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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Keep your patio doors in a good condition to safeguard your home from intruders. However, the elements can cause the doors and their locks to become misaligned or damaged. If your patio door lock does not work properly it is possible to make basic repairs at home. These steps will fix issues with the latch, keyway and handle. Inspect the Lock Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars because of the large amount of glass and their convenient location within a home. Having well-functioning locks is therefore essential to ensure that your home's security. Fortunately, there are easy methods to troubleshoot or fix patio door locks that have stopped working correctly. The first step is to inspect the lock to ensure nothing is blocking it from latching or locking. If you notice any issues such as loose screws or rust, or misalignment, these should be addressed immediately. In some cases an adjustment of the door's location could be sufficient to fix the issue. Another common issue is dust or debris that can cause the lock mechanism to stop functioning properly. To avoid this occurring, be sure to clean your patio door regularly and wipe down the lock's hardware. If needed, you can use a mild soap solution. However, make sure to dry the lock completely afterwards. It is also a good idea to to regularly oil your lock. The moving parts in your uPVC patio lock are similar to those in a precision-tuned machine. They are susceptible to jamming and become stuck like any mechanical device. Using graphite pencils or a light lubricant will help get rid of any dirt or debris that may have accumulated within the lock cylinder and keep it operating smoothly. The exact dimensions of your patio door lock is important. This can help you find a replacement lock that aligns perfectly with the existing mechanism. If you're unsure of how to do it you can contact a professional locksmith or tradesperson to get help. Clean the Lock Over time, cold and hot weather dust and dirt can cause the intricate components of your door lock to get blocked. These problems can threaten your home's security. But it's simple to fix these issues when you know how. Clean your lock before attempting any repairs. With a damp cloth, remove any debris or stains that may be preventing your lock from functioning properly. Use hot soapy water and a small amount of grit to clean the mechanism of your lock. Allow your locks to dry completely after cleaning them. Most patio doors use a mortise lock that is safe however, it is susceptible to issues in the course of time. If your uPVC lock has become stuck the first step is to clean and lubricate it. Begin by cleaning the latch with hot soapy water. Then, take off the screws that are holding the body of the latch in place. After you have removed the latch plate and handle and handle, you can then remove it from its slot on the door frame. Once the latch has been removed then you can lubricate it using a light engineering lubricant like WD40. If you don't own WD40 or a graphite pencil, a graphite pens can be used to clean dirt and grit off the mechanism. If your uPVC locks are still not working, you may need to reposition lock cylinder. This requires additional tools and should be handled by professionals. You can try repositioning the cylinder without removing it from the door by opening and closing the door while keeping the cylinder in the lock position, then drawing pencil marks on the inside of the frame where the screws are that keep the cylinder in place. Lubricate the Lock When your lock is free of dirt and debris, it's a good time to lubricate the keyhole as well as the locks themselves. Lubricants that are properly applied will keep your lock in good condition and prolong its lifespan. Dry graphite powder is ideal for lubricating small metal components like locks since it's not sticky or oily and lasts for longer than liquid lubricants. It's easy to apply and you can apply it to sliding doors, door hinges, and garage door tracks. Master locksmith Shawn Fago recommends using a pencil-type graphite lubricant that is designed specifically for lock cylinders. Liquid lubricants can be more effective than graphite especially in humid climates. Silicone lubricants are resistant to water and will not attract as much dust and dirt as other types of liquid fluids. They are effective in high and low temperatures. Certain silicone lubricants get accumulated over time, and can displace other lubricants you've tried. 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 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 put in the cylinder of a new model that matches the keys you have. They can also repair or modify existing locking mechanisms. upvc patio door repairs near me Repair My Windows And Doors can also replace the lock cylinder if the door isn't equipped with one. This will increase safety and security. They can also install new lock faceplates on your patio door to match the rest. Reposition the Lock Cylinder If cleaning and lubricating it doesn't work, the problem could be that the latch on the door isn't properly aligned with the jamb or frame. Open the sliding patio doors and look up and down at the opening for the latch. If the door is parallel to the jamb or the frame, then you can check. If not then loosen the screws that hold the latch in place and adjust it upwards or downwards until the latch catches the latch's hasp with a tight snap when the door is closed. Sometimes, the latch is difficult to close because of a worn-out cylinder. You'll require a new cylinder if the worn one is making it difficult to turn the key. You should choose one with the same keyway and size like the one that came before it. This will allow you to change it quickly by removing the two halves before inserting the new cylinder. You can purchase replacement cylinders at many home improvement stores. You'll have to know the manufacturer and model of your current cylinder in order to buy one that is compatible with it. If you don't have the manufacturer or model number, take a picture of the cylinder along with its mounting screws, and then go to an hardware store for help. When you have a new cylinder, unscrew the flat screw that holds it in place and remove the plate that holds it in place. Remove the lock cylinder, the escutcheon and door frame with the help of a screwdriver. Set the screw somewhere secure so that you aren't able to lose it. Then, loosen the set screw on the cylinder's keep (the metal part that fits into the rectangular cutout of the door) and loosen it enough to allow the cylinder to rotate. Replace the Lock A patio door lock that isn't functioning properly could pose a serious security risk. Dirt and debris could get stuck within the lock mechanism. If this is not taken care of promptly, the lock may eventually stop working and won't longer offer security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively simple DIY project that requires only a few tools and a bit of time. Begin by examining the lock to see what's causing the issue. If lubricating and cleaning don't help, the lock latch could be bent too much to perform as it should. In this case, it would be best to replace the latch with a new mortise lock to ensure it is as secure and strong as is possible. If you aren't comfortable tackling this DIY project yourself seek out an expert locksmith or door hardware specialist to help you with the installation of the new lock. They'll have all the tools and expertise needed to install the lock correctly. Keeping your patio door lock in good condition is a matter of routine maintenance. Make sure the knobs and handles aren't loose and tighten them as needed. Lubricate the lock at least once a year to prevent 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. The type of lubricant is vital, so be certain to select one specifically designed to be used on locks (GT85 or WD-40's Specialist Friction Dry PTFE). Apply the lubricant directly to the keyhole of the lock mechanism for the best results.