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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks

Keeping your patio doors in good order will help protect your home from unwanted intruders. The elements can cause misalignment or damage to your patio doors and their locks.

You can repair your patio door lock on your own if it is not working properly. These steps will fix problems with the handle, keyway and latch.

Check the Lock

Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars because of the large amount of glass and their convenient position within a home. Having well-functioning locks is therefore essential to ensure that your home is secure. Fortunately, there are easy ways to troubleshoot and repair patio door locks that aren't working correctly.

The first step is to examine the lock to see if anything is preventing it from latching or locking. You should deal with any issues you spot such as loose screws or corrosion. In some cases the slightest adjustment to the direction of the patio door might be enough to fix the issue.

Dust or debris can also cause the lock mechanism to fail to work properly. Clean your patio door and wipe down all lock hardware regularly to avoid this. If needed, you can apply a mild soap solution. However, you must be sure that you dry the lock completely afterward.

Additionally, it's recommended to oil the lock on a regular basis. Many of the moving parts of your uPVC patio door lock are similar to the parts of a fine-tuned machine, so they can get stuck and jammed just like any other mechanical device. A graphite pencil, or a tiny amount of lubricant, can be used to clean any dirt or debris from the lock cylinder. This will ensure that it is running at a high speed.

Identifying the exact dimensions of the patio door lock is also important. This will help you choose the perfect lock to match the existing mechanism. If you're unsure of how to do it get help, consult a professional tradesperson or locksmith to get help.

Clean the Lock

The intricate parts of the door lock can become jammed due to dirt, dust, and hot and cold weather. These problems can compromise your home's security. These problems are easy to solve if you know how to do.

Clean your lock prior to making any repairs. Clean any stains and debris with a moist cloth. Then, use a small amount of hot soapy water to wash the mechanism of the lock and get rid of any grime or grit that has built up over time. Dry your locks completely after cleaning them.

The majority of patio doors are secured with a mortise locking system. This is a secure lock but can develop issues with time. If your uPVC lock has become stuck, the first step is to clean and lubricate it. For a uPVC lock, you can start by cleaning the latch plate with a bit of soapy water. Then, take off the screws that hold the body of the latch in the position. With the latch plate and handle removed, you'll be able to remove the latch from its slot in the door frame.

Once the latch has been removed and lubricated, you can apply using a light engineering lubricant like WD40. If patio door maintenance don't own WD40 or similar product, you can use a graphite pencil to help remove any dirt or grit in the mechanism. If your uPVC locks still don't work you may have to relocate the lock cylinder. This requires some additional tools and is best done by a professional. However, you can practice shifting the cylinder, without taking it from the door by closing and opening the door with the cylinder in the lock position, after which drawing pencil marks on the inside of the frame where the screws are that keep the cylinder in place.

Lubricate the Lock

If your lock is clean of debris and dirt It's the perfect time to lubricate the keyhole as well as the locks themselves. Using the right kind of lubricant helps keep your lock in good shape, which will extend its life.

Dry graphite is an excellent method to lubricate small metal parts, such as locks. It's non-sticky and oily. It is also more durable than liquids. It is easy to use and is suitable for use on sliding doors tracks for garage doors and hinges for doors. Master locksmith Shawn Fago suggests using a pencil-like graphite lubricant that is designed specifically for lock-cylinders.

Liquid lubricants are more effective than graphite, especially in humid climates. Silicone lubricants resist water and will not attract as much dust or dirt as other kinds of liquid fluids. They are suitable for both low and high temperatures. Certain silicone lubricants may get accumulated over time, and displace other lubricants you've tried.

Teflon-based lubricants are an excellent alternative to silicone lubricants because they're long-lasting and do not attract dirt and dust. They're also ideal for cold environments, as they prevent the build-up of ice within the lock.

If your lock's cylinder feels stiff and difficult to turn, it's likely to be worn out. It will need to replaced. A professional locksmith can dismantle the lock mechanism, and then install a new cylinder that matches your existing keys. They can also repair and modify existing locking mechanisms. If your door isn't equipped with an cylinder for your lock an expert can replace it to increase security and security. They can also install a new lock faceplate on your patio door to match the rest of the hardware.

Reposition the Lock Cylinder





If lubricating the lock and cleaning it doesn't work, the problem may be that the door's latch is not properly aligned with the side jamb or door frame. Open the sliding patio door, and examine the top and bottom of the latch opening. If the door is parallel to the jamb or the frame, then you can check. If not, loosen screws that hold the latch body and adjust it upwards or downwards until the latch is securely catching the latch hasp when the door is closed.

The latch can also be difficult to close as the cylinder is worn. You'll need a replacement cylinder if the worn one is making it difficult to turn the key. It is recommended to select a cylinder with the same keyway and dimensions like the one that came before it. This will allow you to replace it with ease by unscrewing the two halves and inserting the replacement cylinder.

You can find replacement cylinders at many home improvement stores. You'll need the name and model number of the existing cylinder to purchase an alternative. If you don't have the model or manufacturer you can take a photograph of the cylinder and its mounting screws and head to a hardware store to get assistance.

Once you have the new cylinder installed, unscrew it from the flat screw holding it in place. Take off the escutcheon. Use a screwdriver for the removal of the lock cylinder and escutcheon plate from the door and door frame. Place the screw in a safe place to ensure that you don't lose 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 allow the cylinder to rotate.

Replace the Lock

A patio door lock that's not functioning properly could pose a serious risk to your security. Dirt and debris can become stuck in the lock mechanisms. If this is not treated promptly, the lock may eventually stop working and will no longer offer security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively simple DIY project that requires only a few tools and bit of time.

Begin by inspecting the lock to determine what's causing the issue. If cleaning and lubrication don't aid, the latch may be bent too much to perform as it should. If this is the case, you should replace the lock latch with a mortise locking system to ensure it's as strong and secure as it can be.

If you aren't comfortable tackling this DIY project yourself seek out a locksmith or door hardware specialist to assist you with the installation of the new lock. They'll have the expertise and tools to do it correctly and ensure that the new lock works with your patio door.

Keeping your patio door lock in good condition is a matter of regular maintenance. Check that the knobs and handle aren't loose and, if they are, tighten them as needed. Lubricate the lock at least every year to avoid 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 is specifically designed for locks (WD-40's Specialist Dry PTFE Anti Friction or GT85). For the best results apply the lubricant direct onto the key hole of the lock mechanism.