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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Maintaining your patio doors in good in good condition will protect your home from intruders who aren't yours. just click the up coming web site can cause damage or misalignment to the patio doors as well as their locks. You can fix your patio door lock on your own if it is not working correctly. These steps will fix issues with the latch, keyway and handle. Inspect the Lock Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars due to their large amounts of glass and convenient location within a home. Having well-functioning locks is therefore crucial to ensure your home is secure. There are easy methods to fix patio door locks which have stopped working. First, inspect the lock and make sure there is nothing blocking it from locking or latching. If you notice any issues such as loose screws or rust, or an issue with alignment, they should be addressed promptly. In some cases the slightest adjustment to the direction of the patio door might suffice to resolve the problem. Debris or dust can cause the lock mechanism to fail to function properly. Clean your patio door and clean all lock hardware regularly to prevent this. If you need to, apply a mild soap solution. However, you must be sure that you dry the lock completely afterward. It is also a good idea to lubricate your lock regularly. A lot of the moving parts of your uPVC patio door lock are like those of a finely tuned machine, so they can get stuck and jammed 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 functioning smoothly. It is important to know the exact dimensions of the patio door lock. This will allow you to find the perfect lock to match your existing mechanism. If you're unsure of how to proceed you can contact an expert locksmith or tradesperson for assistance. Clean the Lock Over time, cold and hot weather dust, dirt, and even dust can cause the intricate components of your door lock to become stuck. These issues could compromise your security at home. But it's simple to fix these issues If you know how. Clean your lock prior to attempting any repairs. Clean up any stains or debris with a moist cloth. Then, use a little hot soapy water to clean the lock mechanism and remove any grit or grime that has built up over time. After you've cleaned your locks, let them dry completely before re-using them. The majority of patio doors are secured using mortise locking mechanisms. This is a safe lock, but it can also cause issues with time. If your uPVC locks are stuck, you must first clean and lubricate them. For a uPVC lock, you can start by cleaning the latch plate with a little of soapy water. The next step is to remove the screws that hold the latch body in place. After you have the latch plate as well as handle removed, you'll be ready to remove the latch itself from its slot in the door frame. After the latch has been removed and lubricated, you can apply by using a lubricant for engineering like WD40. If you don't own WD40, you can also use a graphite pencil to help dislodge any grit or dirt in the mechanism. If your uPVC lock doesn't work, you might need to reposition the lock cylinder. This will require some additional tools and is best done by a professional. You can practice repositioning a cylinder without needing to remove it from the door. Close and open the door while the cylinder is in the lock position. Then make pencil marks on the frame where the screws that hold the locking cylinder are. Lubricate the Lock When your lock is free from dirt and debris it's a good idea to lubricate the keyhole as well as the locks themselves. Using the right type of lubricant can keep your lock in good condition, and extends its life. Dry graphite is a fantastic way to lubricate small metal parts, like locks. It's non-sticky and oily. It is also more durable 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-type graphite lubricant that is 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 liquid lubricants. They work well at low and high temperatures. Certain silicone lubricants may get accumulated over time and eventually replace other lubricants that you've used. Teflon-based lubricants are an excellent alternative to silicone lubricants because they're long-lasting and don't attract dust and dirt. They're also suitable for cold environments because they'll stop the accumulation of ice inside the lock. If the lock cylinder you have is stiff and difficult to turn, then it is probably worn out. It's going to need to be replaced. A professional locksmith will disassemble the lock mechanism and replace it with a new cylinder matched to the keys you have. They can also repair and modify existing locking 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 put a new lock faceplate on your patio door to be in line with the rest of the hardware. Reposition the Lock Cylinder If cleaning and lubricating the door doesn't work, the issue could be due to the latch on the door isn't aligned correctly with the jamb or frame. Open the sliding patio door, and take a look upwards and downwards at the latch opening. If the door is aligned with the jamb or the frame then you can test. If not, remove the screws fixing the latch body and adjust it upwards or downwards until the latch is securely catching the latch hasp when the door closes. The latch is also sometimes difficult to close because the cylinder is worn. It is necessary to replace the cylinder if the worn cylinder is making it difficult to turn the key. You should choose one with the same keyway and size as the one you had previously. This will allow you to replace it with ease by unbolting the two halves and putting in the replacement cylinder. Many home improvement stores carry replacement cylinders. You'll have to know the manufacturer and model of your existing cylinder to be able to purchase one that matches it. If you don't have the model or manufacturer you can take a photograph of the cylinder along with its mounting screws and go to an hardware store for assistance. Once you have a new cylinder, unscrew the screw with a flat head that holds it in place, and remove the plate that holds it in place. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the lock cylinder, escutcheon plates and lock from the door and the door frame. Set the screw somewhere secure so that you don't lose it. Then, loosen the set screw that is on the cylinder keep (the metal piece that fits into the rectangular hole in the door). Replace the Lock A patio door lock that isn't working properly could pose an immediate security risk. It's not common for dirt and other debris to become lodged in the lock mechanisms If this isn't addressed promptly, the lock can eventually fail and no longer provide security. It's a straightforward DIY project to replace the patio door lock. It's all you need are just a few tools and a bit of time. Begin by inspecting the lock and determining the cause of the problem. If cleaning and lubricating the lock latch does not work the latch could be bent too far to function properly. In this instance, it would be best to replace the latch with a new mortise lock to ensure it's as strong and secure as is possible. If you aren't comfortable tackling this DIY task yourself contact a locksmith or door hardware specialist to assist you with the installation of the new lock. They will have the experience and tools to complete the task correctly and ensure that the new lock will work with your patio door. Regular maintenance is the key to ensure that your patio door lock working properly. Check that the knobs and handles aren't loose and tighten them if necessary. Lubricate your lock at least once per year to prevent it from sticking or becoming stiff. Locks that are exposed to heavy use or extreme temperatures should be lubricated regularly. It is important 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 onto the key hole of the lock mechanism.