Patio Door Lock Repairs

Over time, patio doors go through wear and tear that can lead to locks that fail. Fortunately, there are several easy and efficient steps that can help restore your uPVC patio door's security.

If it's resetting the lock or cleaning the mechanism for locking these simple fixes will increase the security of your home.

Clean the Lock

Patio doors are great to let the outdoors in while keeping the elements out. However, they can be a security threat if the lock doesn't work correctly. Over time, wear, tear, hot and cold weather dirt, and other debris can cause your patio door lock to become difficult to operate. With a little effort you can ensure that your patio door's lock always functions in a proper manner.

In the beginning, it's crucial to clean your patio door's lock and all its moving parts. This will help flush out any accumulated grime and coatings that could hinder the lock from working as it should. Start by wiping all the moving parts of your patio door lock using a damp cloth. Then you can use a scouring paper or a damp, rough cloth to scrub the areas that are soiled of the door frame and frame. Then wipe the lock with a dry cloth to remove any remaining moisture. Let it air dry before you use it.

If your patio door has pin-tumbler latches, you can lubricate it by applying powdered Graphite on the key. You can also apply a Teflon lubricant like WD-40 Multi-Use Product. This type of lubricant is easy to apply and it doesn't dissolve with time. If you are unable to find a suitable lubricant You might try using a pencil that has an extremely sharp tip. Put the pencil into the lock and jiggle it around a bit to distribute the graphite.

Tracks for sliding glass patio doors repair patio doors require regular maintenance to keep them free of dust, dirt and other debris. These tracks are especially susceptible to ice and snow, which can cause them jam or bind and make it difficult for your patio screen door repair doors to open and close.

The sliding rails of the patio door track and rollers can be cleaned by removing any weather stripping that is damaged or dirty, cleaning them, then installing it. The same can be done to patio door rollers 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, like sliding patio doors repair near me doors, work using 3-4 or occasionally 5-point locking mechanisms that include the handle and lock cylinder controlled by keys. These doors also need maintenance, specifically lubrication on the moving parts. This can be accomplished using an oil that is thin (never WD40) and should be done every year.

If sagging hinges aren't a reason, the door could be skewed and catch or rubbing against the strike plate's hole in the frame. Take off the strike plate and employ a sharp tool to increase the size of its mortise. This will allow the latch to fit properly into the hole, and prevent it from hitting the frame.

When the cylinder is out of the way and out of the way, measure its width using a book or piece of wood that fits into the adjustment screw gap above the lock. The outer dimension is measured from the outside of door to the center cylinder. The inner dimension is measured from the center adjustment screw until the end of the cylinder.

Verify the width of the lock.

If your patio door latch is difficult to turn even after cleaning and lubricating, it's possible that it's out of alignment with the strike plate hole. Make sure that your door is balanced, and if the hinge screws are in good condition. In a lot of instances, moving the strike plate downwards or upwards could solve the issue.

The latch might not work properly when the strike of the lock is not large enough. In this situation you'll have to increase the hole using a chisel or hammer and then test the latch to make sure that it is able to engage the strike plate in a smooth manner without rubbing against or catching on the frame of the door jamb.

You must identify the kind of mortise lock you have before buying the replacement. This can be done by looking at the faceplate and determining if it is round or square. Then, look at the screw holes on the current lock and note the size of each. This will aid you in finding an alternative that is the same width and fits perfectly into your existing hole.

You'll want to identify the mortise lock and examine it for bends, scratches or other damage that requires to be repaired. A damaged or bent latch is more likely to break than one that hasn't been frequently used, so be sure to replace the lock with a brand new, secure version when you spot any indications of wear or damage.

Once you've checked the lock and identified which type of replacement you need then it's time to begin working on the actual repair. Remove the old handle and spindle from your patio door, and then put in the new one. Start by putting in the interior handle by aligning it with the spindle, and then securing it by using the two screws or bolts that secure it. Install the exterior handle following the interior handle. After you've completed these steps check the handles to make sure that they are able to open and close easily and that the latch engages correctly with the strikeplate.

Make sure the door's strike is checked

The door latch and strike plate are the two components of the lock that work together to ensure that the latch is secure the door. If these are misaligned and the latch doesn't latch the door shut correctly. Fortunately, this issue is usually easy to correct.

Check the holes for receiving of the strike plate to make sure they are free of obstructions like dirt or plastic plugs. Then loosen the keeper screws that keep the strike plate in place, allowing it to move vertically, but not removing it from the door frame. Then adjust the strike plate until its holes for receiving align with the latch hooks on the door latch. After the strike plate has been adjusted then tighten the screws and then test the door to determine whether it shuts easily with the new adjustment.

Door strike plates can be a bit difficult to access for homeowners who have sliding glass patio door repair patio doors, however they're essential to lock and unlock your door. These plates are usually located on the top and bottom of the door jamb, where they support the door's latch. Then, the door latch is able to slide into the strike plate to create the seal when it is closed. If the strike plate is damaged, rusted, or not properly installed, it could hinder the latch from locking the door securely.

A misalignment between the latch and strike plate is a common reason for the patio lock to not close or stick. This can be verified using the "lipstick" test. Apply some lipstick on the outside of the deadbolt and then cover it with masking tape. When you close the door, the lipstick will leave marks on the tape that will show you exactly where the latch contacts 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 keep your home safe from burglars. If they're not functioning correctly, you should fix the problem quickly. If you follow these steps, you can fix your patio door's lock and get it back to normal in a matter of minutes.