks, let them dry completely before re-using them.
Most patio doors are fitted with a mortise lock, which is secure but can be prone to issues in the course of time. If your uPVC lock is stuck, the first step is to clean and lubricate it. For an uPVC lock you can begin by cleaning the latch plate with a bit of soapy water. The next step is to loosen the screws that hold the latch body in place. After removing the latch plate and handle, 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 with an oil that is light in nature, such as WD40. If you don't own WD40, you can also try using graphite pencils to help remove any dirt or grit in the mechanism. If your uPVC locks still don't work you may have to relocate the your lock cylinder. This will require additional tools and should be handled by an expert. However, you can practice repositioning the cylinder without removing it from the door by opening and closing the door while keeping the cylinder in the lock position, then making 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 debris it's time to lubricate both the keyhole and the locks themselves. A good lubricant will keep your lock in good condition and prolong its life.
Dry graphite is an excellent option to lubricate tiny 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 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 are more effective than graphite, especially in humid climates. Silicone lubricants are water resistant and won't attract as much dust or dirt as other kinds of liquid lubricants. They are suitable for both low and high temperatures. Certain silicone lubricants may build up over time, and 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 good for colder environments since they can help keep ice from accumulating inside the lock.
If your lock's cylinder seems extremely stiff and difficult to turn, it's damaged and will need to be replaced. A professional locksmith will dismantle the lock mechanism, and then install an entirely new cylinder that is compatible with your existing keys. They can also repair and modify existing locking mechanisms. If your door doesn't have an cylinder for your lock, a professional can replace it to increase security and safety. They can also install an entirely new faceplate for your lock on your patio door to be in line with the rest of the hardware.
Reposition the Lock Cylinder
If cleaning it and lubricating it do not work, then the issue could be that the latch on the door is not aligned correctly with the frame or jamb. Open the sliding patio door, and look up and down at the latch opening. If the door is aligned with the jamb or the frame and you are able to check, then it is. If not, loosen the screws that hold the latch body and adjust it either upwards or downwards until the lock latch is securely catching the latch's hasp when the door closes.
Sometimes the latch isn't closing properly because of a worn-out cylinder. A worn-out cylinder makes it difficult to turn the key, so you'll require an alternate. It is essential to select an alternative cylinder that is the same size as the old one and has the same style keyway, so that you can easily replace it by removing the two halves of the lock apart and then inserting the new one.
There are replacement cylinders available at many home improvement stores. You'll be required to know the name and model of the existing cylinder in order to buy one that matches it. If you don't have the model or manufacturer, take a picture of the cylinder along with its mounting screws and go to an 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. Remove the lock cylinder, the escutcheon and door frame using a screwdriver. Place the screw in a safe place so that you don't lose it or damage it. Then, loosen the set screw on the cylinder's keep (the metal part that fits into the rectangular cutout of the door) and then loosen it enough to turn the cylinder.
Replace the Lock
A patio door lock that isn't functioning properly could pose an extremely risk to security. It's not common for dirt and other debris to get lodged inside the lock's mechanisms however if the issue isn't dealt with quickly enough the lock will eventually fail and cease to provide security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively simple DIY project that requires only a few tools and a bit of time.
Start by examining the lock to see what is causing the problem. If cleaning and lubrication do not aid, the latch may be bent too much to work properly. If this is the case, you should replace the lock latch with mortise locking systems to ensure that it's as strong and secure as it can be.
If you're not comfortable with this DIY project on your own seek out an expert locksmith or door hardware expert to assist you in the installation of a new lock. They will have the experience and tools to complete the task correctly and make sure that the new lock will work with your patio door.
Keeping your patio door lock in good condition is a matter of routine maintenance. Make sure that the handle and knobs aren't loose, and if they are tighten them as required. Lubricate the lock at least every year to avoid it from squeezing or becoming stiff. It is recommended that locks that are subject to heavy use or extreme weather should be lubricated more often. It is crucial to select a lubricant which has been specifically created for locks (WD-40's Specialist Dry PTFE Anti Friction or GT85). To get the best results, apply the lubricant directly to the key hole of the lock mechanism.